May 29, 2025

A Gathering of Kindred Spirits

The Institute Which Shall Not be Named ceased to exist over a year ago, but the people whose careers were nurtured in the Institute have continued to publish books, build curriculum, teach the next generation, lead programs, share ideas, and transform medical education and the world in important ways. 

Some of the Institute alumni pictured here now lead or will soon lead new medical education efforts at UW-Madison, Chicago, Duke, OHSU, and MCW. 

I, for one, am grateful for the opportunities the Institute gave me to write, edit, and collaborate as my clinical career was winding down. Others, at different points of their careers, found inspiration, colleagues, and mentorship at the Institute. It truly was an incubator and a place where we all became better people doing what we believed was important work. We were stunned when we discovered that the people who controlled the purse strings felt what we were doing was not worthy of their continued support. Heads rolled. Those of us in the trenches had no idea what was going on or if we were to blame. 

So, to those who shut us down because you thought we were dangerously radical lunatics, well, your moment--like every moment--will pass. In the meantime, it turns out that your actions have spread our work further than it would have spread otherwise.

It was good to gather together. Godspeed, my friends. 

Bruce Campbell, MD