Ashley N. Leak

Ashley has practiced nursing for almost 5 years and has spent most of her time in oncology and geriatric nursing. For 2 years, Ashley was a Clinical Instructor in the Accelerated BSN Program at Duke University School of Nursing. Ashley received her BSN from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2003 and received her MSN in Nursing Administration from her alma mater in 2005. Ashley is a member of Oncology Nursing Society and her local chapter, North Carolina Nurses Association/American Nurses Association, and Sigma Theta Tau International.

Ashley has a strong commitment to serving those underserved and underprivileged. She had the opportunity during her undergraduate education to work with Montagnard refugees and provide educational materials on contraceptive use and dental care. During her senior year of nursing school, she traveled to Honduras on a short term study abroad mission and provided health services to the Hondurans. During her graduate education, Ashley traveled to Russia and spoke with nurse and clinic administrators about their role in the healthcare system. Ashley plans to participate in study abroad activities during her doctoral studies and wants to continue to advocate and provide services to underserved populations.

Ashley is a 1st year doctoral student in the School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ashley's research interest includes care of African American cancer survivors and how spirituality affects overall quality of life. Ashley graciously thanks NEF for financially supporting nurses who desire to further their education and improve lives for all people.