The Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) is thrilled to announce that in partnership with the Kern National Network for Flourishing in Medicine (KNN), over the next three years, it will be working with a cohort of nine U.S. medical schools to identify innovative, effective methods and resources for bridging differences and overcoming polarization in academic medicine.

The selected schools expressed a deep commitment to bridging differences in clinical learning environments, and the cohort reflects a broad range of geographic settings, institution types, and learner populations.

Participating institutions are:
— Duke University School of Medicine
— Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
— Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at University of Buffalo–SUNY
— Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center–El Paso
— Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
— Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago
— University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
— Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
— Wake Forest University School of Medicine

"The ability to engage in dialogue across lines of difference is an essential skill in today's highly polarized climate," said Caroline Mehl, CDI's Co-Founder and Executive Director. "This initiative will help ensure that our future medical professionals will have the skills to work with colleagues and support patients regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, or identities in order to effectively continue their lifesaving work."

This project is in part made possible with the support of a three-year grant from the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, as well as support from the Kern Family Foundation. Funding for the KNN also is provided through a generous investment from the Kern Family Foundation.

As part of this project, CDI partnered with KNN to adapt CDI's evidence-based online learning program, Perspectives, which is designed to equip learners with the skills to engage in dialogue across differences. CDI and KNN developed a version of this program, called Perspectives for Academic Medicine, that is specifically tailored to the needs of medical schools.

This initiative is part of CDI's broader efforts to support institutions of higher education across the country in fostering dialogue and civic skills across their campuses.

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About the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI)
Co-founded in 2017 by psychologist Jonathan Haidt and Caroline Mehl, the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) is a non-profit organization that builds educational tools to equip Americans with the skills to communicate and collaborate across differences. To accomplish this goal, CDI translates the latest behavioral science research into educational resources that are evidence-based, practical, and scalable for institutions, educators, students, and communities.

About the Kern National Network for Flourishing in Medicine
The Kern National Network for Flourishing in Medicine (KNN) is a movement focused on integrating four foundational elements within the profession of medicine: character, caring, practical wisdom and flourishing. The KNN advances this work by connecting and convening stakeholders across the health ecosystem, catalyzing transformative initiatives, and influencing policy and systems change toward healthier, positive organizational cultures. Funding for the KNN is provided through a generous investment from the Kern Family Foundation and additional support.

Contact:
info@constructivedialogue.org