Unlocking the Impact of Clinical Educators with Irtaza Asar, DO
How do we build exemplary clinical teams? It all starts with influential educators like Irtaza Asar, DO. Dr. Asar is an Emergency Physician and Core Faculty Member at Saint Vincent Hospital. Based in Erie, PA, he is well known for advancing medical thought and practice. Most recently, he received the ACEP National Emergency Medicine Junior Faculty Teaching Award. A testament to his instruction, the award is presented to faculty who are less than 7-years post residency. Previously, Dr. Asar also earned the USACS Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award and was named a Top Physician Under 40 by the Pennsylvania Medical Society. His accolades speak for themselves, highlighting his service to patients and healthcare professionals alike.
In celebrating Dr. Asar’s contributions, we must first consider where his story began. “Back in the early 2000s, my family immigrated from Pakistan to the United States,” he expresses. “My father excelled as a surgeon, which naturally led me down a similar path. I went on to complete medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) and my emergency medicine (EM) residency at Saint Vincent Hospital. It was during this time that I fell in love with teaching. I was inspired by the Physicians who taught me as a student. I witnessed their impact on my journey and knew I wanted to shape future generations.”
Fast forward to 2020, Dr. Asar found an opportunity to do just that. He signed on as a USACS Physician and set out to pursue his calling for academics. Seeking mentorship, he turned to EM Residency Program Director, Jestin Carlson, MD, MS, MHA, CPE. Dr. Asar credits Dr. Carlson with encouraging him to apply for a core faculty position and the ACEP Teaching Fellowship. Both engagements have been integral to expanding his qualifications and solidifying his focus as an emerging educator.
To this point, Dr. Asar is a man who wears many hats. “At Saint Vincent Hospital, I serve as the Clerkship Director,” he explains. “This position allows me to manage EM medical student rotations. I design our curriculum to facilitate a strong learning experience. When a student is interested in the specialty, I guide them to use the rotation as a launchpad for their career. As for our residency program, I work with 18 residents on a shift-to-shift basis to meet requirements for the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). If residents are challenged by a particular area, such as medical knowledge or professionalism, I craft tailored remediation processes.”
Across these endeavors, Dr. Asar delivers personalized support. His approach is rooted in the founding principle of medical education—to help learners become the best version of themselves. For instance, he has established year-long programs for residents struggling with the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) In-Service Exam. His programs address the distinct dimensions a Physician finds difficult, from procedural skills to specific core content topics. By individualizing these plans, he not only accelerates academic progress but raises the quality of our patient care.
Beyond Saint Vincent Hospital, Dr. Asar makes a difference on a broader scale. “My podcast, called The Learning Curve, is one of my favorite passion projects,” he affirms. “I created the podcast in February to amplify the fresh voices of medical educators from across the country. Themes have included gamification, diagnostic uncertainty, ECG interpretation, evidence-based learning strategies, and more. Over the past few months, it has been wonderful to see the positive response. My hope is that listeners will use the content to spark conversation and adopt innovative teaching methods. After all, education should never stop at the hospital doors.”
Notably, Dr. Asar’s inaugural episode featured our very own Research Director, Dhimitri Nikolla, DO. In “Rebooting Journal Club: Less Pain, More Gain,” Dr. Nikolla discussed solutions to enhance resident involvement. He covered the limitations of traditional models, the need for structured curricula, and the importance of critical appraisal. This dialogue is a prime example of the relevant issues and accessible format that Dr. Asar’s podcast offers to educators and learners. To date, listeners can enjoy 13 episodes on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, and can anticipate additional upcoming releases.
As we explore these efforts, it is crucial to showcase Dr. Asar’s secret to success. “The incredible educators I have met typically share three key abilities,” he notes. “Chief among them is active listening, followed by constructive feedback and lifelong learning. In my view, the very best of us can understand the concerns of a diverse group of Physicians. We can identify priorities for development and determine how to assist them in their unique ventures. Simultaneously, we have a perpetual desire for improvement. We avoid stagnation and chase evolution, while modeling this mindset to those we encounter. Each person will have their own style, yet these values keep us connected to our collective goals.”
Ultimately, Dr. Asar exemplifies the type of colleague we are proud to have at USACS—versatile, compassionate, and community-oriented. He has taken ownership of his career to balance clinical and academic aspirations. He has been there for his fellow Physicians with selfless dedication. His accomplishments do not go unnoticed and will continue to leave a lasting impression in the years to come.
To close out, Dr. Asar offers his final words. “I am absolutely honored and truly humbled to be recognized by such esteemed bodies. The awards reflect those who have empowered me to become the person I am. My family, mentors, and faculty keep me grounded and committed to growth. They motivate me to constantly be better today than I was yesterday, and this is what pushes me onward.”