Stacy Brungardt, STFM CEO and Executive Director, Announces Retirement in 2027

Stacy Brungardt plans to retire at the end of 2027, ending more than 30 years with STFM and a 20-year tenure as CEO and executive director.

October 29, 2026—Stacy Brungardt, executive director and CEO of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) and the STFM Foundation, has announced her plans to retire at the end of 2027. STFM first announced the news in an emailed letter to the Society’s members on Thursday, October 29.In the letter, Stacy described STFM as “a professional home and a source of tremendous pride and inspiration.” She has been part of STFM for 33 years, joining staff in 1993 as communications director before transitioning to deputy executive director.Stacy began her tenure as executive director and CEO of STFM and the Foundation in October 2007, replacing Roger Sherwood, CAE. At retirement, she will have served in this leadership role for 20 years, making her the second-longest-tenured administrative officer in the organization’s 60-year history.Stacy wrote in the letter to members, “I want to express my deep gratitude—to all the STFM Board members and Foundation trustees for their trust and partnership, to our incredible staff, current and retired, for their dedication and hard work, and to you, our members, whose commitment to family medicine education inspires me every day. Serving this community has been an honor.”In the letter, Stacy explained that the advanced notice of her retirement will allow STFM leadership to identify a successor in 2027.“My goal is to ensure that whoever steps into this role inherits an organization in a strong position and experiences a smooth, well-supported transition,” Stacy stated, later adding, “Leading STFM as CEO for 20 years has been one of the great privileges of my life, and I am deeply grateful for the relationships that have made this work so meaningful.”

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.