STFM Behavioral Science/Family Systems Educator Fellowship

Who?

This competitive, year-long fellowship is for any family medicine faculty who have responsibility for coordinating or teaching the behavioral science/family systems curriculum in their departments or residencies. Preference will be given to applicants with 1 to 5 years of experience as a faculty member.

"Entering a career in family medicine education as a non-physician, one can feel like a stranger in a strange land. STFM's BFEF fellowship will be your interpreter, GPS, and campfire of support as you pioneer this beautiful, wild terrain. The curriculum and programs are empowering, the projects are relevant, and the networking is nonpareil. It was challenging enough to advance my career without tying me down with busy work. I can't speak highly enough of my small group mentors or the BFEF leadership. I highly recommend it for any early career faculty." —Randall Reitz, PhD, LMFT, 2013 Fellow

What?

The Behavioral Science/Family Systems Educator Fellowship includes a structured learning curriculum of core content and formalized mentoring that will enable you to:

• Understand the medical culture and learn how to increase the value of integrating behavioral science and family systems core principles into the practice of family medicine.
• Actively participate in a professional development plan that builds upon the fundamentals of behavioral science education.
• Develop a Professional Learning Contract to include a mentored scholarly project.
• Benefit from a strong mentoring relationship with seasoned behavioral science/family systems educators.

"The Fellowship started at the perfect time for me as I began my new career as a behavioral science director. The behavioral science track at the STFM conference taught me cutting-edge techniques for integrating behavioral science into the residency program, and was critical in building my confidence as a new faculty member. The scholarly project provided encouragement and direction for my ideas and passions. For me, the most valuable piece was the close relationships I developed with my small group. I am now connected with other early career behavioral scientists who are facing the same challenges, and with experts in the field who provide encouragement and guidance." —Katherine Fortenberry, PhD, 2013 Fellow

When?

Fellows will attend two events:

• STFM Annual Spring Conference in May 2014: BFEF preconference and conference fundamental skills track
• The Forum on Behavioral Science in Family Medicine Conference in Fall of 2014: preconference and conference sessions

In addition to attending these two great conferences, the fellowship experience includes: 

• A mentoring relationship with two seasoned behavioral science educators
• Participation in a mentored group of 4 fellows, who will meet at designated times during the conferences and by phone monthly through the remainder of the fellowship year
• A Professional Learning Contract that will include a mentored scholarly project to be completed and presented at the  2015 STFM Annual Spring Conference  
• An opportunity to have your work highlighted in STFM publications and/or Web site  
• Support in the write up of your scholarly project for submission to an STFM publication
• Being honored at the 2015 STFM Annual Spring Conference after completion of your fellowship

When I was first informed of the BFEF, I thought, "What a nice resume builder," only later to realize the hard work involved in the fellowship would contribute more to my development than the title of "Fellow." Through my study, along with the benefit of learning from and with my wonderful mentors and colleagues, I have developed a base of knowledge in areas critical to my program and family medicine as a whole.   I have worked to become a more balanced resource for our residents and trusted member of the faculty. In addition, based on my positive experience and absolutely biased opinion, my colleague in Behavioral Health has decided to apply for the next rotation."  —Corey Smith, PsyD, 2013 Fellow 

How?

The application process for 2015 fellowship class will open this fall.

Fellowship Cost: $800 ~ a $390 savings!  

The Behavioral Science/Family Systems Educator Fellowship is sponsored by STFM, in collaboration with the Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine, sponsor of The Forum for Behavioral Science.

For more information, contact Julie Schirmer, LCSW, fellowship director, by e-mail at jschirme4@gmail.com