STFM FOUNDATION 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Investing in the Future of Academic Family Medicine

Celebrate the STFM Foundation's 50th Anniversary

On June 23, 2025, the STFM Foundation celebrates 50 years as the charitable arm of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. Family medicine pioneer and author G. Gayle Stephens, MD, was the founding president of the STFM Foundation in 1975.

The Foundation will be celebrating this landmark anniversary during the 2025 STFM Annual Spring Conference, held May 3–7 in Salt Lake City, UT, and throughout the remainder of the calendar year.

Please consider donating to our special fund to commemorate the 50th anniversary (click the link or scan the QR code).

 

Read More About the 50th Anniversary

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Foundation-Funded Activities

Small or large, your gift creates scholarships, fellowships, and awards, allowing the STFM Foundation to provide the brightest family medicine talent with training, mentoring, and scholarship opportunities. Current Foundation-funded activities and programs include:

 

264

Medical Student Scholarships

Since 2009, 264 students have received scholarships to attend the STFM Conference on Medical Student Education.

155

Faculty for Tomorrow Resident Scholarships

155 family medicine residents have received scholarships from the STFM Foundation to attend Faculty for Tomorrow Workshops at the STFM Annual Spring Conference.

257

New Faculty Scholars

The STFM Foundation has provided funding to support leadership training and conference attendance for 257 new family medicine faculty members.

Successful Academic Family Medicine Activities and Programs

Your contributions have helped fund:

Inspiring Stories of the Impact of the STFM Foundation

Samantha Busch, medical student

Samantha Busch, University of Wisconsin
2025 STFM Foundation Student Scholarship Recipient

I am a 4th-year medical student at the University of Wisconsin in the Training and Urban Medicine and Public Health (TRIUMPH) Track. Originally from Blue Mounds, WI, I attended the University of Wisconsin as an undergraduate where I majored in biochemistry, with certificates in Biocore and Classical and Near Eastern Studies. During my time as an undergraduate, I was the co-founder and president of a student organization, Building Bases, whose mission was to provide direct support for families and children experiencing homelessness while also promoting educational events to raise awareness about the effects of systemic inequities and high rent prices across the nation.

After completing undergraduate studies, I served as an AmeriCorps Medicaid Outreach Specialist with the Dane County Department of Human Services and the Dane County Jail in downtown Madison. I worked directly with more than 250 individuals in homeless day shelters and jail to provide community outreach, food and Medicaid enrollment assistance, and healthcare education. After being witness to a seemingly never-ending struggle of individuals having difficulty obtaining everyday necessities, let alone the challenge of navigating the complex health system, I came to realize that the impact of poverty on individuals’ health must be recognized and addressed at each patient encounter.

I am a passionate family medicine advocate and has served in numerous family medicine leadership roles with her University of Wisconsin Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG), the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians—Foundation, Family Medicine Midwest (FMM) Conference Planning Committee, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) FMIG, and most recently on the Student Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) Board of Directors. My leadership experiences have kindled an interest in academic medicine, where I hope to continue teaching and mentoring the next generation of medical students. I will use the STFM Foundation Medical Student Scholarship opportunity to attend the 2025 STFM Conference on Medical Student Education to re-energize my passion for medical education and begin to understand the diverse opportunities in academic medicine.

As a family physician, I hope to continue finding ways to bridge the gaps that persist in our medical system by providing culturally competent and full spectrum care in urban underserved areas. I am excited to begin a Family Medicine Residency in July 2025.

 

 

 

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Email: stfmoffice@stfm.org 

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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.