STFM Leadership Opportunities

STFM offers a number of opportunities for members to get engaged in the leadership of the organization. Whether you are a new member or someone who has been a member of the Society for several years, there is a role to fit your interests and skills.

Board of Directors
Committees and Task Forces
Collaborative or Special Project Team Leader
Scholarly Activity Reviewer
Fellowship Leader
Liaison

Board of Directors

There are 17 members of the STFM Board of Directors.

Elected Board Members

  • President
  • President-Elect
  • Immediate Past President
  • Treasurer
  • Members at Large (3)
  • Resident Representative
  • Student Representative

Non-Elected Board Members

  • Standing committee chairs (6)
  • STFM Executive Director
  • STFM Foundation President

The STFM Nominations Committee selects a slate of candidates for the elected positions, except for the resident and student representatives, who are elected at the AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Students.

Individuals are welcomed to self-nominate. A call for nominees is published each year in the STFM Messenger.

Contact Mary Williams if you are interested in being considered for STFM Board service.

Committees and Task Forces

Committees

STFM standing committee members serve 2-year terms that are renewable for second terms. Positions are available on the following committees:

Committee members are expected to travel to attend one in-person and one virtual meeting per year; STFM covers travel expenses for in-person meetings. Conference calls are scheduled as needed.

Individuals are welcome to self-nominate. A call for nominees is published each year in the STFM Messenger.

Task Forces

As the need arises, STFM forms member task forces to tackle important projects. Follow the STFM Messenger for opportunities to serve.  ​

Collaborative or Special Project Team Leader

STFM Collaboratives and Special Project Teams work on common interest projects on an ongoing basis. Each Collaborative and Special Project Team has it's own governance structure, with leaders who provide direction and inspiration. Collaborative leaders submit annual goals to the Board of Directors and communicate regularly with an STFM Board liaison.

To be considered for a leadership role in a Collaborative or Special Project Team, join and get involved.

Scholarly Activity Reviewer

As an association dedicated to scholarship, STFM accepts self-nominations on an ongoing basis for the following:

Family Medicine Reviewer

Visit the reviewer center and create an account. You will be asked to identify your areas of interest/expertise which the editors of Family Medicine will use to match reviewers with appropriate manuscripts.

PRiMER Editorial Board

The Peer-Reviewed Reports in Medical Education Research (PRiMER) editor selects PRiMER Editorial Board members. Contact Sam Grammer.

PRiMER Reviewer

Fill out the PRiMER potential reviewer form. The information you provide will help the editors of PRiMER match reviewers with appropriate manuscripts.

Annual Spring Conference Reviewer

The STFM Program Committee welcomes assistance from members who wish to review the Annual Spring Conference submissions. Contact Melissa Abuel.

CERA Mentors/Reviewers

CERA is seeking experienced researchers to work with investigators to refine survey questions, help prepare manuscripts and abstracts, keep the survey team moving forward, and assist with data analysis. Contact Sam Grammer.

Fellowship Leader

Members have an opportunity to serve in a variety of leadership roles for the following:

  • Behavioral Science/Family Systems Educator Fellowship
  • CERA Fellowship
  • Emerging Leaders Fellowship
  • STFM Medical Editing Fellowship
  • Medical Student Educators Development Institute
  • Residency Faculty Fundamentals Certificate Program

Watch for calls for applications in the STFM Messenger.

Liaison

ACE Representative

The Alliance for Clinical Education is a consortium of eight clerkship director groups that sponsor joint projects and represent those groups at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Watch for an open call in the STFM Messenger.

Center for the History of Family Medicine Representative

This liaison is represents STFM at the bi-annual Center meeting and coordinates activities pertinent to the documentation and promotion of STFM's history. Travel to the one in-person Curator's meeting is paid by STFM. This is a 3-year term. Watch for an open call in the STFM Messenger.

WONCA Representative

This individual represents STFM at WONCA meetings. This is a 3-year position, appointed by the Board of Directors. Watch for an open call in the STFM Messenger.

Representative to the AAMC Council of Faculty and Academic Societies 

The STFM CFAS Representative STFM priorities at CFAS and potentially other areas within the AAMC. This is a 3-year position, appointed by the Board of Directors. Watch for an open call in the STFM Messenger.

Ask a Question
AI Chatbot Tips

Tips for Using STFM's AI Assistant

STFM's AI Assistant is designed to help you find information and answers about Family Medicine education. While it's a powerful tool, getting the best results depends on how you phrase your questions. Here's how to make the most of your interactions:

1. Avoid Ambiguous Language

Be Clear and Specific: Use precise terms and avoid vague words like "it" or "that" without clear references.

Example:

Instead of: "Can you help me with that?"
Try: "Can you help me update our Family Medicine clerkship curriculum?"
Why this is important: Ambiguous language can confuse the AI, leading to irrelevant or unclear responses. Clear references help the chatbot understand exactly what you're asking.

2. Use Specific Terms

Identify the Subject Clearly: Clearly state the subject or area you need information about.

Example:

Instead of: "What resources does STFM provide?"
Try: "I'm a new program coordinator for a Family Medicine clerkship. What STFM resources are available to help me design or update clerkship curricula?"
Why this is better: Providing details about your role ("program coordinator") and your goal ("design or update clerkship curricula") gives the chatbot enough context to offer more targeted information.

3. Don't Assume the AI Knows Everything

Provide Necessary Details:The STFM AI Assistant has been trained on STFM's business and resources. The AI can only use the information you provide or that it has been trained on.

Example:

Instead of: "How can I improve my program?"
Try: "As a program coordinator for a Family Medicine clerkship, what resources does STFM provide to help me improve student engagement and learning outcomes?"
Why this is important: Including relevant details helps the AI understand your specific situation, leading to more accurate and useful responses.

4. Reset if You Change Topics

Clear Chat History When Switching Topics:

If you move to a completely new topic and the chatbot doesn't recognize the change, click the Clear Chat History button and restate your question.
Note: Clearing your chat history removes all previous context from the chatbot's memory.
Why this is important: Resetting ensures the AI does not carry over irrelevant information, which could lead to confusion or inaccurate answers.

5. Provide Enough Context

Include Background Information: The more context you provide, the better the chatbot can understand and respond to your question.

Example:

Instead of: "What are the best practices?"
Try: "In the context of Family Medicine education, what are the best practices for integrating clinical simulations into the curriculum?"
Why this is important: Specific goals, constraints, or preferences allow the AI to tailor its responses to your unique needs.

6. Ask One Question at a Time

Break Down Complex Queries: If you have multiple questions, ask them separately.

Example:

Instead of: "What are the requirements for faculty development, how do I register for conferences, and what grants are available?"
Try: Start with "What are the faculty development requirements for Family Medicine educators?" Then follow up with your other questions after receiving the response.
Why this is important: This approach ensures each question gets full attention and a complete answer.

Examples of Good vs. Bad Prompts

Bad Prompt

"What type of membership is best for me?"

Why it's bad: The AI Chat Assistant has no information about your background or needs.

Good Prompt

"I'm the chair of the Department of Family Medicine at a major university, and I plan to retire next year. I'd like to stay involved with Family Medicine education. What type of membership is best for me?"

Why it's good: The AI Chat Assistant knows your role, your future plans, and your interest in staying involved, enabling it to provide more relevant advice.

Double Check Important Information

While the AI Chat Assistant is a helpful tool, it can still produce inaccurate or incomplete responses. Always verify critical information with reliable sources or colleagues before taking action.

Technical Limitations

The Chat Assistant:

  • Cannot access external websites or open links
  • Cannot process or view images
  • Cannot make changes to STFM systems or process transactions
  • Cannot access real-time information (like your STFM Member Profile information)

STFM AI Assistant
Disclaimer: The STFM Assistant can make mistakes. Check important information.