KNN Connection | April 21, 2022
Perspectives on Gauging Flourishing at the Organizational Level
As explored in the February 10 KNN Connection, the KNN continues to convene a group of healthcare stakeholders—learners, practitioners, medical educators, scholars and more—for the Mission: TransformMedicine series. This journey creates space for individuals across the healthcare ecosystem to wrestle with challenging questions on how to transform the culture of medicine for the better.

Driven by participant interest, March’s session explored possibilities for gauging flourishing at the organizational level to direct ongoing improvements, as well as to identify progress and recognize successes. In today’s challenging healthcare environment, flourishing requires that organizations create the conditions of possibility for those within to thrive. At the same time, significant time pressures and competing priorities heighten the need to leverage existing tools and metrics where possible to keep efforts manageable.

To inspire robust discussion on the topic, Regina Russell, MD, Assistant Professor of Medical Education and Administration at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and Valerie Dandar, Director of Medical School Operations Research and StandPoint Surveys Program at the Association of American Medical Colleges, delivered a thought-provoking introductory presentation. Each shared their experiences with how data can help understand and enhance levels of flourishing within organizations. From there, participants broke into small groups for further discussion and exploration.

What common themes emerged, and what existing tools did participants think could inform a measure of organizational flourishing? We invite you to find out in our latest white paper with key takeaways.
As always, if this topic sparks your interest, or if you have perspective to share, we invite you to let us know.

Kimara
Kimara Ellefson, MBA
National Director for Partnerships, KNN
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KNN Updates

Alverno Devine has joined the KNN program office and will be contributing to facilitation of convenings and key initiatives related to bridging across differences in healthcare.

On Friday, April 22, 2022, the KNN will lead a workshop at the Kern Institute's Understanding Medical Professional Identity and Character Development Symposium. Members of the KNN program office, founding member school leaders and students will present on the importance and impact of the KNN's Becoming series for medical students.

Have an update to share? Please email us.
Upcoming Events 

April 26, 4–5 pm CT | Human Flourishing 2030: Creating Organizational Cultures of Flourishing
The second session in this year's KNN online discussion series will feature the unique organizational cultures at Mayo Clinic, Ascension Health and Vanderbilt and will explore how they developed, as well as the ways they contribute to learners, practitioners and patients thriving.

Proposals Due: May 2 for KNN National Conference | Milwaukee, WI
The KNN is holding a national conference to share achievements while planning future innovations. There's still time to submit abstracts/presentation proposals before May 2.

May 25 | Applications Due for Gold Humanism Scholars to Attend the Harvard Macy Institute 2022/2023 Program for Educators
The Gold Foundation is sponsoring partial scholarships of $5,000 for up to two Gold Humanism Scholars.

Resources

Transformational Times Newsletter
MCW's Kern Institute publishes the Transformational Times e-newsletter weekly to deliver stories of hope, character and resilience from its virtual community.

Kern National Network | sarwilliams@mcw.edu | website