Transformational Times
Words of Hope, Character & Resilience from our Virtual Community
Friday, January 15, 2021
Director's Corner
  • Adina Kalet, MD, MPH: Emotional Whiplash: Medical Educators and Mr. Olympia Respond “Just in Time” with Character, Caring, and Competence

Leadership Perspectives/Opinions
  • Jake Prunuske, MD, and Amy Prunuske, PhD: Integrating the Basic and Clinical Sciences in the Minds of Learners: Where the Rubber Meets the Road in Transforming Medical Education
  • Fabrice Jotterand, PhD: The P-METaL Lab: It's More Than Rock n' Roll
  • Jeff Fritz, PhD, and Tavinder K. Ark, PhD: Motivation
  • Jane Machi, MD: The Battle Against Chronic Self-Doubt: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
  • Balaraman Kalyanaraman, PhD: Reimagine: It's Easy if You Try
  • David L. Joyce, MD, MPH: Beginning with the End in Mind

Transformational Snaps
  • Sarah Torres and Anna Visser

Poetry Corner
  • Sophia Scholtz: Stepping-Stone

Your Turn
  • See how readers answered last week's prompt: What are you looking forward to doing this week?
  • Respond to this week's prompt: What is your favorite thing about winter in Wisconsin?
  • Respond to this week's character question: Where do you go to appreciate the beauty of this season?

Announcements & Resources
  • Register for Kern's Upcoming Virtual Events
  • Apply to the Kern Institute's Faculty Scholars Program
  • Learn How You Can Be Involved in the MCW Common Read
  • Kern National Network News & Events
Director's Corner
Emotional Whiplash: Medical Educators and Mr. Olympia Respond “Just in Time” with Character, Caring, and Competence

by Adina Kalet, MD, MPH

This week, Dr. Kalet highlights what educators (and Governors) are doing to care for and prepare students and residents to continue to thrive in these emotionally trying times...

You, the intern coming on duty in the morning, find Angie – the “night float” intern from whom you expect to take patient sign-out – sitting and staring at the computer screen. She looks exhausted, her hair disheveled, white coat and scrubs stained and rumpled, a five-pound bag of M&Ms and 16 oz. Diet Coke, both empty, at her side. The usual scene.

“Tough night?” you ask in an empathic but jovial manner.

She looks up and, without her usual wry smile and says, “I can’t this handle this anymore.”

What do you say?

Do you smile knowingly and turn your attention to the patient list, so you can get things done before morning report? Do you find out she has been unable to concentrate on her work, is socially isolated, has a history of depression, and needs to drink four beers each night just to be able to fall asleep? Do you ask about suicidality? How is this different from what you would do if Angie were a patient? Do you strongly recommend she reach out, and offer to walk with her to the residency program director immediately?

If you answered “no” to these questions, you are not be alone. Trainees rarely take that first step.
Perspective/Opinion
Integrating the Basic and Clinical Sciences in the Minds of Learners: Where the Rubber Meets the Road in Transforming Medical Education

by Jacob Prunuske, MD, MSPH and Amy J. Prunuske, PhD – Faculty, MCW-Central Wisconsin

Drs. Prunuske describe a recent workshop that illustrates the key concepts to transforming medical education…

On November 24, 2020, MCW hosted an event co-sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs and the Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Institute for the Transformation of Medical Education that reflected MCW’s commitment to transforming how we approach medical education. The afternoon event consisted of a plenary and two workshops.
Perspective/Opinion
The P-METaL Lab: It's More Than Rock n' Roll

by Fabrice Jotterand, PhD, MA – Director, Kern Institute Philosophies of Medical Education Transformation Laboratory (P-METaL)


Dr. Jotterand describes the concepts behind and the goals for the Kern’s new laboratory…

German philosopher Martin Heidegger believed philosophy was very important for physicians, especially in light of the increasing technologizing of clinical practice. In the 1960s, psychiatrist Medard Boss invited him to give a series of lectures to physicians in the Swiss town of Zollikon, near Zurich, on the use of his philosophy in psychotherapy. During one of his talks, Heidegger noted that “it is of utmost importance that we have thinking doctors, doctors who do not rest content with abandoning the field of medicine to scientific technicians.” Heidegger’s point here was not to say that physicians do not think or that they embrace uncritically technology. He had in mind a different kind of thinking, one that recognizes the dangers and limitations of thinking only within the boundaries of a medical-technico-scientific framework and acknowledges the contribution of philosophical explorations to medicine.
Perspective/Opinion
Motivation

by Jeff Fritz, PhD, and Tavinder K. Ark, PhD


Drs. Fritz and Ark explore how striving for intrinsic motivation in all aspects of life promotes human flourishing…

Have you ever wondered what really gets you out of bed in the morning? Is it the alarm? Is it a passion to dig into the fun areas of your work-world? Is it simply fear of losing employment or feeling behind on work? Maybe it’s the need to get breakfast and deal with other biological demands. Motivations may not be that big of a deal around getting out of bed, but once you get up, finish your morning routine, and sit down at your desk or computer, what next? Do you bring that motivational perspective throughout the day? And how does that influence your experiences throughout the day? All this reflection about motivation got us wondering about the role of motivation in learning.
Perspective/Opinion
The Battle Against Chronic Self-Doubt: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

by Jane Machi, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Emergency Medicine); Assistant Dean of Admissions and Recruitment, Medical College of Wisconsin

Dr. Machi describes her own struggle with Imposter Syndrome and offers support and suggestions for others who might be facing their own battles…

Imposter Syndrome (IS), imposter phenomenon, and imposterism have all been used to describe one’s feelings of not belonging, sense of fraudulence, and being convinced of not being good enough despite having credentials and accomplishments that would suggest otherwise. Persons suffering from IS lack the ability to internalize achievements, instead attributing any success to luck rather than competence. In addition, they fear being “found out” and exposed as a fraud.
Perspective/Opinion
Reimagine: It's Easy If You Try

by Balaraman Kalyanaraman, PhD – Professor & Chair, MCW Department of Biophysics; Harry R. & Angeline E. Quadracci Professor in Parkinson's Research

Dr. Kalyanaraman takes a spirited look at the process of how we can reimagine many aspects of our lives, as well as our research (including the inspiring story of a COVID-19 researcher to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude), our relationships, and our health…

“Anything you do I can do better, but only if you do it first. That’s because I have no imagination, only a re-imagination.”
–Andrew Keith Walker

Right now, I bet you are telling someone, or have been asked, to reimagine some aspect of your work or life. Or perhaps you are reading about or watching an advertisement focused on reimagining. But what does reimagine mean? According to Merriam-Webster, the first use of the word was in 1825, and it is now among the top 1% of words that are looked up. I don’t know about you, but the word “imagine” makes me happy; hearing it frees up space in my brain. Conversely, the word “reimagine” makes me feel tense and anxious; it sounds task oriented and somewhat contrived! Well, the more I’ve pondered the word “reimagine,” the more I’ve realized I do not have to feel this way! 
Perspective/Opinion
Beginning with the End in Mind

by David L. Joyce, MD, MPH – Cardiothoracic Surgery


In this essay, Dr. Joyce challenges all of us to explore the proven value of connecting the tasks we accomplish with the people they benefit, even if our patient will shortly be under general anesthesia…


The first public use of inhaled ether on October 16, 1846 in the Bullfinch Building at Massachusetts General Hospital ushered in one of the most dramatic periods in the history of medicine. A quick glance at the daily Froedtert Hospital operative schedule reveals an impressive display of technical mastery that echoes the words John Collins Warren uttered on that day: “Gentlemen, this is no Humbug.” But like the healthy tissue that was removed to achieve negative margins on the tumor in Edward Abbott’s neck, the ability to perform surgery safely requires the placement of distance between the patient and the operating room team. Beyond just the physical barrier imposed by surgical drapes, losing our ability to interact and communicate with patients removes one of the most important sources of motivation and job satisfaction for those of us involved in procedural specialties.  
COVID Testing
by Theresa Maatman, MD
This week, we’re excited to share a poem from the Narrative Medicine course written by Sophia Scholtz. Sophia is a fourth-year medical student at MCW who plans to begin internal medicine residency next year. Given the virtual nature of residency interviews this fall, she found time to take a narrative medicine elective, prompting her to read, write, and reflect.


Stepping-Stone
by Sophia Scholtz


Please don’t answer.
Please don’t answer.
No answer. “This number has been disconnected”
Relief, but then - Oh god, now what?
 
A shadow next to me (am I wearing horse blinders? I feel like I am): “The daughter just called this afternoon. I have her number right here.” Dammit.
The slow sinking in my stomach shifts and tightens into a hard knot.
My head feels light.
The lump in my throat is getting higher, and I know it’s full of hot, ugly tears. I swallow it back down as coolly as I can. Copy the phone number down. Tell my feet to walk to the phone again.
Dial slowly, every part of my body still, but vibrating imperceptibly with panic.
Do these people really believe I’m calm and collected right now?
 
She answers.
By some miracle, I remember to give an introduction.
I remember to fire the warning shot (even though I’ve never fired a gun in my life).
“I’m so sorry to tell you this, Alicia, but your Mom’s heart just stopped.”
 
Mine stops. I can feel hers stop.
I hate the words as soon as they fill the empty space.
 
“Alicia, her wishes were to be resuscitated so that is what we are doing right now. We are giving her CPR.” Alicia says she understands.
“Alicia, we are doing everything we can for her right now, okay?” Okay.
“Alicia, I’m so sorry to tell you this.” Okay. I can hear the waves of tears on her voice.
“Alicia, I’m so sorry to tell you this” (is the repetition because I need to hear it or because she does?)
Okay.
The lump in my throat makes a real effort now to explode into my eyes.
I force back the wave of tears, barely.
 
Eventually, the phone call ends.
My senior pats my arm – good job, you did really well.
Her attending looks at me with approval.
I go back to the team room, grateful they didn’t notice the tidal pools in my eyes.
I let a few precautionary tears escape in the bathroom.
I let the dam break when I get home.
The knot in my throat dissipates, but my head still spins.
 
“I’m so sorry to tell you this.”
“I’m so sorry to tell you this.”
I’m so sorry I had to tell you this,
I’m so sorry you had to hear this,
I’m so sorry you had to hear this from me.
I’m so sorry that your loss was my gained experience.
 
The next day, I receive praise from my senior and my attending.
They are proud of me, proud of ‘how I handled it.’
I feel pride tinged by a pervasive guilt.
I accept the emotions into the hard knot in my stomach.
They harden into a rock which I lay on the ground behind me – a stepping-stone.


I'm looking forward to getting back to a regular routine this week - exercise, eating healthy, and getting lots of good sleep.

-Anonymous, Staff

I'm looking forward to learning how to perform a newborn physical examination during my nursery shift this week."

-Sarah Torres, M3 Student

Respond to next week's reflection prompt:


What is your favorite thing about winter in Wisconsin?
Kern Grand Rounds Presentation
Women and COVID-19: 
Challenges, Opportunities, 
Thoughts for the Future

Please be sure to join us for Grand Rounds with Elizabeth Ellinas, MD,
Director of the MCW Center for the Advancement of Women in Science and Medicine (AWSM), Associate Dean for Women's Leadership, and Professor of Anesthesiology at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

The COVID-19 crisis has found women in the forefront of the battle against the pandemic both at work and at home. Please be sure to join as we consider the effects of COVID on women and their careers and share challenges by gender.
January 21, 2021
Live Virtual Presentation
9:00 - 10:00 am CT
Kern Grand Connection Cafe
Medical School Admissions: 
Past, Present, and Future

Please plan to join us for a Connection Cafe discussion with Jane Machi, MD, Assistant Dean of Recruitment and Admissions, and Alexis Meyer, MA, Director of Recruitment and Admissions at the Medical College of Wisconsin

Medical school admissions committees are charged with selecting students whose personal qualities and experiences align with the mission(s) of their schools and who will meet the needs of the diverse communities they will serve as physicians. 

Join us as we discuss our holistic admissions journey at MCW, emerging trends in medical school applicants and matriculants, and enhanced/additional challenges the admissions community has encountered as a result of the pandemic.
January 28, 2021
Live Virtual Presentation
4:00 - 5:00 pm CT
Kern Grand Grand Rounds
Healing in the Aftermath of Hate

Please Please plan to join us for a unique Grand Rounds discussion with Pardeep Singh Kaleka, Executive Director of Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, Founder of Serve2Unite, and published author of "The Gift of Our Wounds" and Arno Michaelis, author of "My Life After Hate" and co-author of "The Gift of Our Wounds."

When white supremacist Wade Michael Page murdered seven people and wounded four in a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin in 2012, Pardeep Kaleka was devastated. This tragedy followed by suicide would be one of the deadliest mass-murder hate crimes committed in US History. One of the victims that day was Pardeep’s father, Satwant Singh Kaleka. Meanwhile, Arno Michaelis, a former skinhead and founder of one of the largest racist skinhead organizations in the world, had spent years of his life committing terrible acts in the name of white power. When he heard about the attack, waves of guilt washed over him and he knew he had to take action to fight against the very crimes he used to commit.

In the aftermath of the Oak Creek shooting, Pardeep reached out to Arno for answers. What would follow this meeting was a journey of two men who breached a great divide to find brotherhood and love. In a world that seems to be tearing itself apart at the the seams, divided by identity, becoming more intolerant, xenophobic, and spiritually ill, it is essential that we remain committed to compassion. This talk will explore the role of both communal and individual trauma and healing.
February 18, 2021
Live Virtual Presentation
9:00 - 10:00 am CT
Apply to the Kern Institute Faculty Scholars Program


The Kern Institute announces two opportunities for faculty development through our Kern Scholars Program: 

Master of Health Professions Education
We are looking for faculty interested in pursuing a Master of Health Professions Education through the New York University Langone’s Department of Medicine. 

Master of Arts in Character Education
The Kern Family Foundation is graciously inviting any interested faculty member to apply for the Master of Arts in Character Education at the Jubilee Center for Character and Virtues at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. 
Participate in the MCW Common Read!

We are extremely moved by the overwhelming interest shown in this year’s Common Read program, featuring How to Be an Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. It is a true testament to your devotion to racial equity and determination to make the MCW community a safer and more inclusive place for all.

We understand that many of you are eager to get involved, so we have outlined some ways that you can participate via the link below.
KNN Discussion Series
Human Flourishing, Caring and Character in the Medical Profession: To What End?

Please plan to join us for this first session in a virtual panel series presented by the Kern National Network for Caring and Character in Medicine (KNN). Through this interactive discussion, you'll learn more about the interrelated concepts of caring and character within medicine and engage in a conversation with other healthcare professionals on the topic of promoting human flourishing. 
 
Learning Objectives
  • Appraise one’s own professional experience at the intersection of caring and character with human flourishing
  • Assess the state of human flourishing in the health ecosystem 
  • Commit to next steps to advance human flourishing in one’s professional practice

Featured Speakers
  • Andrea Leep Hunderfund, MD, MHPE, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
  • John Luk, MD, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin
  • Bonnie Miller, MD, MMHC, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the KNN Program Office
  • Moderator, Chris Stawski, PhD, Kern Family Foundation
January 26, 2021
Live Virtual Presentation
4:00 - 5:00 pm CT
The KNN’s mission is to promote human flourishing through the profession of medicine. Partnering schools include: Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, MCW Medical School, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
MCW COVID-19 Resource Center
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