Author Archives: STFM News

Insights into Whole Person Care: A Reflection on My Visit to St. Joseph Hospital with Melissa Arthur, PhD, LCSW, LMFT

Posted on September 26, 2024 | 1 comment


By Sydney Brown, Coordinator of Conferences and Special Projects at STFM

Sydney Brown’s work supports STFM fellowship programs, conference planning, special meetings, and more.

In July 2024, I had the invaluable opportunity to visit St. Joseph Hospital in Syracuse, NY, under the guidance of Melissa Arthur, PhD, LCSW, LMFT, Director of Behavioral Science at St. Joseph Hospital in Syracuse Former STFM BFEF Mentorship Director. My background, initially outside the realms of hospitals, medicine, or fellowships, made this experience particularly enlightening. I am deeply grateful to Dr Arthur for her encouragement and facilitation of this insightful visit.

Immersing in Patient Care

My visit began with attending a lecture for medical students, a profound introduction to the complexities of medical education. The session showcased not only the depth of academic instruction but also how behaviorists like Dr Arthur contribute to shaping the educational framework. Observing this integration of theoretical knowledge with practical application highlighted the comprehensive nature of medical training at St. Joseph Hospital.

A key highlight was sitting in on a “Bio Psycho Social” visit, where Dr Arthur was actively involved. This extended patient-doctor interaction illustrated the significance of addressing psychological and social factors in addition to physical health. Witnessing this whole person approach emphasized how understanding a patient’s emotional and social context can enhance overall care and efficacy in medical practice.

Understanding Institutional Support and Well-Being

Equally enlightening was my exposure to the hospital’s institutional support systems. Attending a committee meeting on the “Care of the Colleague” revealed St. Joseph Hospital’s commitment to creating a supportive work environment. This committee’s focus on the well-being of healthcare professionals underscores the importance of fostering a positive and effective healthcare environment, where the mental and emotional health of staff is prioritized.

Additionally, learning about Schwartz Rounds, known locally as Rena Rounds, provided insight into the hospital’s dedication to emotional support. These rounds address the psychological and emotional challenges faced by healthcare professionals, promoting resilience and empathy. The presence of Dr Arthur’s support dog, whom I had the pleasure of accompanying on rounds, further highlighted the impact of such initiatives. The comfort and joy the support dog brought to patients and staff underscored the importance of integrating emotional support into the healthcare environment.

Engaging with the Medical Community

My interactions with medical students and residents provided a broader perspective on their experiences. Discussing their rotations, challenges, and interests offered a personal view of their journey through medical training. This engagement also allowed me to promote the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM), emphasizing the value of community and support within the field.

A Reflection on Whole Person and Compassionate Care

The visit to St. Joseph Hospital was a transformative experience, offering a deep appreciation for the role of behaviorists like Dr Arthur in Family Medicine. Her work exemplifies the integration of whole-person patient care, institutional support, and emotional well-being, reflecting the core values of Family Medicine.

The insights gained from observing Dr Arthur and the team at St. Joseph Hospital reaffirmed the importance of a multi-dimensional approach in healthcare. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to witness their exemplary work and am inspired by the dedication and compassion demonstrated by all involved. Dr Arthur’s contributions to Family Medicine are both commendable and essential, and I am honored to have observed the impactful work she and her colleagues are doing.

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Advocacy in Action: A Spotlight on the USC Street Medicine Team

Posted on March 19, 2024 | 1 comment
Nina DeJonghe, MPP
Nina is the Director of Government Relations for the Council of Academic Family Medicine (CAFM). Her work supports academic family medicine issues, including graduate medical education, primary care research funding, the healthcare workforce and increasing access to primary care physicians to improve health outcomes.


In October of 2023, I visited STFM member Jehni Robinson, MD, FAAFP, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC). Upon becoming chair, Dr Robinson secured funding to create a street medicine team at USC. After which, she partnered with a local county hospital to provide services to more than 60,000 unhoused people.

The USC street medicine team focuses on treating unhoused patients whose needs are often overlooked, if not ignored entirely. I was invited to make rounds to witness firsthand the incredible work the family medicine department does within the community.

Over five hours, we visited several areas throughout South LA. I watched as the team conducted evaluations on new and existing patients, provided wound care, reinstated Medi-Cal insurance, administered medications, and handed out necessities. The providers were compassionate, patient, and kind. The patients were treated with humility, dignity, and the utmost respect. During rounds, we learned a long-term patient was moving into a shelter later that week, which was great news. I held an internal moment of celebration for them, as waitlists for shelters can be extensive. It’s important to note that shelters, while not a long-term solution, provide an important step forward for those experiencing homelessness.

Through Dr Robinson’s leadership with California’s Department of Health and Human Services, and work of the USC street medicine team, physicians in the state are now able to seek Medicare reimbursement of medically necessary professional services to unsheltered homeless individuals, if this care is provided in a “non-permanent” location or found environment.

Since visiting USC, I have spent significant time reflecting on this transformative experience. The street medicine team embodies the spirit of Family Medicine through their dedication, compassion, and unwavering patient support. The contributions of Dr. Robinson and USC’s team are admirable; I am grateful to have had the opportunity to spend time observing their commendable work.

Ready to Make a Difference?

STFM will be working with Water Drop LA to assemble care packages on-site at the 2024 STFM Annual Spring Conference. You can purchase items on the Amazon wish list or bring them with you to the conference.

View the Amazon Wishlist

A room will be available at the conference hotel for attendees to assemble care packages during refreshment breaks. Representatives from Water Drop LA will also be on-site to share more about the organization.

Sunday, May 5 from 9:50 to 10:50 am
Monday, May 6 from 10:15 to 11:15 am and 12:45 to 1:45 pm
Tuesday, May 7 from 9:50 to 10:50 am and 2:45 to 3:15 pm

Water Drop LA is a 100% volunteer-run community organization whose mission is to provide clean water and other necessities to communities facing water inaccessibility. By distributing 2,000+ gallons of water to Skid Row each week and by providing water to our partner organizations across Southern California, Water Drop aims to support existing organizers and to meet the immediate needs of the community

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Posted in Advocacy, Family Medicine Stories, Health Equity, Leadership, Public Health, story telling, The STFM Annual Spring Conference, Volunteering

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Get to Know Incoming STFM President Renee Crichlow, MD, FAAFP

Posted on March 23, 2023 | 6 comments

As the 2022-2023 term comes to a close, we sat down with incoming STFM President Renee Crichlow, MD, FAAFP to learn about her journey to family medicine education, her plans for the presidency, the importance of good conference snacks, and her love of Audible.

“We are a community of learners and teachers from and for each other. STFM never stops working for Family Medicine or our learners, teachers, and patients. From clinical teaching through the ranks of academia, the bureaucracy of medical schools, and amid policymakers, STFM is working for you and with you. We are you; together, we are thoughtful, strong, and persistent.”

Renee Crichlow, MD, FAAFP

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

As a child, the first job I wanted growing up was to be a rodeo rider. I don’t know why, but I remember writing about it in my journal when I was six. Then I wanted to be an oceanographer because Jacques Cousteau was one of my heroes in the 70s, then I fell in love with rocks. As a kid, I could probably name every rock or crystal you could find. My favorite was feldspar. Then came the point in my life when someone I respected a great deal asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I was 12. I was pretty good at science, and people liked to talk to me, so I said I would like to be a doctor. Mrs. Rutherford said I would be an excellent doctor. She was a nurse and someone I admired, so I figured if she said I could be a doctor, I could probably be a doctor. My first job in healthcare was as a phlebotomist in Boston. It was there I worked side-by-side with doctors. I appreciated that they supported and encouraged me to attend medical school. So, I left Boston and went to UC Santa Cruz as an undergraduate. After that, I went to UC Davis, which had a strong family medicine focus.

What drew you to medicine and family medicine education in particular as you grew?

The people I admired were the family docs that worked and taught at UC Davis. The specialists at UC Davis were very kind, compassionate people, but the folks that were doing the kind of work that I thought the doctor was supposed to do (take care of people from the time they were born till the time they die and everything in between) were the family docs. The department Chair at the time, Dr Klea Bertakis invited me to interview after she heard my Grand Rounds in my chief resident year. She asked me to consider becoming an attending at the UC Davis Dept of Family and Community Medicine. I’ve always enjoyed teaching, tutoring, and mentoring. I come from an academic family, so the thought of teaching at the graduate level sounded like an excellent way to continue learning and growing as a physician and a person, so I jumped in and never looked back.

When you’re not revolutionizing family medicine education, how do you like to spend your time?

I like to spend my time traveling with my family and reading books or having books read to me. My wife and I have three teenagers, and they are each fantastic in their own way; traveling the country with them has been filled with surprising and wonderful adventures. Also, I am quite likely emotionally dependent on Audible.com in ways that others might consider unhealthy; what do you mean you can’t listen to books in the shower? Why else would one have waterproof earbuds?

What do you wish all members and non-members knew about STFM?

The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine is shaped by and shapes the specialty of Family Medicine. We are a community of learners and teachers from and for each other. STFM never stops working for Family Medicine or our learners, teachers, and patients. From clinical teaching through the ranks of academia, the bureaucracy of medical schools, and amid policymakers, STFM is working for you and with you. We are you; together, we are thoughtful, strong, and persistent. That’s what I’d want them to know. Also, they should know that when I’m typing, my autocorrect flags “STFM,” which always suggests “storm” instead.

If you could impart your past self with any wisdom from the future, what would it be and why?

I would tell past Renee that loving who you are now is a path to becoming who you can be. It may not be the only or easiest path, but it will sustain you. I would tell her that building joy is courageous and starts with me. I would look her straight in the eye and say, “Stillness is the ground, fear is the noise, and Love is both the signal and receiver.” Past Renee would then look at me, think I was a little eccentric, and then she would go out and make the same mistakes I made in the past that I have now learned from, allowing me to become who I am today. That is the other path; experience plus reflection equals wisdom.

What accomplishment are you most proud of in life, and why?

My children are kind and courageous. My learners are innovative and bold. I can, have, and will be a catalyst for systems change, and I have learned to lead from love and help unleash people to claim their own power.

What drives you to show up every day?

Black Jeep with seat warmers and remote starter…just kidding. I show up. I understand that change is the only constant, and we must help shape that change. But that was a journey; first, I showed up because I wanted to survive, and if I didn’t, only bad things would happen. Then, I started realizing I needed more than survival. I wanted to live, which meant showing up for myself too. Then, I understood that I needed more than just survival and more than just to live. I want to thrive, which means showing up for myself and showing up for and with others. I show up to shape change.

What is your most used STFM resource?

My colleagues, this community of learners is my most useful STFM resource. Other than the members, I would say STFM Connect, which helps me stay connected with those colleagues.

What would you tell medical students and residents about their journey ahead?

Family Medicine is THE FUTURE of Healthcare. Machines or Artificial Intelligence can never replace us. We are a critical component in a compassionate and functional healthcare system. We need to build that compassionate and functional healthcare, and together we can.

Has a lesson you’ve learned stuck with you your whole life?

Be kind. Be kind to me and others.

What do you most look forward to most in your term as STFM president?

I look forward to shaking the US medical and educational system to its core, reshaping it into a model for the world, and choosing snacks at conferences.

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