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Help Shape STFM’s 60th Diamond Anniversary Celebration and Its History

Applications Due October 24, 2025

September 11, 2025—The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) is forming a Diamond Anniversary Task Force to lead the planning of a yearlong celebration of the organization’s 60th anniversary in 2027. This task force will not only design events and activities but also support the creation of a commemorative book documenting STFM’s history, the first such publication since the organization’s 25th anniversary.

Chaired by John Rogers, MD, task force members will guide activities that engage both longtime faculty and newer members, ensuring that the celebration is inclusive, inspiring, and forward-looking.

A key project will be the development of a commemorative book, capturing milestones, stories, and voices from across STFM’s history. This book will serve as both a celebration of past achievements and a lasting resource for future generations of family medicine educators.

In addition, task force members will:

  • Prioritize and coordinate anniversary ideas and activities
  • Participate in both in-person and virtual meetings
  • Help lead and participate in anniversary events at the 2027 STFM Annual Spring Conference in Chicago

There are 9 open positions on the task force. We encourage those who have not been selected in other work to apply.

Application Details

For consideration to be a task force member, please send a statement of interest along with biosketch to Sandy Van Tuyl at svantuyl@stfm.org by Friday, October 24, 2025. If interested in working on the anniversary booklet, please indicate so on statement of interest.

Time Commitment and Travel

  • One 1.5-day in-person meeting in Kansas City, MO (2026)
  • 4–5 virtual meetings, plus additional project work as needed
  • STFM will cover travel expenses for the Kansas City meeting. Members are expected to cover travel to the 2027 STFM Annual Spring Conference, with exceptions for those who do not typically attend.

Timeline

  • October 2025 – Open call for task force members
  • November 2025 – Selection of members and subcommittee leads
  • January 2026 – First task force call and discussion of subcommittees
  • March 2026 – In-person task force meeting in Kansas City
  • 2026–2027 – Ongoing planning, book development, and subcommittee updates
  • May 2027 – 60th anniversary celebration at 2027 STFM Annual Spring Conference in Chicago and launch of commemorative book

Contact Us

 

11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway

Leawood, KS 66211

(800) 274-7928

stfmoffice@stfm.org 

 

 

Events

September 17, 2025, 1 pm eastern/12 pm central: STFM GME Leadership Panel Webinar Series: Balancing Strategic Priorities with Day-to-Day Fires

January 29–February 1, 2026: The 2026 STFM Conference on Medical Student Education

May 2–6, 2026: The 2026 STFM Annual Spring Conference

Due Dates

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

October 21, 2025: Apply to Serve on STFM Foundation Board of Trustees

October 28, 2025: Apply for the STFM Foundation Faculty for Tomorrow Resident Scholarship

November 1, 2025: Apply for Behavioral Science/Family Systems Educator Fellowship

November 14, 2025: Apply for Emerging Leaders Fellowship

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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:

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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

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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?"
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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?"
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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.
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Why this is important: Resetting ensures the AI does not carry over irrelevant information, which could lead to confusion or inaccurate answers.

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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.