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About Us

In collaboration with medical schools nationally and other stakeholders in the health ecosystem, the KNN is working to create the conditions for flourishing within the profession of medicine.

Learn about our impact so far: Gallery >> | Latest Progress Report >>

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 conduct our work with respect, integrity and authenticity
We embrace inclusion and diversity to advance equity
We support innovation, scholarship and life-long learning
We invest in our partners, collaborators and learners
We strive to ensure that those who work, learn, care and discover in our institutions flourish

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

Our History

Kern National Network members attending a lecture.

In partnership, and with support from the Kern Family Foundation, seven medical schools from across the United States formed the KNN in 2017 to build on shared strengths, speed innovation and collaboration, and drive national impact. Faculty, students, leadership, and staff at KNN founding partner schools work to advance character, caring and practical wisdom in medicine.

The Kern National Network founding members are:

Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
MCW Medical School
University of California San Francisco School of Medicine
Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Through its initial years, the KNN identified innovations that could be beta-tested and then integrated into educational practice.

In 2018, the KNN Board decided to expand the focus of the Network from medical education to the profession of medicine, with the ultimate goal to advance flourishing.

Today, the KNN continues its work in advancing innovations in medical education while beginning to shift focus more broadly from the role of training future physicians to re-examining the profession of medicine to emphasize character, caring and practical wisdom, as well as cultivating healthy, flourishing communities.

The Kern Family Foundation

Our Board

Donald W. Brady, MD
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Executive Vice President for Educational Affairs
Senior Associate Dean for Health Sciences Education
Professor of Medicine and Medical Education and Administration
KNN Board Member

Sonia N. Chimienti, MD
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education
Professor of Medicine
KNN Board Member

Adina Kalet, MD, MPH
Medical College of Wisconsin

Stephen and Shelagh Roell Endowed Chair, Professor and Director
Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Institute for the Transformation of Medical Education
Professor of Medicine
KNN Board Member

Andrea Leep Hunderfund, MD, MHPE
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Associate Professor of Neurology
KNN Board Member

Catherine Lucey, MD
University of California San Francisco School of Medicine

Executive Vice Dean and Vice Dean for Education
Faustino and Martha Molina Bernadett Presidential Chair in Medical Education
Professor of Medicine
KNN Founding Board Member

John Luk, MD
Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin

Assistant Dean for Interprofessional Integration
Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Medical Education
Distinguished Teaching Professor
KNN Board Member

Cheryl A. Maurana, PhD
Medical College of Wisconsin

MCW Eminent Scholar
Senior Vice President for Strategic Academic Partnerships
Professor of Population Health and Founding Director
Kern National Network for Flourishing in Medicine

Elizabeth Petty, MD
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Professor of Pediatrics
KNN Founding Board Member

Past Board Members

Nicole Borges, PhD
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

Chair and Professor of Medical Education
Immediate Past KNN Board Member

Susan Cox, MD
Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin

Executive Vice Dean of Academics, Dean's Office
Chair of the Department of Medical Education
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
President of the Alliance for Clinical Education
Immediate Past KNN Board Member and Founding Member

Bonnie Miller, MD, MMHC
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Senior Associate Dean for Health Sciences Education
Executive Vice President for Educational Affairs
Professor of Clinical Surgery
Past KNN Board Member and Founding Member

Gregory Ogrinc, MD, MS
American Board of Medical Specialties

Senior Vice President, Certification Standards and Programs
Past KNN Board Member and Founding Member

Formerly:
Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

Stephanie R. Starr, MD
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Director for Science of Health Care Delivery Education
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
KNN Founding Board Member

KNN Program Office

Lamya Augusthy

Digital Community Coordinator
laugusthy@mcw.edu

Bud Beatty, PhD

Senior Director for Evaluation
dbeatty@mcw.edu

Ellie Bradish

Administrative Associate
ebradish@mcw.edu
(414) 955-8075

Rebekah Brunner

Project Coordinator
rbrunner@mcw.edu

Susan Cox, MD

Senior Director for Strategic Engagement
suecox@austin.utexas.edu

Alverno Devine, DDiv

Program Manager
adevine@mcw.edu
(414) 955-4149

Kimara Ellefson, MBA

National Director of Strategy and Partnerships
kellefso@mcw.edu

Tara Fikejs, MSBM

Program Coordinator III
tfikejs@mcw.edu
(414) 955-4745

Brianna Johnson

Communications Associate
briannajohnson@mcw.edu
(414) 955-8313

Cheryl A. Maurana, PhD

MCW Eminent Scholar
Senior Vice President for Strategic Academic Partnerships
Professor of Population Health and Founding Director
cmaurana@mcw.edu
(414) 955-8075

Jean Moreland