CONFERENCES

Hotel and Travel: STFM Conference on Practice & Quality Improvement

Ready for the 2026 STFM Conference on Practice & Quality Improvement in Palm Desert, CA? Reserve your hotel accommodations at our conference hotel: the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, full of appealing amenities, offering guests mountain and lake views, and positioned just blocks from several golf courses, a short drive to Joshua Tree National Park

Conference Hotel Information

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa

74-855 Country Club DrivePalm Desert, CA 92260

Room rate: $209* (single or double occupancy)*A portion of the room rate is used to offset general meeting expenses.

Reservations are closed for the STFM room block. The group rate opens in May 2026.

About the Hotel: Guests have access to desert-like hiking, pristine parks, golf courses, magnetic views, and outdoor shopping surrounded by endless California sunshine. The Palm Desert area is also a short drive from many Southern California cities and airports.

Book Your Room Hotel Website

Travel Information

Palm Springs International Airport

The distance from the Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to Palm Desert and the conference partner hotel is approximately 12 miles and a 24-minute drive.There is a shuttle service connecting the airport to Palm Desert.Transportation Options:

  • Taxi/rideshare (Lyft, Uber, etc.)

Host City

Palm Desert, CA

Palm Desert, California is a vibrant desert city nestled in the heart of the Coachella Valley, known for its sunny weather, scenic mountain views, and upscale lifestyle. A popular year-round destination, it offers a mix of outdoor adventure, arts and culture, luxury shopping, and relaxation. Visitors can explore hiking trails in the nearby Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains, visit The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, or stroll along El Paseo, the city's high-end shopping and dining district. With numerous golf courses, spas, art galleries, and live performance venues, Palm Desert blends natural beauty with refined leisure, making it a favorite getaway in Southern California.

Nature and Other Outdoor Activities:

  • The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
  • Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument
  • Several walking trails
  • Palm Desert Aquatic Center

Shopping, Art, and Culture:

  • El Paseo Shopping District
  • Palm Springs Art Museum, Desert Branch (Palm Desert location)
  • McCallum Theatre
  • Cabot’s Pueblo Museum

Restaurants & Dining:

  • Pacifica Seafood Restaurant
  • Mitch’s on El Paseo Prime Seafood
  • Daily Grill
  • Cuistot (French)
  • Ristorante Mamma Gina (Italian)

Golf & Leisure:

  • Desert Willow Golf Resort
  • Relaxation & Spas

Questions?

If you have questions about this conference, contact Kim Sevedge at (800) 274-7928 or the email link below.

EMAIL QUESTIONS

Contact Us

11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway

Leawood, KS 66211

(800) 274-7928

stfmoffice@stfm.org 

 

 

Events

January 21, 2026, 1 pm Eastern: GME Leadership Webinar Series: "Staying In: What Sustains GME Leaders Through the Long Haul"

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

February 4, 2026, 1 pm Eastern: Webinar: "Rethinking Bias in AI – Why Algorithmic Bias is Only the Tip of the Iceberg"

February 9, 2026, 1 pm Eastern: Webinar: "Debt Management for Doctors" in Partnership With Equitable Advisors

March 11, 2026, 1 pm Eastern: GME Leadership Webinar Series: "The Human Side of Leadership: Managing People and Ourselves"

March 31, 2026, 1 pm Eastern: Webinar: "Integrity, Identity, and Inclusion: Reframing Professionalism for a New Era"

May 2–6, 2026: STFM Annual Spring Conference

May 13, 2026, 1 pm Eastern: GME Leadership Webinar Series: "Defining Success on Your Own Terms"

June 10, 2026, 1 pm Eastern: Webinar: "Staying at the Table: Leading for Health Equity While Protecting Your Peace"

August 31–September 2, 2026: STFM Conference on Practice & Quality Improvement

Due Dates

January 9, 2026: Apply to Be Scholarship Leader for New Faculty Scholars Program

January 15, 2026: Family Medicine Call for Papers: Theme Issue on Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in Family Medicine Education

January 15, 2026: Apply for POCUS Educator's Certificate Program

January 27, 2026: Call for Proposals to Present at 2026 STFM Conference on Practice & Quality Improvement

February 16, 2026: Apply for Medical Editing Fellowship

February 16, 2026: Apply to Be Faculty for POCUS Educator's Certificate Program

February 19, 2026: Apply for CERA Fellowship

February 23, 2026: Representative to Annals of Family Medicine Board of Directors

February 24, 2026: Apply to Be Faculty for MSEDI Fellowship

February 28, 2026: Apply for STFM Advocacy Scholarship for New Faculty

March 1, 2026: Family Medicine Call for Papers: Theme Issue on Scope of Practice in Family Medicine

March 19, 2026: Representative to Council of Faculty and Academic Societies (CFAS)

Useful Links

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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.

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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?"
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.

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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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STFM AI Assistant
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