Hooked on Primary Care with Ashley Denmark, DO

Since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a pediatrician. My father was a carpenter, and my mother worked for the state. No one in my family has ever been to medical school, so I was in uncharted waters.

I think what motivated me the most was going to medical school while pregnant. I interviewed at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, and 2 days later found out I was pregnant. I was like, “What’s going on in the universe? What happened?” I was happy, but I was crying. I told myself, “It’s going to be fine.”

I am a proud family medicine physician. I realize the impact we can make. Also, I realize how important it is for even young children to see doctors that look like that and reflect their image. When a doctor understands your culture and background, it makes a difference. Health care is so complicated — that is why bedside manner and having cultural competence is so essential to care. When you are a family medicine doctor, you get to know your patients and the reasons why they take medication and some of the reasons why they refuse to take medication. You can create a sound plan for their health care lives that is likely to be carried out.

Ashley Denmark, DO
Family medicine osteopathic physician
American Osteopathic Association