Heritage College Class of 2024 Graduate Profile: Ashleigh Chiedo

Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2024 graduate Ashleigh Chiedo was born in Yonkers, New York but raised in Jacksonville, Florida. She received her bachelor's degree in exercise physiology at Florida State University and later completed her master's in biomedical and Health Sciences at the University Alabama, Birmingham. She will be doing a family medicine residency at Emory University in Atlanta.

What was your childhood like? Who were your inspirations? Was there anything critical that happened that brought you to this point in life?

My childhood was instrumental in creating the person I am today. Both my parents were born and raised in Nigeria and came to the U.S. in search of creating a life with limitless opportunities. My inspirations are my family members. Being the oldest of four children, I have been molded by those closest to me. However, [my inspirations] also include mentors I met along the way. Having parents working in health care, I was always more inclined to follow suit, but when my dad fell ill during my transition from grade school to high school that is when my fate was sealed. I knew from then on, serving others through the care I provide was going to be a part of who I am. 

What led you to medical school?

I held a number of jobs in health care from medical scribe, surgical technician and medical assistant in between the degrees I completed. Through those experiences I witnessed gaps in care, I was an ally when health disparities were present, and I admired leadership that looked beyond and saw the bigger picture. I quickly realized I not only wanted to work in health care, but I also wanted to be a leader. Leaders are not merely born, they are created. I believe the hardships and challenges I faced has allowed me to be well suited to carry out leadership roles in the future, and I knew medical school was an essential part of that journey. 

What was the most impactful experience you had while in medical school?

The most impactful experience I had in medical school was during my time as the student director of community outreach. I wanted to leave a legacy that would help propel our community forward. I drew up a blueprint for an OU-HCOM Public Day of Service and shared it with my counterparts on the Cleveland and Athens campuses as well as with school leadership. I then started coordinating how to create an opportunity where we would kick off National Osteopathic Medicine Week with students on all three campuses volunteering and giving back to their local communities. We were able to set up in-person engagements as well as canned food drives all in an effort to show gratitude to the areas we are training in. We successfully executed this wonderful act, and the next year its blueprint was used to make it a national initiative that now all osteopathic medical schools enact each year. This national tradition is two years strong and my contribution made that possible, and for that it is my most impactful experience!

What was the most important lesson you learned while in medical school?

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Medicine and leadership hinges on teamwork. It is important to learn how to best conduct yourself in team environments, because you can accomplish more with not only help but a diversity of ideas and backgrounds enriching your efforts. As medical students, we are all high achievers, but no one is above collaboration and teamwork. 

Were you involved in research? If so, could you share more about what you worked on?

I have been heavily involved in research. I completed a Summer Research Fellowship at Mayo Clinic between my first and second year of medical school. During this time, I worked on a project with Astra Zeneca, a major pharmaceutical company, on learning the intricacies of pulmonary hypertension and its effects on human tissue so that we can better create a drug that can target the disease progression. I went on to submit a paper for a different project within the Mayo Clinic network that looked at how female hormones can impact bronchial smooth muscle cells in those with respiratory ailments. My most recent publication was with an infectious disease team at University of Alabama Birmingham. This project addressed the disproportionality in which HIV affects those of color in the South. The aim of this project was to create programs in the local high schools that will not only provide insight but also empower that same population to seek jobs in health care in an effort to change future outcomes. 

What are you most excited about for your future?

I am most excited about becoming a family medicine physician and working in academics and leadership addressing the things I am most passionate about. Being able to complete my training at Emory University is going to set me up for success in many ways while allowing me to work with a population I am eager to serve. I am looking forward to being a mentor and being part of this rising generation of doctors who are dedicated to meeting the needs of their communities by being as broadly trained as possible. I am also, on a personal note, looking forward to getting married June 2024 and becoming a wife and future mother. Family is who made me who I am, and I can’t wait to build a strong one of my own! 

Who has helped you along the way? Is there anyone you want to recognize?

Becoming a physician takes a village. I have a wonderful one which starts with my parents, Mark and Emilia Chiedo. I also have my wonderful siblings to thank: Brandon, Chelsea and Dylan Chiedo! My grandmother, Virginia, has also been very instrumental in my perseverance. Additionally, I would like to thank my fiancé, Thomas Eyre, for his unwavering support from the time we met in 2016. I am grateful for his parents, Bob and Sue Eyre, his siblings, Dan and Sammie, as well as their nurturing extended families who have supported me every step of the way. 

How do you like to spend your free time?

In my free time I love to travel and see new parts of the world. I also love to cook, go to shows or concerts, play golf and spend time with loved ones! 

What didn’t I ask that you’d like to share?

My parting words are that I urge you to “find your people” and “go where you are celebrated, not tolerated.” These two things were shared with me by mentors and has been constant reminders. The former refers to in your professional and personal life find those who make you better, who see the good you want to do and are doing similar, and whose values align with your own. The latter refers to never settling. In life you will be faced with many choices, but you should never have to choose between being yourself and being what others want you to be. Be steadfast in your pursuit of finding places that are overjoyed to have YOU and see your worth. Thank you OU-HCOM for seeing my worth and helping me grow as a rising physician. Go Bobcats!