Dr. Jennifer Ashton

Dr. Jennifer Ashton is a physician-journalist known for her work as chief health and medical correspondent for ABC News, where she became the first woman and third physician to hold that position in the network's history. Ashton is a triple graduate of Columbia University, earning her medical degree from Vagelos Physicians & Surgeons and a master's degree in nutrition. She is double board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and obesity medicine, and has delivered more than 1,500 babies and treated thousands of patients throughout her clinical career. Ashton is recognized for her expertise in women's health, nutrition, and obesity medicine, distinguishing her in the field of medical journalism.

Ashton's television career includes more than 17 years of live national network broadcasting. Before joining ABC News, she served as senior medical correspondent for CBS News, appearing on The Early Show and CBS Evening News, and received the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for Excellence in Journalism for her work on the Children of the Recession series. She co-hosted the syndicated daytime medical program "The Doctors" and was a regular expert guest on "The Dr. Oz Show." At ABC News, Ashton co-hosted "GMA3: What You Need to Know" and reported on a wide range of medical topics, including maternal mortality, mental health, heart disease, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her reporting included visits to the NIH Vaccine Development Lab, coverage from the White House, and meetings with the Coronavirus Task Force.

A four-time Emmy Award winner, Ashton has also received the American Heart Association's Women Changing the World Award and Go Red for Women Award, and has been named one of New York Moves' Power Women. She was recognized as a John Jay Award honoree by Columbia University for professional achievement. Her philanthropic work includes recognition from The Girl Scouts, The OctoberWoman Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness, and the Policemen's Benevolent Association Medal of Honor for providing emergency medical care to injured officers. Ashton also provided medical care in Haiti following the earthquake, working with a medical team for eight days.

Ashton is the author of six books on health topics, including "The Body Scoop for Girls," "Your Body Beautiful," "Eat This, Not That! When You're Expecting," "The Self-Care Solution: A Year of Becoming Happier, Healthier, and Fitter — One Month at a Time," and "The New Normal: A Roadmap to Resilience in the Pandemic Era." Her book "Life After Suicide: Finding Courage, Comfort & Community After Unthinkable Loss" addresses mental health and grief. She has served as editor-in-chief of The Dr. Jen Ashton Magazine, which achieved significant success for its publisher.

Ashton later founded Ajenda, a science-based digital platform focused on women's health, weight management, nutrition, and fitness, particularly for women over 40. She is a frequent keynote speaker and moderator at national events, providing expertise on women's health, wellness, and the intersection of medicine and daily life.