STFM FOUNDATION

Investing in the Future of Academic Family Medicine

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:

 

304

Medical Student Scholarships

Since 2009, 304 students have received scholarships to attend the STFM Conference on Medical Student Education.

185

Faculty for Tomorrow Resident Scholarships

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

269

New Faculty Scholars

The STFM Foundation has provided funding to support leadership training and conference attendance for 269 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

Benjamin Popokh, University of Texas Southwestern
2026 STFM Foundation Student Scholarship Recipient

I am a 4th-year medical student at the University of Texas Southwestern (UT Southwestern) Medical School. I grew up in Plano, TX, the son of hard-working immigrants who taught me the value of perseverance, community, and service. My path to medicine began with a deeply personal experience: my cousin Sasha’s battle with brain cancer. Witnessing Sasha’s courage and the dedication of his care team inspired me to pursue a career where I could combine skill and compassion for patients facing life’s most difficult moments.

At the University of Texas at Austin, I studied biology and neuroscience, served as a teaching assistant, worked as a medical assistant, and taught CPR and lifeguarding courses. Outside of academics, I embraced Austin’s vibrant outdoor culture, running along Lady Bird Lake, hiking the Hill Country, and developing a lifelong passion for outdoor exercise as both a personal outlet and a way to connect with others.

Entering medical school at UT Southwestern, I initially envisioned a specialized career in neurosurgery or oncology. But as I progressed through rotations, I found joy in far too many aspects of medicine to choose just one. From pediatrics to geriatrics, procedures to preventive care, I was drawn to the breadth of practice and long-term relationships that primary care offered. A rural family medicine rotation in Mineral Wells, TX, with Dr Shivum Agarwal, proved pivotal, showing me the impact of full-spectrum practice: managing chronic illness, delivering babies, performing procedures, and serving as a trusted presence in the community.

As a future family physician, I plan to practice full-spectrum care, including obstetrics, in rural or underserved communities. I envision a career blending clinical excellence, community leadership, advocacy, and writing, working to heal not just individuals, but the systems and communities they live in.

 

 

 

Contact Us

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Leawood, KS 66211

(800) 274-7928

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.