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About Us

KNNIn collaboration with health systems, organizations and institutions nationally, the KNN works to create the conditions for flourishing across the health ecosystem.

Learn about our impact so far: Latest Progress Report (PDF) >>

Who We Are

KNNThe Kern National Network for Flourishing in Health (KNN) is a movement dedicated to advancing flourishing across the health ecosystem.

Through research-based strategies that promote character, caring, and practical wisdom, the KNN partners with organizations to unlock their potential and build cultures that elevate everyone. 

Our strengths-based methods combine a robust guiding framework, scholar-practitioner approaches, deep subject matter expertise, and national peer collaboration to solve complex culture and workforce challenges.


Vision

The KNN aspires to advance flourishing in health for all.

 

Mission

The KNN will foster character, caring and practical wisdom across the health ecosystem through efforts with health professions education, healthcare systems, 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 Report

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

View latest report

KNN Program Office Team

Lamya Augusthy, MA

Program Coordinator
KNN Learner Network
laugusthy@mcw.edu


Desirae Bartos, MPH

Program Coordinator
Organizational Engagement
dbartos@mcw.edu


Nicole J. Borges, PhD

Director, Evaluation and Assessment
nborges@mcw.edu


Ellie Bradish

Education Program Coordinator
ebradish@mcw.edu
(414) 955-8075


Jerica Broeckling, MA

Program Director 
MCW Flourishing 
jbroeckling@mcw.edu


Elena Hernández Burke, MBA

Program Coordinator
Partnership Development and Relations
eburke@mcw.edu


Heather Carroll, PhD

Academic Writer
hcarroll@mcw.edu
 
 
 


Christine K. Cassel, MD

Professor of Medicine
Senior Advisor for Strategy and Policy
University of California, San Francisco
christine.cassel@ucsf.edu


Amanda Chablani, MA

Instructional Designer Sr.
achablani@mcw.edu
 
 
 
 


Alverno Devine, DDiv

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


Kimara Ellefson, MBA, EdD

National Director of Strategy and Partnerships
kellefso@mcw.edu
Bio


Justine Espisito, MS

Grants Operations Coordinator
jespisito@mcw.edu


Tara Fikejs, BSBM

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


Jeff Fritz, PhD

Associate Director
jefritz@mcw.edu
Bio


Rachel Hackbarth

Executive Assistant
rhackbarth@mcw.edu 
(414) 955-8075


Ciara Hartzog

Program Manager
MCW Flourishing
chartzog@mcw.edu


Anna Hassell, MA

Administrative Assistant Sr.
ahassell@mcw.edu


Ryan Hollis

Administrative Associate
rhollis@mcw.edu


Briana Huntsberger, MPAff, PMP

Program Manager
Organizational Engagement
bhuntsberger@mcw.edu


Brianna Johnson

Communications Associate
briannajohnson@mcw.edu


Antonina Johnston, MMEd, MS

Program Manager
KNN Projects
ajohnston@mcw.edu


Marissa Kalkman, MS

Senior Manager
Learning Consortium and Bridging
mkalkman@mcw.edu
(414) 955-2305
Bio


Abby Konopasky, PhD

Research Design and Evaluation – Qualitative
abigail.w.konopasky@dartmouth.edu
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Cheryl A. Maurana, PhD

Interim Provost
Stephen and Shelagh Roell Endowed Chair
Professor and KNN Founding Director
SVP, Strategic Academic Partnerships
Medical College of Wisconsin
cmaurana@mcw.edu
(414) 955-8075
Bio
 


Brandy Mize

Financial Assistant
bmize@mcw.edu


Rahma Omar, MPH

Program Manager
Learning Consortium
raomar@mcw.edu


Sarah Ozurumba

Program Manager 
KNN Learner Network
sozurumba@mcw.edu


Carletta M. Rhodes, MBA

Grants Operations Coordinator
MCW Flourishing
crhodes@mcw.edu


Rachael Sanford, MA

Communications Manager
rasanford@mcw.edu


Michaela Sarenac

Program Coordinator
Partnership Development and Relations
msarenac@mcw.edu
(414) 955-2520


Kelly Saunders

Program Manager
MCW Flourishing
kesaunders@mcw.edu


Georgina Selenica

Communications Consultant
gselenica@mcw.edu


Maria Steinert, MBA

Program Coordinator
Learning Consortium
msteinert@mcw.edu


Suzette Svoboda-Newman, MS

Program Director
snewman@mcw.edu
(414) 955-4952


Christine Van Hulle

Business Operations Coordinator
cvanhulle@mcw.edu
(414) 955-4997


Guillermo Vazquez-Toro, PhD, MBA, PMP

Program Director
Partnership Development and Relations
gvazqueztoro@mcw.edu


Sarah Williams

Director of Communications
sarwilliams@mcw.edu
(414) 955-4927


Alicia Witten

Program Director
awitten@mcw.edu
(414) 955-7407


Joëlle Worm, MPA

Administrator
Director of KNN Learner Network
jworm@mcw.edu
(414) 955-4152
Bio


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