Wisdom, Challenges, and Strategies for Thriving in GME Leadership
Stepping into leadership in graduate medical education (GME) can feel like navigating uncharted territory. While established programs like the National Institute for Program Director Development (NIPPD) provide invaluable training, not all current or prospective leaders have the ability to participate. Additionally, ongoing mentorship and real-world insights from experienced leaders remain essential beyond formal training.
The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) is hosting a series of webinars on GME leadership. "STFM GME Leadership Panel Series: Stages of GME Leadership – From Idealism to Sustainability" fills a critical gap by providing accessible, real-time conversations with seasoned GME leaders who have built meaningful and sustainable careers. Each session focuses on a key leadership challenge, offering practical strategies, candid reflections, and an interactive question-and-answer session to help current and aspiring leaders thrive.
Moderated by academic family physicians who are certified physician coaches, these sessions benefit from facilitators with firsthand experience coaching leaders in academics. Their background enables them to create a unique space for mentorship, shared wisdom, and support, ensuring that every attendee—whether tuning in live or watching later—gains relevant and actionable insights.
Format of Webinar Series
Live Virtual Webinars (Thematic Sessions – 60 Minutes Each)
Each session is a 60-minute interactive discussion, featuring a moderated panel of seasoned academic family medicine leaders with longer-than-average careers in their roles. Moderators are academic family physicians who are certified physician coaches, ensuring both structured discussion and deep reflection.
Each session includes:
45-minute moderated panel discussion on key leadership challenges related to the theme
15-minute interactive Q&A where attendees can seek tailored advice
Recorded sessions for on-demand access
Webinar Series Schedule: Register for Future Webinars or Watch Recordings of Past Webinars
Information for each of the scheduled webinars—such as webinar title, date, time, topics covered, objectives, panelists, and coaches—are listed in the tabs below. Register for future webinars or watch recordings of past webinars by navigating through the tabs.
Balancing Strategic Priorities with Day-to-Day Fires
Recorded September 17, 2025
This session explores how experienced GME leaders stay grounded in long-term goals while constantly navigating the chaos of urgent demands. Panelists will reflect on how they make space for strategy while managing the fires, frustrations, and fatigue that come with the role. We’ll discuss what’s helped them persist—and what has helped them grow.
Upon completion of this session, participants should be able to:
Analyze practical approaches for aligning immediate demands with broader leadership goals
Reflect on how personal leadership values and style influence one’s ability to manage competing priorities
Coach: Tonya L. Caylor, MD, PCC
Presenters: Dave Evans, MD; Linda Montgomery, MD, MA; James Schindler, MD, MPH
Topics:
Managing crises without losing sight of long-term goals
Leadership tactics for sustaining progress despite constant demands
Resources:
Today Matters by John C. Maxwell
Change by John P. Kotter
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Crucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, et al
Date and time: Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 1 pm eastern time
What do you do when your institution’s actions don’t reflect your values—or when you need to lead without positional authority? This session focuses on the invisible side of leadership: exercising influence, shaping culture, and choosing when to speak up or stay silent. Panelists will offer hard-won insights on advancing change when power is diffuse and trust is fragile.
Upon completion of this session, participants should be able to:
Evaluate strategies for exercising influence and advancing goals in environments with limited formal authority
Reflect on how personal leadership values guide decision-making in politically complex situations
Coach: Deborah S. Clements, MD
Presenters: Timothy Graham, MD, MHPE; Linda Montgomery, MD, MA; Alan Douglass, MD
Topics:
Working with administration when values/mission seem misaligned
Effective communication and influence strategies when you don’t have full authority
Date and time: Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 1 pm eastern time
Leadership in GME can be deeply fulfilling—and deeply draining. In this candid conversation, panelists will reflect on what has kept them going, what almost made them quit, and what they’ve learned about creating a career worth staying for. We’ll explore how to reconnect with meaning, build leadership lifelines, and lead without losing yourself.
Upon completion of this session, participants should be able to:
Identify practices and perspectives that support sustained motivation and personal well-being in leadership
Evaluate shared strategies and adapt them to strengthen personal leadership longevity
Coach: Marianna Kong, MD
Presenters: Tricia Elliott, MD; Robert Gobbo, MD; Randolph Pearson, MD
Topics:
What keeps leaders engaged and thriving long-term?
How to navigate bad days, motivation slumps, and leadership fatigue
Date and time: Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 1 pm eastern time
Managing faculty, staff, and residents is a core part of GME leadership—and one of the hardest. From difficult conversations to navigating team dynamics, this panel will offer real-life stories and strategies for leading people in complex, often emotional environments. We’ll also explore how to grow your own capacity to lead relationally—without losing your edge or your energy.
Upon completion of this session, participants should be able to:
Analyze real-world approaches to navigating interpersonal challenges and giving effective feedback in GME contexts
Explore ways to grow relational leadership capacity while maintaining clarity, energy, and professional integrity
Date and time: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 1 pm eastern time
In a field where metrics are everywhere, how do you define success for yourself—and know when you’ve done enough? This session invites personal reflection on career purpose, measuring impact, and letting go of maladaptive perfection. Panelists will share how they’ve evolved their definitions of success and how they stay aligned with their values as leaders and human beings.
Upon completion of this session, participants should be able to:
Reflect on how personal values and career stage influence definitions of success in GME leadership
Develop individualized strategies to evaluate impact and sustain meaningful leadership over time
Coach: Santina Wheat, MD
Presenters: James Schindler, MD, MPH; Olivia Rae Wright, MD; Tricia Elliot, MD
Topics:
How leaders evaluate their own effectiveness and work-life balance
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.
