Meet Dr. Kristin Ashford
Kristin Ashford, PhD, WHNP-BC, FAAN, is a professor at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing, where she holds the position of Good Samaritan Endowed Chair of Community Nursing. As the founder and Director of the Perinatal Research and Wellness Center, Dr. Ashford leads an interprofessional team dedicated to translating research into practice and advising policymakers on issues related to maternal and child health substance use. She has created programs that address healthcare gaps and enhance treatment for perinatal women. Through her significant contributions and advocacy as an Ambassador for the National Institute of Nursing Research, Dr. Ashford has been honored as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.
Dr. Ashford completed the esteemed Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship at the National Academy of Medicine, where she served as a health policy fellow on the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Health Subcommittee. In this capacity, she played a crucial role in organizing congressional hearings, led numerous national constituency meetings, acted as a policy analyst, and assisted in drafting national public health, mental health and substance use treatment legislation.