Ashley Young, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Seeing the gap: "I’ve been in healthcare since 2012, beginning my career in medical-surgical units and oncology, where I learned how deeply illness can affect every part of a person’s life. I transitioned to family practice in 2017, caring for patients across all stages of life. It was there that I began to clearly see how often women’s concerns, especially in midlife, were overlooked or minimized."

Flipping the script on the midlife narrative: "One moment with a patient changed everything for me. I cared for a 45-year-old woman who sat in my office crying about how awful she felt. I wanted to help her, but I didn’t yet have the knowledge or tools to treat her the way she deserved. That experience stayed with me and pushed me to learn more, grow as a clinician, and work toward closing the gap in care for women."

Care as partnership: "When a woman comes to me feeling unheard or dismissed, I start by acknowledging her experience and making sure she knows she’s truly been heard. I always strive to focus on the patient in front of me, help her feel seen and validated, and work together to find the best path forward so she can feel better."

Putting midlife back in the conversation: "What continuously inspires me about this work is knowing that we’re truly making a difference in women’s lives, and that they no longer have to navigate this stage of life alone."