News

Applications Open for the STFM New Faculty Scholars Program

Deadline to Apply is September 30, 2025

July 1, 2025—STFM is now accepting applications for its esteemed New Faculty Scholars Program, designed to help early career faculty cultivate leadership and scholarship skills that will shape the future of academic family medicine.

Since 1988, this program has supported more than 250 new faculty members on their journey to becoming impactful leaders in their institutions, communities, and within STFM itself.

What Scholars Gain

Selected scholars receive a full year of coaching, learning, and networking opportunities with seasoned mentors and senior STFM leaders.

Throughout the year, scholars will:

  • Receive personalized advising from an experienced coach to help navigate leadership and scholarly development.
  • Engage in monthly webinars and activities, including presenting their own scholarly work.
  • Expand their professional network, building connections with STFM leaders and peers across the country.
  • Be recognized at the STFM Annual Spring Conference, where they’ll present their scholarly project and be honored at special events.
  • Each Scholar receives up to $1000 in travel funding, plus conference registration support, made possible through the STFM Foundation.

Who Should Apply

Eligible applicants must:

  • Be current STFM members with at least 2 years but no more than 4 years as full-time faculty in a family medicine department or residency program
  • Demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and active engagement with STFM
  • Commit to attending and presenting at the STFM Annual Spring Conference
  • Applicants must not be full-time fellows or current members of the boards or standing committees of STFM, NAPCRG, or ADFM

How to Apply

Applications are due by Sept 30. To apply, submit:

  • A completed application form and biosketch (maximum 2 pages) with photo
  • A letter from your chair or program director confirming your leadership potential and departmental support for full participation, including travel beyond the $1000 stipend

All application materials should be emailed to Sandy VanTuyl. Nominees will be notified in early November.

Learn more here about the STFM New Faculty Scholars program.

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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.