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Mike Mayer

Mike Mayer is a medical student at Stanford University. He is a 2026 recipient of a STFM Foundation Medical Student Scholarship.

Mike's Family Medicine Story

My name is Mike Mayer, a 3rd-year medical student at Stanford University. I grew up in Sarasota, FL.

 

What Was Your Path Into Medical School?

I had a sort of winding path. After graduating from undergrad school, I worked initially in psychology research, then in homelessness services in Boston, MA, for almost 5 years. I worked first as a case manager and later as a program manager where I supervised several homelessness services programs and led a housing case management team. Seeing the doctors who practiced homelessness healthcare is what ultimately inspired me to go to medical school: I loved that they could provide direct clinical care on an outreach van or in a shelter one day, and then coordinate meaningful public health initiatives or advocate for policy at city hall the next. I hope to have a similar career some day.

 

What Do You Do When You Are Not Studying?

I've loved exploring the Bay Area! This is my first time living in California. I try to go hiking and camping as much as I can. I also enjoy spending time at the beach or exploring San Francisco with friends. I try to take advantage of the amazing Bay Area weather as much as I can.

 

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

I'm so excited to attend and hopefully meet others with similar interests in medicine! I probably wouldn't have been able to pay for attending this conference on my own, so this scholarship is the primary reason I'm able to attend. I'm very grateful for the opportunity!

 

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

I am in my 3rd year of medical school and still somewhat undifferentiated, though likely interested in the general medical specialties (family medicine, internal medicine, pediatric, etcetera). I really want to meet other family medicine doctors and learn more about what academic family medicine looks like, particularly in urban underserved areas! 

 

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.