About Us

Who We Are

The Kern National Network for Flourishing in Medicine (KNN) is a national movement whose work is focused on the integration of four foundational elements within the profession of medicine: character, caring, practical wisdom and flourishing. We advance this work in the following ways: connecting and convening stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem, catalyzing transformative initiatives, and influencing policy and systems change.

When clinical learning environments, practice settings and health systems cultivate wholeness of being and purpose—along with competence and continuous improvement—then those within can truly flourish. That’s the aspirational goal of the KNN: Advancing character, caring and practical wisdom in medicine to ignite a positive culture change that helps individuals, community and society flourish.

The KNN partners with medical schools and other stakeholders nationwide to transform healthcare’s educational and practice settings and create the conditions of possibility for flourishing.

Vision

The KNN aspires to promote flourishing through the profession of medicine.

Mission

The KNN will foster character, caring and practical wisdom in the profession of medicine through efforts with health professions education, healthcare systems, network partners and society.

Core Values

• We strive to ensure that those who work, learn, care and discover in our institutions flourish
• We seek to cultivate deep listening, open inquiry and respectful dialogue across a variety of viewpoints
• We support principled innovation, scholarship and lifelong learning to create communities of excellence that drive future advances
• We recognize the importance of personal responsibility and conduct our work with respect, integrity and authenticity
• We embrace creating cultures of belonging and constructive engagement that recognize the dignity and full potential of all individuals

Framework for Flourishing

The KNN's framework is the north star for all we do and shows how character, caring and practical wisdom offer a potential path to flourishing.

Access framework

Progress Reporting

The KNN produces regular progress reports covering the network's governance, program office, initiative activities and other highlights. 

View latest report

KNN Program Office