The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) received its single largest individual philanthropic gift of $37.8 million from the Kern Family and the Kern Family Foundation to establish the Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Institute for the Transformation of Medical Education (Kern Institute).
Leading the National Transformation Network, a collaborative of medical schools from around the country, MCW recognized the transformative impact that strategic philanthropy, dedicated leadership and sophisticated infrastructure make in advancing innovation in medical education.
The National Transformation Network includes MCW and founding partner schools Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, University of California – San Francisco School of Medicine, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
“MCW is deeply committed to the transformation of medical education and fostering the qualities of future physicians,” said John R. Raymond, Sr., MD, president and CEO of MCW. “The Kern Institute will advance innovative medical education models to better prepare medical students to face the challenges of our rapidly evolving 21st century healthcare environment.”
The Triple Aim for Health Care (enhancing patient experience, improving population health, and reducing cost) is widely accepted as the key to optimizing health system performance and reducing the burden of suffering from illness and disease. The Kern Institute will drive a national movement to transform medical education by proposing an equally important Triple Aim for Medical Education: character, competence, and caring. These elements of physician development are critical to partnering with patients, families, and communities for compassionate, evidence-based care, delivered with integrity.