Checking in with DR. JENNIFER ASHTON

During the global crisis of the past twoplus years, Dr. Jennifer Ashton has presented information she has felt that viewers need.

ABC News’ chief medical correspondent has had a weekday platform for that by joining co-anchors Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes in “GMA3: What You Need to Know,” positioned as a third daily hour of “Good Morning America” but dealing to a great extent with medical Issues, particularly as they relate to the coronavirus pandemic. That’s where Ashton comes in, reporting the latest findings and answering audience questions.

“Because of my position at ABC,” Ashton says, “I am plugged into the CDC (the Centers for Disease Control), the FDA (the Food and Drug Administration), the top epidemiologists and the top infectiousdisease specialists. When something happens, I’m contacting these people personally and directly, to get additional insights so that I can do my analysis for our viewers.”

As she maintains a private practice, Ashton notes that her access to senior medical professionals enables her to share “a perspective that is all-compassing. Since Day One (of the pandemic), I’ve breathing and dreaming all things COVID.” (Ashton herself had a bout with the disease at the start of this year.)

While it arguably has been more urgent since early 2020, Ashton’s television work has long been second nature to her. She reflects, “I already had known and met with Tony (Dr. Anthony) Fauci before the first (pandemic) story hit. I remember when checkpoints were being put on U.S. airports, my phone rang, and it was him. I said, ‘Is this just optics?’ And he said, ‘Jen, I would take this seriously.’ And that was the beginning of it.”

Birthdate: April 23, 1969 Birthplace: Victorville, Calif. Current residences: New York and Connecticut

Marital status: Engaged; has two children

Other television credits include: “The Early Show,” “CBS Evening News,” “The Doctors,” “The Dr. Oz Show”

Honors include those from: American Heart Association, Girl Scouts, The Octoberwoman Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness, the Policemen’s Benevolent Association, the city of

Englewood (N.J.), the Alfred I. dupontcolumbia University Awards for Excellence in Journalism

Medical certifications: Double board-certified in OB-GYN and obesity medicine, Master’s degree in nutrition

Medical degree: Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons

Post-graduate training site: St. Luke’s-roosevelt Hospital Center, New York