Resident Class of 2021 – Ashley Smith
By Elizabeth Walker | June 6 2017
Ashley clearing 12'10
Ashley Smith, DO was born at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor but grew up in Marshall, Michigan. She attended Michigan State University for her undergrad education. She likes to claim she actually majored in pole vaulting, as she competed as a member of the track and field team. She did eventually earn a B.S. in Human Biology, as well as a fourth-place finish at the Big Ten Conference Championships. During the two years she took off before starting medical school, she had her first introduction to pathology while working as a phlebotomist in a small lab at Oaklawn Hospital in her hometown of Marshall, Michigan. She went on to earn her DO degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
What motivated you to pursue a career in Pathology?
Going to medical school with a sports background, I originally thought I would pursue a career in orthopedic surgery or sports medicine. However, once I began clinical rotations in my third year I quickly realized that my favorite part of medicine was the diagnosis. I liked the how and why of everything, and not so much the what to do next. I should have known, since I’m the type of person who loves spoilers, and I always skip ahead to the end of books to make sure my favorite character survives! Plus, after a lifetime of searching for Petoskey stones on the shores of Lake Michigan, I have excellent pattern recognition! It wasn’t until my forensic pathology rotation in Kalamazoo that I realized I was already set on a career in pathology.
What about Pathology fascinates you the most?
Along the course of my medical education, I have met a few truly exceptional mentors (from several different disciplines) who have greatly influenced me. I would love to be that for someone else in the future. I love that pathology as a specialty is the closest to the basic sciences, and as such we are in the best position to be teachers to our patients, colleagues, and students. And besides, I’ll basically be solving puzzles every day!
What excites you most about joining the Department of Pathology at U of M?
I am so excited to finally be a Wolverine! Both of my parents are huge U of M fans, and that’s how they raised me. They were very confused when I decided to go to MSU for undergrad…but it worked out! I feel that the quality of the program speaks for itself – the numerous research and fellowship opportunities, the amazing people I will get to work with, and getting to live in fabulous Ann Arbor…what more could I ask for?
(Left) Ashley with her husband, Barent, just after getting engaged on North Beach in Leland, MI; (Right) Ashley's cats (left to right) Momo and Babou.
How do you spend your free time?
I’m not going to lie, I LOVE to sleep. I love rolling in bed for hours, either cuddling with cats and my husband, reading a new sci-fi book, binge-watching Netflix documentaries, or working on a new crochet project (yes, my spirit animal is a grandma). When I am finally able to drag myself from my blankets, I enjoy trying out new breweries or wineries, beachcombing around the awesome Great Lakes, and playing board games with close friends.
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