Image Description

Shehar Bano Awais, MD

Shehar Bano Awais, MD, is a resident at WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital FMR Program in Lebanon, PA. She is a 2026 recipient of a STFM Foundation Faculty for Tomorrow Resident Scholarship.

Dr Awais' Family Medicine Story

Why are you interested in teaching family medicine?

Dr Awais: Knowledge and teaching have always been at the heart of medicine. Every scientific discovery, treatment, and advancement was only possible because someone shared their knowledge and built upon the work of others. In medicine, learning is continuous. Each year brings new evidence, updated guidelines, and newer treatment methods. As a PGY-3 resident, I recognize how deeply my growth has depended on those who were willing to teach me. I often think of my attending who, whenever I asked, “Can I ask you a question?” would warmly respond, “Always.” That openness and generosity of spirit is the same attitude I aspire to carry forward. My journey, growing up in Canada, studying medicine in Pakistan, and training in the US, has given me a unique perspective on how culture and health care systems shape patient care. As an international medical graduate, I understand how sharing knowledge not only makes us better physicians but also keeps us open-minded and adaptable. 

Teaching has been a natural part of my life from the start. Helping those who come after me has always been a personal goal, because making their path a little easier is both rewarding and meaningful. From helping my younger sister with schoolwork to leading study sessions in medical school, I have always found joy in guiding others. Now, as a resident, I deeply enjoy mentoring junior colleagues and seeing them succeed. Experiencing different teaching styles has also helped me choose the kind of educator I want to be; one who is approachable, supportive, and committed to lifelong learning. 

Throughout residency, I have actively engaged in STFM conferences, including both the STFM Annual Spring Conference and the STFM Conference on Practice Quality & Improvement. I am now applying for a faculty position after residency, and this scholarship would allow me to connect with like-minded educators, strengthen my teaching skills, and continue contributing to the future of family medicine. Teaching is not just about imparting knowledge; it is about building meaningful connections and shaping the next generation of physicians. That is the role I am most excited to embrace.

How do you think you can make a difference in the future of family medicine? 

Dr Awais: I believe the future of family medicine lies in the hands of the next generation of physicians, and I want to play an active role in shaping it. As a resident, I have seen firsthand how mentorship, advocacy, and wellness profoundly impact both training and patient care. My passion for family medicine extends beyond the clinical setting. I want to ensure that future physicians are supported, empowered, and equipped to carry this specialty forward. Wellness is especially close to my heart. As a member of my residency’s wellness committee, I have worked to foster a culture of support and compassion. I understand the importance of breaking the cycle of mistreatment that has too often been normalized in medicine. I am proud to be the kind of senior resident I wish I had; someone who remembers to be kind, who gives feedback with care, and who protects those in more vulnerable positions. I believe that if you are in a position of power, you carry a responsibility to protect others. Even small acts of kindness and respect can create lasting change. As Mother Teresa once said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” 

Beyond mentorship, I have built strong skills in scholarship and leadership. I have led and contributed to multiple research projects, focusing on increasing scholarly activity within a community-based residency program. This experience has made me deeply aware of the barriers to academic engagement in smaller programs, and I plan to work on breaking those barriers so more residents can thrive as clinician-educators. 

In addition, I have served as the Pennsylvania resident delegate to the AAFP Congress of Delegates, where I advocated on behalf of residents and gained invaluable experience in policy and leadership. Advocacy is essential to the future of family medicine, and I intend to instill this mindset in newer physicians. By combining mentorship, wellness, scholarship, and advocacy, I hope to leave a lasting impact- not just on my peers, but on the specialty. Just as a single stone creates ripples that expand outward, I believe each act of kindness, each moment of advocacy, and each shared piece of knowledge can ripple across generations, shaping the future of family medicine for the better.

Contribute to the Creation of the Next STFM Story

Transforming the future of family medicine would not be possible without the generosity of countless STFM members and supporters. Through both member and departmental donations, the STFM Foundation is able to support the pipeline for academic family medicine. 

Help transform the future of academic family medicine by donating to the STFM Foundation. If you have questions about the STFM Foundation, contact Mindy Householder at (800) 274-7928 or mhouseholder@stfm.org.

Image Description

How You Can Help: Transforming the future of family medicine would not be possible without the generosity of countless STFM members and supporters. Through both member and departmental donations, the STFM Foundation is able to support STFM's priority to develop the pipeline for academic family medicine. To transform the future of academic family medicine, donate to the STFM Foundation or contact Mindy Householder at (800) 274-7928 or mhouseholder@stfm.org.

Transform the Future of Family Medicine

Contact Us

11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway

Leawood, KS 66211

(800) 274-7928

Email: stfmoffice@stfm.org 

Useful Links

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.