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Bright Light: Mary Nolan Hall, MD

STFM Member Mary Nolan Hall, MD, is chief academic officer and senior vice president of medical education and research at Atrium Health in Charlotte, NC and has been an STFM member since 1987, as well as past president of the STFM Board of Directors.

Mary's Story: STFM has always been my professional home. Beginning early in my career until now, it is the place where I find colleagues and friends with like-minded values and goals. Through connections made through STFM, as well as STFM's support, a group of us with interest in Balint and the doctor–patient relationship held seminars and workshops until we matured into our own organization. More recently, STFM’s focus on diversity, inclusion, and health equity spawned a multitude of educational programs and projects. In 2016, I joined other academic leaders to create a leadership development task force to address the lack of diversity among the leadership in academic family medicine, particularly women and underrepresented minorities. On a selfish note, I have been successful in my leadership role at a large health care system because of all that I have learned from my colleagues at STFM, my work on STFM committees, and participation on the STFM Board of Directors. Change in the country’s health care landscape is fast and furious, and STFM is on the cutting edge to make sure the academic community is prepared to drive this change.

Paying It Forward: When I realized how intentional the STFM Foundation is in supporting the development of a diverse, change ready workforce, I was called to support this work with my own financial contributions. I was very pleased when I realized my sustained giving to the future of family medicine and the STFM Foundation qualified me to join the Light the Torch Club.

Light the Torch: Transforming the future of family medicine would not be possible without the generosity of Mary Nolan Hall and countless other STFM members and supporters. Through these donations, the STFM Foundation supports STFM's priority to develop the pipeline for academic family medicine. 

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

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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.

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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.