Dr. Ashley grew up in Donalsonville, Georgia. After graduating from Seminole County High School in 1982, he attended the University of Georgia (UGA) obtaining a dual Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry in 1986. He completed a Master’s degree in Biochemistry at UGA in 1988. He jokes that he defended his Master degree thesis on Thursday, made revisions on Friday, moved to Atlanta on Saturday, and started medical school on Monday (true story – a metaphor for the rest of my life). He attended Emory University School of Medicine (EUSM) 1988-1995 obtaining a combined MD PHD degree with his PhD awarded in Genetics and Molecular Biology. His doctoral work in molecular biology involved cloning of the gene for Fragile X syndrome from mice which paved the way for establishing a mouse model for Fragile X syndrome. His world resulted in multiple publications and earned him the international achievements by a predoctoral graduate student. He remained at EUSM for his Pediatric residency training from 1995-1998, then served as co-chief resident of Pediatrics the following year. He joined Southeastern Pediatric Associates in Dothan, Alabama in 199 where he has been in practice for over 20 years. Dr. Ashley has spent his Pediatric career caring for children with complex physical and mental health disorders. He has cared for over a hundred children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) and has served as the medical director for Camp Sugar Falls, a day-camp for children with T1DM, since its inception in Dothan over a decade ago. He has a passion for children with special needs, and he has cared for hundreds of children and families dealing with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In addition, he has served as the only provider in the state of Alabama for children with PANS/PANDAS, a complex post-infectious autoimmune syndrome, for over 12 years. Dr. Ashley states, “As a father, I have experienced ASD and PANDAS firsthand. It is absolutely impossible for anyone, friends and family included, to understand what that means unless they have lived this gut-wrenching, unpredictable, and often volatile experience.” “At Innovative Healthcare, the first thing we are going to do is listen. Nobody knows a child better than their parents, and no two children with complex conditions are the same. Most families I see are extremely frustrated feeling that they have not been heard. It is my mission and the mission of Innovative Healthcare to remedy that problem, as I believe our best chance of success for your child depends upon this basic medical principle.”