Transformational Times
Words of Hope, Character & Resilience from our Virtual Community
Friday, April 16, 2021
In this Special Issue Focused on the Humanities:

Director's Corner
  • Adina Kalet, MD, MPH: "Ah! Bach!" and other Confessions of a "Humanities in Medical Education" Cynic, Converted

Perspectives/Opinions
  • Teresa Patitucci, PhD: Visual Art in Medical Education
  • Amy Domeyer-Klenske, MD: Opening the Drawer
  • Arthur R. Derse, MD, JD, FACEP: The MCW Medical Humanities Program and Medical Education - Where We've Come, Where We're Going
  • Scott Lamm, M3: Holding a Virtual Storytelling Event: MCW's MedMoth

Take 3
  • Wendy Peltier, MD and Lauren Stippich, M2

Poetry Corner
  • Rhea Martin - Dear America

Your Turn
  • See how readers responded to last week's prompt: How do you express yourself artistically?
  • Respond to this week's prompt: Who is your personal hero?
  • Respond to this week's character question: How can you show empathy this week?


Announcements & Resources
  • Watch Character and Medicine Panel Discussion
  • Volunteer for Saturday Clinic for the Uninsured
  • Register for Upcoming Virtual Events
  • Kern National Network News & Events
Editor's Corner
"Ah, Bach!" and other Confessions of a "Humanities in Medical Education" Cynic, Converted

by Adina Kalet, MD, MPH

In this Director’s Corner, Dr. Kalet admits to her own early arrogance about the introduction of the humanities in medicine and challenges us to find a rich and inspiring way forward using a character and caring framework…

Did you know that M*A*S*H, the comedy-drama television series that ran on CBS from 1972-83 and based on a movie of the same name, is one of the most highly rated US television shows in history? For the few who are unfamiliar, this remarkable ensemble piece told the fictional story of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, in Uijeongbu, South Korea, during the Korean War (1950–53). It ran for eleven seasons, spanning the final years of the Vietnam War and into the Cold War. There were 256 thirty-minute episodes. It was a literal modern War and Peace. As does most great art, M*A*S*H grappled with the most controversial political and humanistic issues of all times. The theme song, “Suicide is Painless,” is an indicator of how deeply philosophical the writing was, and how accessible the insights. In my estimation, it is the best medical drama ever written and performed. To each his/her own, right?
Perspective/Opinion
Visual Art in Medical Education

by Teresa Patitucci, PhD

Dr. Patitucci, a teacher of anatomy and neuroscience who founded the MCW Art Club, writes about how the visual arts can help students become empathetic observers, and shares how she has integrated the arts into her own experiences as an artist and teacher...


The humanities are often used to teach professionalism, including as a way to encourage emotional development through reflection, narrative, and creative arts. Visual art, specifically, tends to be used in medical education to develop clinical observation skills, empathy, and social skills, or for stress relief and resilience building. Visual art has long been used to study anatomy for both reflection and learning content. 
Perspective/Opinion
Opening the Drawer

by Amy Domeyer-Klenske, MD

Dr. Domeyer-Klenske writes about how engagement in the humanities makes students and residents better doctors, active listeners and more resilient humans …

 

I have long been interested at the intersection of humanities and medicine and felt challenged in my efforts to braid them together. I recall my enthusiasm to become a Doctor/Writer when I was a medical student and had an opportunity to interact with physician authors at the Examined Life Conference, held annually at University of Iowa. In one of these conversations, I was told I could put my writing interest in a metaphorical drawer during residency. I could allow myself to focus intensively on my training with the plan to re-open the drawer when I’d completed training. I left the conversation feeling a sense of freedom; I didn’t feel guilt or pressure to be too many things at once. Instead of Doctor/Writer I could just be Doctor.
Perspective/Opinion
The MCW Medical Humanities Program and Medical Education - Where We've Come, Where We're Going

by Arthur R. Derse, MD, JD, FACEP

Dr. Derse describes the development of medical humanities in medical education at MCW, including the MCW Medical Humanities Program …

Recently, the London newspaper, the Daily Telegraph, announced breaking news that according to research published by the Royal Society of Medicine, “Shakespeare should be included in training for medical students so they can improve their empathy towards patients.” The medical journal article showed how by studying William Shakespeare’s insights into humanity, physicians could learn to empathize better with patients. 
Perspective/Opinion
Holding a Virtual Storytelling Event: MCW's MedMoth

by Scott Lamm, M3

Mr. Lamm is one of the student leaders of MCW's MedMoth, a live storytelling event inspired by The Moth and Milwaukee's Ex Fabula. He reviews the most recent gathering and looks toward the future...


One year ago, I had no idea how we could make MCW’s MedMoth storytelling event virtual. While yes, storytelling can be accomplished on various platforms, I struggled to grasp how we could take an intimate night of face-to-face interaction and connection and build the same atmosphere from the comfort of one’s home. It was a task, though, that the MedMoth team was prepared to undertake to continue the program.
Take 3
Report on a Human-Centered Design Sprint for the Curriculum Re-Imagined

by Wendy Peltier, MD, and Lauren Stippich, M2

Dr. Wendy Peltier and second-year medical student, Lauren Stippich, share their experience from participating in the first Virtual Design Sprint Workshop on the proposed MCW Curriculum, sharing perspectives through the eyes of a student and senior faculty...


Dr. Wendy Peltier and Miss Lauren Stippich answer the following three questions:
  1. What surprised you the most about the session?
  2. Did you feel your voice was heard?
  3. As we reimagine the MCW curriculum, what do you see as important measures of success?
Rhea Martin is a Public Ally with Public Allies MKE and an Intern with the MCW Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Rhea reflects on their relationship with America as a queer person of color. 


Dear America

I wish I felt loved by you.
I wish I felt safe being with you.
I wish I could trust the promises of hope and progress you keep saying will come.

Like any love
It is not perfect 
There is beauty as well as sorrow 
To give unconditional love means to have trust
I wish I could trust you America
But I can’t 

and what’s worse 
Is that it breaks my heart to see that people are trying
beautiful, strong, devoted people fight for you
And maybe I’m not strong enough to give 
That trust

That doesn’t mean you are hopeless
Or less beautiful and vibrant and passionate 
Nor is anywhere else going to be perfect
I’m not naive to expect more than what can be given within the current climate 
But maybe we just don’t fit 
and that’s ok
I wish nothing but the best for you

To the man who almost ran me over today
Who didn’t stop
Who didn’t look back 
To the witnesses who walked away 
To the police that drove around my neighborhood pretending to look out for the community

How dare you have the audacity to put the words “Black Lives Matter” in your yards
and in your windows 
and bumper stickers on your cars

To the one POC who witnessed what happened and gave me a ride home and said
“Thank god you had good reflexes”
Thank you for doing the decent, human thing

I know it is not a crime to be 
A women
Queer
Or Black

But America
Stop gaslighting me 

America

Being with you it’s like being with an alcoholic
I don’t know whether to be pessimistic or optimistic that recovery is in your future
There are so many programs and so many resources
Your casual slurs and liveliness at parties used to be fun
And I know I can be easily accused of not being virtuous enough to see you through and see you get better
I feel like it is on my back to make it my responsibility for you to get better

You have made it so many people's responsibility to call you out on your history and your lack of transparency of your habits habits you keep and how you destroy communities
But you are like my family
I would not be who I am without you
To have criticism does not mean I don’t see you for who you are
More
So much more than a simple word 
A moment 
A feeling 
I get so mad when others treat me better
Because I want to feel that love and acceptance 
from you

Show me I can believe in you
I want to trust you 

I want to walk down the street and feel safe
As a queer
Black 
Women
I google, safest places to live In America
Then I remember 
Back space 
Safest places for black queer women to live in America
Because there is a difference

Am I the problem
And I the problem in this relationship?
You shrug your shoulders
And I guess it depends

What am I wearing 
Where are you from
Did I say what I said the right way
Do I care too much?
Are you on your period?
Are my standards a little bit too high

I don’t know
But I’ll keeping working on things that are in my control
I am still standing today
I know about us right now, let’s take a break
hand_holding_note.jpg

I love to play music, write essays, and write essays about playing music.

–Richard L. Holloway, PhD, Faculty
I love to knit. The process is very therapeutic for me, and I truly enjoy making things for others to enjoy. Every year, I set a goal for a new knitting skill to learn, such as making socks or learning to knit cables. This year, I've decided to learn how to crochet as well!

–Kerrie Quirk, MEd, Staff

Photography, particularly of landscapes and nature.

–Sarah Torres, Student

Respond to next week's reflection prompt:


Who is your personal hero?
Character and the Professions Conference
Character and Medicine Lecture

View Adina Kalet, MD, MPH, discussing Character and Medicine as part of a panel at the Character and the Professions Conference, hosted by Wake Forest University and the Oxford Character Project, March 18-20, 2021.
Volunteer Opportunity
Saturday Clinic for the Uninsured

The Saturday Clinic for the Uninsured is expanding its patient load and specialty physician options for patients and are in need of more dedicated physicians to volunteer their time to serve our uninsured population as well as further educate our medical student volunteers on how to best care for these underserved communities.

Physicians interested in volunteering their time to serve the uninsured should contact Morgan Leissring, M1.
Kern Institute Connection Cafe
Can I Tell You Something?


The path to medical school graduation is filled with a vast array of emotions and experiences that can sometimes prove to be challenging, but in the end, rewarding.

Please join us as we welcome M-4 students Mario Castellanos, Rachael Conger, Na'il Scoggins, and Sarah Suh for a joyful and celebratory café conversation as they share their departing thoughts with us.
April 22, 2021
Live Virtual Event
4:00 - 5:00 pm CT
KNN Discussion Series
Seeking Strength in Times of Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed personal and professional challenges for everyone, but particularly for those in the medical field. Under such circumstances, what does and can human flourishing look like? To what extent is it possible and equitable in times of crisis—now and otherwise?
 
In this session, three exceptional speakers will share perspectives from pastoral care, critical care and global health work to provide insight on navigating crises and lessons for cultivating resilience. A Q&A moderated by Chris Stawski, PhD, senior fellow for the Kern Family Foundation, will follow the speakers' presentations.
 
Featured Speakers:
  • Krista Gregory, MDiv, BCC, founder of the Center for Resiliency at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas
  • Daniela Lamas, MD, pulmonary and critical care doctor for Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • John Tarpley, MD, professor emeritus of surgery and anesthesiology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and professor of surgery and head of department at University of Botswana
April 27, 2021
Live Virtual Event
4:00 - 5:00 pm CT
MCW Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine
4th Biennial Suicide Symposium

Addressing the role of clinical intervention and the experience of patient loss to suicide.
Register via Ethos: http://ocpe.mcw.edu/
Specialties - Behavioral Health - Suicide Symposium

For more information, please contact Kiara Bond
(414) 955-7250
April 28, 2021
Live Virtual Event
8:30 am - 12:15 pm CT
Kern Institute Grand Rounds
Advocacy on the Frontlines: Supporting LGBTQ Patients in Combat and Beyond

Please plan to join us for a Grand Rounds presentation with Jesse Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH, Director of the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin (AHW) Endowment and Senior Associate Dean and Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine.

Dr. Ehrenfeld will discuss how advocacy can transform health care, health outcomes, and health equity in combat and beyond for LGBTQ+ patients and all marginalized populations.
April 29, 2021
Live Virtual Event
9:00 - 10:00 am CT
You are Invited to a Virtual Symposium
Understanding Medical Professional Identity Formation and Character Development Symposium

We are honored to invite you to attend a virtual symposium dedicated to advancing the impact of scholarship and innovation in professional identity and character development in medical education.

This symposium includes a keynote address from Adina Kalet, MD, MPH, concurrent workshop sessions, and Professional Identity Formation and Character Development Interest groups.
April 30, 2021
Live Virtual Event
9:00 am - 1:00 pm CT
7th Annual Carrie Falk Memorial Lecture
That's Unconscionable! Unconscious Bias in Palliative Care

This year's lecture will be presented by VJ Periyakoil, MD, Professor of Medicine, Associate Dean of Research (Geriatrics and Palliative Care), Founding Director Stanford Palliative Care Education & Training Program, and Stanford Hospice & Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program.
May 6, 2021
Live Virtual Event
10:00 am CT
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