Ashley Davis

Ashley Davis, MSN, APRN, CARN-AP, AAHIVS, FNP-C is the recipient of a Johnson & Johnson Edwidge Thomas Health Equity Scholarship. She is a student in the Psychiatric Mental Health Doctor of Nursing (PMHNP DNP) program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Ashley earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Virginia and Master of Science in Nursing from The George Washington University.

The inspiration to pursue the field of nursing for Ashley was established by her great grandmother, an African American nurse in rural West Virginia, who worked for the only white physician in her community who would treat black patients. Ashley’s desire to emulate this tenacious matriarch directly impacted the trajectory of her career. Over the past 10 years, Ashley has worked as a nurse practitioner caring for vulnerable and medically underserved populations. She currently works for the University of Maryland, Baltimore Institute of Human Virology within the Research Initiative on Infectious Disease and Substance Use (RIIS) providing HIV and HCV management, opioid use disorder treatment, pre and post exposure prophylaxis, sexually transmitted infection treatment, and gender affirming hormone therapy at a harm-reduction center in Washington, DC. As a nurse practitioner of color who resides in the community where she provides care, she feels that representation in all areas of clinical care and research is vital towards reducing the health disparities that disproportionately impact her community. By earning her PMHNP DNP degree, Ashley strives to care for her patients’ mental health as well as physical conditions. Furthermore, she hopes to eliminate many of the barriers endured by her patients by providing this care in an easily accessible, integrative setting to include mental health, substance use treatment, HIV treatment, and preventative medical care.

Ashley is a Certified Addictions Registered Nurse-Advanced Practice (CARN-AP) as well as an HIV specialist (AAHIVS) through the American Academy of HIV Medicine. Her research and clinical interests include examining the impact of substance use disorders on minority communities and implementing low barrier models of care with a harm-reduction lens to improve access and outcomes in high-risk, vulnerable populations. Additionally, she has a particular interest in mitigating the high rates of tobacco use disorder in those with substance use and psychiatric disorders.

Other accomplishments achieved by Ashley include being a Minority Doctoral Fellow through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)/American Nurses Association (ANA) as well as a United Health Foundation Diversity in Health Care Scholar.

With the support of the Johnson & Johnson Edwidge Thomas Health Equity Scholarship, Ashley endeavors to expand her knowledge and expertise throughout her doctoral program to improve the lives of individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders and mental health conditions.