Apply to Serve on the 2027 STFM Foundation Board of Trustees

Apply for one of four openings on the STFM Foundation Board of Trustees. Positions begin in May 2027 and last for 4 years.

August 18, 2026—The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) is accepting applications for individuals interested in serving on the STFM Foundation Board of Trustees.There are four open positions available beginning May 2027. Trustees serve a 4-year term beginning with the 2027 STFM Annual Spring Conference and ending with the 2031 STFM Annual Spring Conference. This conference happens in April/May each year.

How to Apply

Submit the following to Mary Williams at mwilliams@stfm.org by October 19, 2026:

Statement of interest
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Application form

More About the STFM Foundation

The STFM Foundation was established in 1975 to support the mission of STFM. Supporting pipeline programs that recruit and develop family medicine faculty for tomorrow is the Foundation's highest priority. Specifically, the Foundation:

Supports the leadership development of young family medicine teachers
Identifies, develops, and encourages underrepresented minority faculty and learners who are pursuing careers in academic family medicine
Provides seed money to galvanize innovative STFM projects and initiatives
Harness the passion of promising medical students through conference scholarships that encourage them to consider academic careers
Provides training and mentorship for new faculty and residents interested in teaching

Although most of the programs and initiatives funded by the Foundation directly benefit STFM members, their impact is much broader. Medical students, residents, faculty, and family medicine professionals gain from the Foundation’s leadership development success.The Foundation believes that by championing family medicine education, all who pursue its goals and rewards reap the benefits—whether you are teachers, providers, patients, or others in the larger health care community.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit the following to Mary Williams at mwilliams@stfm.org by October 19, 2026:

Statement of interest
Photo
Application form

Final approval of the new Trustees will occur in late February at the STFM Board meeting. Expectations can be found in the Application form, including duties, term information, and application requirements.All nominees will be notified by February 2027.

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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:

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)

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Apply to Serve on the 2027 STFM Foundation Board of Trustees

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AI Chatbot Tips

Tips for Using STFM's AI Assistant

1. Avoid Ambiguous Language

Example:

2. Use Specific Terms

Example:

3. Don't Assume the AI Knows Everything

Example:

4. Reset if You Change Topics

5. Provide Enough Context

Example:

6. Ask One Question at a Time

Example:

Examples of Good vs. Bad Prompts

Bad Prompt

Good Prompt

Double Check Important Information

Technical Limitations

STFM AI Assistant