STFM FOUNDATION

Investing in the Future of Academic Family Medicine

Image Description

Join the STFM Foundation at MediPalooza

Enjoy an epic evening of music and fun while making connections with new and old friends at MediPalooza, an annual fundraiser for the STFM Foundation!

When: Monday, May 5, 2025, 7:30–11 pm
Where: STFM Annual Spring Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, Grand America Hotel Ballroom

 

Learn About Tickets and Sponsorships

 

Participate in the Marathonaki Fun Run & Walk at the STFM Annual Spring Conference

Socialize with colleagues, get some exercise, and raise money for the STFM Foundation by participating in the 2025 Marathonaki Fun Run & Walk.

Participants are encouraged to make a $50 donation to support the Foundation's mission and programs. This donation gives participants a Marathonaki T-shirt.

When: Monday, May 5, 2025, 6:15 am
Where: STFM Annual Spring Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, Grand America Hotel Ballroom

 

Sign Up for Marathonaki Fun Run & Walk

Note: The donation is not required to participate in the Run/Walk.

 2025 Marathonaki Fun Run & Walk

Foundation-Funded Activities

Small or large, your gift creates scholarships, fellowships, and awards, allowing the STFM Foundation to provide the brightest family medicine talent with training, mentoring, and scholarship opportunities. Current Foundation-funded activities and programs include:

 

264

Medical Student Scholarships

Since 2009, 264 students have received scholarships to attend the STFM Conference on Medical Student Education.

155

Faculty for Tomorrow Resident Scholarships

155 family medicine residents have received scholarships from the STFM Foundation to attend Faculty for Tomorrow Workshops at the STFM Annual Spring Conference.

257

New Faculty Scholars

The STFM Foundation has provided funding to support leadership training and conference attendance for 257 new family medicine faculty members.

Inspiring Stories of the Impact of the STFM Foundation

Your Contributions Have Helped Fund These Successful Activities and Programs

 

Prasanna Vankina
2024 STFM Foundation Student Scholar

Navigating an Unconventional Path: A Journey from Arts to Medicine

Most of my academic background is in history/archeology and I mainly worked in the arts world before pursuing medical school! In all these spaces, I have been continually fascinated by how different people and communities understand and approach what it means to “be well”. 

I am incredibly excited about the truly universal and global applications of family medicine! I look forward to practicing in any clinical environment that values full-spectrum primary care and “walks the talk” when it comes to sincere, lasting, and bidirectional community connections. 

When I’m not studying, the former art teacher in me often reaches for ways to exercise creative muscles (ceramics, dance). While it is harder to make personal time for this during clinical training, any day that consists of sharing long walks, delicious meals, good music, and/or similar hopes with people I love, is a worthwhile one! 

I am incredibly excited about heading into the world of family medicine and fully sold on the power of community health. I also find education and teaching to be a very heartening practice! I do, however, sometimes wonder how conducive academic environments are to keeping the spirit and integrity of primary care alive. There are certainly role models in my life that have embodied this and I am hoping that STFM and the MSE conference will help me see that this can be the norm, and not simply the exception! 

As I progress through my clinical training and continue to expand into roles where I am more directly involved in caring for patients and their loved ones, I find myself asking: Which environments allow physicians to also prioritize similar dedication to the communities where patients and their loved ones are from? Where are clinicians, staff, educators, and learners not only reflective of the greater community, but also deeply invested in it? Where do people respond creatively, compassionately, and collaboratively to different problems, beyond creating committees and task forces? Which settings make it easier for people to align their values and actions day-to-day for a more just world? Where are people most hopeful? These are certainly not novel considerations, and I am so excited to learn more about how different clinicians at STFM have navigated these questions. 

I often turn to the folks who I look up to! Where, how, and with whom are the people I admire spending their time – and more importantly, why? STFM has been a common theme in spaces and relationships I find meaningful.

 

 

 

Contact Us

11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway

Leawood, KS 66211

(800) 274-7928

Email: stfmoffice@stfm.org 

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.