BALTIMORE, July 8, 2024 — William Ashley, MD, PhD, MBA, FAANS, has assumed the role of president-elect of the board of directors for the Eastern States region of the American Heart Association (AHA), the world’s leading voluntary health organization dedicated to building longer, healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

Dr. Ashley will serve as president-elect through June 30, 2025, at which point he will assume a two-year term as president of the Eastern States Board of Directors. Dr. Ashley is the first neurosurgeon to serve as president-elect for this regional board.

Dr. Ashley is the Director of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery for The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, part of the LifeBridge Health System. In 2018, Dr. Ashley joined the Baltimore and Greater Maryland Division of the American Heart Association Board of Directors, and served as its president from 2021-2023. He also joined the Eastern States Regional Board of Directors in 2020. He has also served on the National American Heart Association Scientific Publication Committee since 2021.

Additionally, Dr. Ashley is a past Chair of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Stroke Quality Improvement Committee and past president of the American Society of Black Neurosurgeons. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and abstracts and acts as an editor for several national and international scientific journals. He is actively involved in clincal and translational research and is currently co-principal investigator for the Multidisciplinary Approach to Reduce Cardiovascular Health Disparities in Baltimore Racial Minority Communities trial (M-BRACE trial) which investigates potential differences in thrombogenicity between Black and White patients admitted with atherothrombotic events including acute coronary syndrome, multi-vessel coronary disease, and ischemic stroke.

“I am deeply honored to have been nominated for the position of President of the Eastern States Board of Directors. This is a very exciting opportunity,” Dr. Ashley said. “The Eastern States are vibrant and dynamic, and I appreciate the chance to be a part of that tradition. I look forward to working with the Eastern States Board even more closely and continuing to serve the American Heart Association as we move into the next century. My focus has always been working to ensure optimum health for a diverse group of patients and their families. I will continue to do so by helping promote initiatives that aim to celebrate and uplift the health of the amazing communities within the Eastern States region and across the country.”

American Heart Association - Eastern States volunteers and staff serve more than 75 million people who live on the eastern seaboard of the United States. The Eastern States region includes 13 states and Washington, D.C., and five of the top 25 metropolitan areas in the U.S. In support of the AHA’s mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, the Eastern States region raises revenue to transform the health and well-being of local communities by providing science-based information, health resources, community programs and patient support. As the second-largest funder of cardiovascular research next to the federal government, the AHA is also a driver of change through its advocacy efforts, public and professional education and community services like CPR training.

In his role as president-elect, Dr. Ashley will work alongside Board President Dr. Leonard Y. Lee and other volunteer leaders to advance critical mission and fundraising priorities for the AHA. Areas of focus will build on existing efforts around removing barriers to health care access and quality, addressing issues of nutrition and food security, hypertension reduction and more.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ashley as president-elect to the Eastern States Region Board of Directors. His experience as a researcher and advocate for brain and heart health has had a profound impact on the health and well-being of those who live and work in the Greater Baltimore area and beyond,” said Kelly Grose, executive vice president of the American Heart Association’s Eastern States Region. “Dr. Ashley is a passionate advocate for our mission, and under his leadership, the Association’s Baltimore and Greater Maryland Board of Directors achieved 49 high-priority advocacy actions in 2022-2023, resulting in legislation and policies supporting our mission.”

Dr. Ashley graduated from Stanford University with a degree in biology and earned a medical degree as well as a doctoral degree in physiology and biophysics at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He also completed an M.B.A. in health care administration from the Loyola University of Chicago. He then completed a neurosurgical residency at Barnes Jewish Hospital/Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, followed by a dual fellowship in cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries:

Wayne Carter: wayne.carter@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org