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July 2025: ADFM Lifecycle of Leadership Series Part 2 - Developing Yourself as a Leader with Peter Catinella, MD, and Jehni Robinson, MD, FAAFP

Leadership development is more than titles and advancement—it’s a continual process of growth, self-discovery, and adaptation. Part two of our Lifecycle of Leadership series with the Association of Departments of Family Medicine (ADFM) explores how leaders find their voice, navigate common pitfalls like micromanagement and impostor syndrome, and learn to delegate with purpose. Seasoned leaders, Peter Catinella, MD, and Jehni Robinson, MD, FAAFP, discuss the challenges of introverts and extroverts, the importance of mentorship, mastering the language of leadership, and balancing impact with well-being. Our guests offer real-world insights on leading with clarity and intention while embracing progress over perfection.

Hosted by Omari A. Hodge, MD, and Jay-Sheree Allen Akambase, MD

Copyright © Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, 2025

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Peter Catinella, MD

Dr Catinella has over 30 years of experience in several academic institutions, and currently serves as the as Department Chair at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso Department of Family Medicine-Transmountain. His prior leadership positions included serving as the Chief Medical Information Officer at the University of Arizona’s Health Network and the Clinical Vice Chair in the Department of Family & Community Medicine at the University of Arizona-Tucson, Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs at the Department of Family & Preventive Medicine at the University of Utah and as Director of its Public Health Program, and residency program director at Indiana University. He recently chaired the Leader Development Committee of the Association of Departments of Family Medicine and was a member of its Board of Directors during that tenure.

Dr Catinella received his medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine and his Master of Public Health from the University of South Florida. He completed his residency in Family Medicine at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Jehni Robinson, MD, FAAFP

Dr Jehni Robinson is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Associate Dean for Primary Care at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. She is President of the Association of Departments of Family Medicine (ADFM). Dr Robinson led development of a new Family Medicine residency, graduating its first class in 2024 and co-founded USC Street Medicine Program in 2018, which brings care to unhoused people in Los Angeles. She received the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) Advocate Award for this work .  Prior to coming to USC, she served as Chief Medical Officer for The Saban Free Clinic, also known as The Los Angeles Free Clinic, and taught in the Harbor UCLA Transforming Primary Care Faculty Development Fellowship. She received her undergraduate degree from Stanford and her medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine. She completed her residency at Harbor-UCLA in Family Medicine followed by a chief year and faculty development 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:

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.

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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.

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