News

Apply for or Nominate a Colleague for an STFM or STFM Foundation Award

June 9, 2025—STFM is currently accepting nominations for several awards. More information on each is below.

STFM Advocate Award

The STFM Advocate Award honors STFM member(s) for outstanding work in political advocacy at the local, state, or national level. The recipient's efforts are not restricted to legislative work but cannot be solely individual patient advocacy. Nominations are due October 4, 2025.

Curtis G. Hames Research Award

The Curtis G. Hames Research Award honors those individuals whose careers over the years exemplify dedication to research in family medicine. The award recipient is selected by a committee representing STFM, the Association of Departments of of Family Medicine, and the North American Primary Care Research Group. This award is supported by the Department of Family Medicine through the MCG Foundation's Hames Endowment of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Nominations are due November 8, 2025.

STFM Research Paper of the Year Award

The STFM Research Paper of the Year Award recognizes a research paper published in a peer-reviewed journal the previous July 1 through June 30. The first author must be an STFM member. The STFM Research Committee bases the award selection on the quality of the research and its potential impact. The winning paper will be presented at the STFM Annual Spring Conference. Nominations are due November 8, 2025.

Contact Us

 

11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway

Leawood, KS 66211

(800) 274-7928

stfmoffice@stfm.org 

 

 

Events

November 19, 2025, 1 pm Eastern: GME Leadership Webinar Series: “Soft Power, Strong Purpose: Navigating Institutional Realities”

January 29–February 1, 2026: The 2026 STFM Conference on Medical Student Education

May 2–6, 2026: The 2026 STFM Annual Spring Conference

Due Dates

September 30, 2025: STFM New Faculty Scholars Applications

October 4, 2025: STFM Advocate Award Nominations

October 21, 2025: Apply to Serve on STFM Foundation Board of Trustees

October 24, 2025: Apply to Join STFM 60th Anniversary Celebration Task Force

October 28, 2025: Apply for the STFM Foundation Faculty for Tomorrow Resident Scholarship

November 1, 2025: Apply for Behavioral Science/Family Systems Educator Fellowship

November 8, 2025: Nominations for the following awards: Curtis G. Hames Research Award and STFM Research Paper of the Year Award

November 14, 2025: Apply for Emerging Leaders Fellowship

January 15, 2026: Family Medicine Call for Papers: Theme Issue on Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in Family Medicine Education

March 1, 2026: Family Medicine Call for Papers: Theme Issue on Scope of Practice in Family Medicine

Useful Links

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.