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Bright Light: David Henderson, MD

STFM Member David Henderson, MD is an associate professor, chair for the Department of Family Medicine, and associate dean for Multicultural and Community Affairs at UCONN Health. Prior to joining the faculty he worked for a year as a physician volunteer in a rural hospital in Sierra Leone, West Africa. He also worked part time as a physician volunteer at Charter Oak Terrace Community Health Center in Hartford for two years.

Dave's Story

by David Henderson, MD

STFM has been home since my early days as a faculty member. Along with my initial faculty development training, STFM has provided many opportunities for informal interactions with colleagues outside my department. This combination of experiences was instrumental in facilitating my academic advancement. STFM colleagues saw potential that I did not see in myself and provided opportunities to help me grow toward self-efficacy – from being a brand-new member to serving on the program committee, and ultimately having an opportunity to join the Board as a member-at-large.

I have much for which to thank STFM, including leadership opportunities across a diverse range of experiences. From being a clerkship director, a student affairs dean, and a diversity dean to my current role as chair of the department that provided my residency training, I cannot imagine an organization being more supportive that STFM has been to me.

During my time in student affairs, I developed the habit of writing and sharing haiku with students.The haiku below is demonstrative of my connection to STFM.

Just a mother’s son

Running as fast as he can

Gone before the wind

STFM has long been the wind at my back.

Paying It Forward

What we do every day is a privilege, and I believe we should fully embrace the obligation to expand the impact of individual success. It is important to provide shoulders on which others may stand, and to reach back and provide a hand up for those who need it. We can do this individually, and collectively through our participation in STFM. As a member, I think it is also important to support the organization that has done so much for me.

How You Can Help 

Transforming the future of family medicine would not be possible without the generosity of Dave Henderson, MD, and countless other 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 by donating to the STFM Foundation, contact Mindy Householder at 800.274.7928 or mhouseholder@stfm.org.

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To learn more or to support the STFM Foundation, click the button below, or contact Mindy Householder at mhouseholder@stfm.org or 800.274.7928.

Transform the Future of Family Medicine

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(800) 274-7928

Email: stfmoffice@stfm.org 

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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.