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Melfry Gonzalez

Melfry Gonzalez is a medical student at the University of South Carolina Greenville. She is a 2026 recipient of a STFM Foundation Medical Student Scholarship.

Melfry's Family Medicine Story

My name is Melfry Gonzalez. I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States as a teenager. My journey to medicine has been deeply shaped by my family’s resilience and the supportive communities that surrounded me growing up. I’m currently a second-year medical student at the University of South Carolina Greenville, where I used to serve as co-president of the Family Medicine Interest Group and co-vice president of our Latino Medical Student Association chapter.

What Was Your Path Into Medical School?

Before medical school, my lived experiences taught me the importance of listening deeply to people’s stories and understanding the barriers that shape their access to care. Witnessing these inequities firsthand inspired me to pursue medicine at the University of South Carolina Greenville—a school that shares my commitment to community, service, and health equity.

I hope to practice family medicine in South Carolina, combining clinical care with research and policy work that address health inequities, especially among vulnerable and underserved populations.

What Do You Do When You Are Not Studying?

Outside of studying, I love music! When I’m not singing, I collect vinyl records and write about songs, I’m also currently learning the drums. I like trying new foods and spend time with my family and friends!

How Will This Scholarship and Getting to Attend the STFM Conference on Medical Student Education Impact You?

This scholarship and the opportunity to attend the STFM Conference on Medical Student Education means so much to me. It reaffirms that my voice and background belong in academic medicine and gives me the chance to learn from leaders shaping the future of family medicine education.

What Do You See Affecting Your Decision on Whether or Not to Go Into Family Medicine or Academic Family Medicine?

Ultimately, what will guide my decision to pursue family medicine or academic family medicine is the opportunity to combine clinical work with research and advocacy/community work.

Contribute to the Creation of the Next STFM Story

Transforming the future of family medicine would not be possible without the generosity of countless STFM members and supporters. Through both member and departmental donations, the STFM Foundation is able to support the pipeline for academic family medicine. 

Help transform the future of academic family medicine by donating to the STFM Foundation. If you have questions about the STFM Foundation, contact Mindy Householder at (800) 274-7928 or mhouseholder@stfm.org.

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How You Can Help: Transforming the future of family medicine would not be possible without the generosity of countless STFM members and supporters. Through both member and departmental donations, the STFM Foundation is able to support STFM's priority to develop the pipeline for academic family medicine. To transform the future of academic family medicine, donate to the STFM Foundation or contact Mindy Householder at (800) 274-7928 or mhouseholder@stfm.org.

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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.