News

STFM Foundation Seeking Vacation Home Donations for MediPalooza Auction

July 22, 2025—Do you own a vacation home, cabin, condo, or timeshare? You can make a meaningful impact by donating a vacation stay to the STFM Foundation to use in the upcoming Medipalooza 2026 online auction.

The auction opens for bidding April 1, 2026 and culminates during MediPalooza on May 4 at 6:15 pm in New Orleans, LA.

Your generous contribution will help the STFM Foundation, which is the charitable arm of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM), raise essential funds to support the important work of STFM all while showcasing your beautiful property to our community of supporters.

Why Donate Your Vacation Home for the Auction?

Below are some of the benefits of allowing the STFM Foundation to auction a vacation stay at your home:

  • Support a Great Cause: Your donation directly benefits the STFM Foundation.
  • Tax Deductible: In most cases, your donation may be eligible for a tax deduction. Consult your tax advisor for details.
  • Promote Your Property: Gain exposure among an engaged audience of your peers who may become future renters or recommend your property.
  • Flexible Scheduling: You can specify available dates, blackout periods, and any property rules or restrictions.

What the STFM Foundation Is Looking For

  • Vacation homes, cabins, condos, or timeshares in desirable destinations—beaches, mountains, lakes, cities, and more!
  • A stay of 2–7 nights is typical, but we welcome your suggestions.
  • Availability for vacation stays from May 2026–May 2027 is preferable, and defined blackout dates are suggested. We can also set specific time frames if needed (such as “September or October for a fall foliage vacation).

How to Participate

Contact Mindy Householder at mhouseholder@stfm.org to learn more about donating your home. Help us make this year’s auction a standout success!

Contact Us

 

11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway

Leawood, KS 66211

(800) 274-7928

stfmoffice@stfm.org 

 

 

Events

August 28, 2025, 1 pm eastern/12 pm central: Webinar With NIDA: The PROUD Study & Lessons for Success in Primary Care Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Treatment

September 8–10, 2025: The 2025 STFM Conference on Practice & Quality Improvement

Due Dates

August 7, 2025: Special Early Bird Registration for 2025 STFM Conference on Practice & Quality Improvement

August 12, 2025: Hotel Group Rate for 2025 STFM Conference on Practice & Quality Improvement

August 14, 2025: Nominations for F. Marian Bishop Leadership Award Due

August 30, 2025: Apply for Family Medicine Associate Editor Position

August 30, 2025: Apply to Join the STFM Bishop Society

September 2, 2025: Call for Presentations for 2026 STFM Annual Spring Conference

September 18, 2025: Award nominations are due for the following awards: STFM Excellence in Education Award, STFM Diversity Award, STFM Innovative Program, Lynn and Joan Carmichael STFM Recognition Award 

September 23, 2025: Nominations for Open Committee Positions Due

September 30, 2025: STFM New Faculty Scholars Applications Due

October 4, 2025: STFM Advocate Award Nominations Due

Useful Links

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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.