Two weeks ago, the inaugural 2022 KNN Conference took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Throughout the two-day meeting, leaders and learners from across the country convened to acknowledge, learn and celebrate transformational work that is shifting the culture of medicine and advancing flourishing and purpose.

In a closing activity, participants were asked to submit a single word that described their conference experience. Words like inspired, humbled and optimistic were used to encapsulate the atmosphere of the inaugural conference. More key words can be found by clicking the word cloud below. 

The KNN's new online community was also introduced at the conference. The virtual community of practice was created as a space to learn, connect, catalyze and reconnect with joy and beauty in medicine, and put concepts of caring, character and practical wisdom into action to advance toward human flourishing.

To join the online community, click here to create your own profile and engage in meaningful discussion with peers from other institutions.

Thursday, September 29, 2022, marked the first day of the inaugural KNN Conference in Milwaukee.

The opening remarks given by Cheryl A. Maurana, PhD, introduced the KNN's Bridging Across Differences Toward Flourishing Initiative, which will provide a framework for engagement across groups and individuals with different views on topics.

In a roundtable led by KNN program manager Alverno Devine, DDiv, themes that support bridging conversations were explored. Read more on those key themes and what the future of flourishing could look like here.

Alverno Devine leads roundtable discussion regarding flourishing and bridging at the 2022 KNN Conference. Shown left to right: Adina Kalet, Jenny Hegland, Marni Grambau, Annette Caraulia, Alverno Devine (standing), Alicia Witten, Chris Stawski, Keyma Clark. (Photo by Jay Westhauser)

KNN Updates

Cheryl A. Maurana, PhD, and Kimara Ellefson, MBA, will deliver a keynote, “Cultivating a Caring Community Toward Flourishing” at the Character.org virtual forum October 19.

KNN board member John Luk, MD, has been named one of 11 visionaries of Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. Click here to read more on how he has helped to lead the charge in reshaping the role of academic medicine.

The KNN Faculty Development Initiative successfully completed the first pilot of the Mobilizing Character course in September.

Attending AAMC Learn Serve Lead next month? Visit the KNN at booth 531, join our reception on November 13, or sign up for a session on the KNN integrated framework. Watch for more details coming soon. 

Have an update to share? Please email us.

Upcoming Events 

October 25, 4–5 pm CT | Human Flourishing 2030: Flourishing in the Learning Environment

In this session, medical education leaders and learners will explore strategies for infusing human flourishing into learning experiences, as well as ways to become agents and beneficiaries of human flourishing within educational settings.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER >

October 27, 12–1 pm CT | Advocacy, Legislation and Voting: Keys for all Health Sciences Professionals

The Kern Institute at MCW is hosting a Connection Café conversation led by Alister Martin, MD, MPP, Assistant Professor, Harvard University, founder of Vot-ER, and recent White House Fellow. This Connection Café, open to all, is designed to enlighten, empower and embolden health sciences professionals, and to encourage engagement in the policy and legislative process.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER >

Resources



• Fostering Psychological Safety in the Clinical Learning Environment (Audio)  | KNN board member Andrea Leep Hunderfund, MD, is featured on an episode of Academic Medicine Podcast discussing teacher behaviors in medical education and how they can support learners' sense of psychological safety in clinical learning environments.
• Pathways to Global Flourishing (Video) | Watch as hosts and guests of the Flourish FM podcast explore and share perspectives on the multidimensional nature of flourishing.