{{short description|American physician (born 1969)}} {{distinguish|Jennifer Aniston}} {{Infobox person | image = Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - IDF Coordination with American Doctor.jpg | name = Jennifer Ashton | birth_name = Jennifer Lee Garfein | caption = Dr. Ashton (''left'') in [[2010 Haiti earthquake|Haiti after the earthquake, 2010]] | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|4|23|mf=y}} | birth_place = [[George Air Force Base]], [[California]], U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | alma_mater = [[Columbia University]] | occupation = OB-GYN | spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Robert C. Ashton Jr.|1996|2017|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|[[Tom Werner]]|2022}}}} | children = 2 | footnotes = }}

'''Jennifer Lee Garfein Ashton''' (born April 23, 1969) is an American [[physician]], author and [[television]] [[correspondent]]. She was chief health and medical editor and chief [[medical journalism|medical correspondent]] for ''[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]'' and ''[[Good Morning America]]'', chief [[women's health]] correspondent for ''[[The Dr. Oz Show]]'', and a columnist for ''[[Cosmopolitan Magazine]]''. Ashton was also a regular contributor to the ABC daytime program ''[[GMA3: What You Need to Know]]'' until 2024. She is also a frequent [[guest speaker]] and [[Discussion moderator|moderator]] for events raising awareness of women's health issues.<ref>* {{Cite news|url=https://www.papercitymag.com/society/american-heart-association-dallas-luncheon-raises-record-18-million-dr-jennifer-ashton/|title=A Celebrity Doctor, Women in Red and a Staggering $1.8 Million Raised|work=Paper City Magazine|access-date=2019-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924014945/https://www.papercitymag.com/society/american-heart-association-dallas-luncheon-raises-record-18-million-dr-jennifer-ashton/|archive-date=2019-09-24|url-status=live}} * {{Cite news|url=https://6abc.com/health/the-opioid-crisis-6abc-town-hall-addresses-abuse-and-addiction/5552873/|title=The Opioid Crisis: 6abc Town Hall addresses abuse and addiction|work=6ABC|access-date=2019-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924013439/https://6abc.com/health/the-opioid-crisis-6abc-town-hall-addresses-abuse-and-addiction/5552873/|archive-date=2019-09-24|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Early life and education == Ashton was born in [[Victorville, California]] to Oscar Garfein, a New York City [[cardiologist]], and Dorothy Garfein, a [[registered nurse]].{{Citation needed |date=May 2023}} Her brother, Evan Garfein, is chief of [[plastic surgery]] and [[reconstructive surgery]] at [[Montefiore Medical Center|Montefiore Hospital]] in [[New York City]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.montefiore.org/body.cfm?id=1735&action=detail&ref=3252|title=Dr. Evan S. Garfein MD|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718211453/http://www.montefiore.org/body.cfm?id=1735&action=detail&ref=3252|archive-date=2018-07-18|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ashton attended [[Horace Mann School]] in [[Riverdale, Bronx|Riverdale]], New York City,<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.horacemann.org/mobile.cfm?p=1080&newsid=221 |title = Women's Issues Club Dinner on Body Image Features Alumni Panelists |website = Horace Mann School |access-date = January 16, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180719054549/https://www.horacemann.org/mobile.cfm?p=1080&newsid=221 |archive-date = July 19, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref> where she studied [[French language|French]] and [[English studies|English]]. She graduated from [[Columbia College, Columbia University]] in 1991 with a [[bachelor's degree]] in [[art history]].<ref name="cbsjoin">{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dr-jennifer-ashton-new-med-correspondent/|title=Dr. Jennifer Ashton: New Med Correspondent|date=April 1, 2009|website=CBS News|access-date=January 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719055726/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dr-jennifer-ashton-new-med-correspondent/|archive-date=July 19, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=mediabistro>{{cite web |url = https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/cbs-the-early-show-hires-new-doc/ |title = CBS' The Early Show Hires New Doc |last = Ariens |first = Chris |date = March 31, 2009 |website = Mediabistro |access-date = January 16, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140407065407/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/cbs-the-early-show-hires-new-doc_b29027 |archive-date = April 7, 2014 |url-status = live }}</ref> She completed a [[doctor of medicine|medical degree]] from [[Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons]] in 2000.<ref name=cbsjoin /><ref name=thedoctors>{{cite web|url = http://www.thedoctorstv.com/doctors/main?name=Jennifer+Ashton|title = Dr. Jennifer Asthon|website = The Doctors|access-date = January 16, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131231023927/http://www.thedoctorstv.com/doctors/main?name=Jennifer+Ashton|archive-date = December 31, 2013|url-status = live}}</ref> While at Columbia, she served as President of her medical school class for all four years and was awarded the Bartlestone Prize in Pharmacology at graduation.{{Citation needed |date=October 2023}}

Upon completion of her residency at Mt. Sinai West (formerly St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital in NYC), she was awarded Chief Resident of the Year, this was the first time this award was ever given in the history of the program. She subsequently earned a [[master's degree]] in [[dietetics|nutrition]] from Columbia University, in 2016.<ref name=thedoctors /><ref>{{cite web |url = http://jenniferashtonmd.com/dr-ashton-off-duty/why-i-decided-to-go-back-to-school-/2013/12/03/ |title = Why I decided to go back to school???!! |last = Jennifer |first = Asthon |date = December 3, 2013 |website = Jennifer Ashton MD |access-date = January 16, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042828/http://jenniferashtonmd.com/dr-ashton-off-duty/why-i-decided-to-go-back-to-school-/2013/12/03/ |archive-date = March 4, 2016 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://ahadallas.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/20182019DallasGoRedLuncheon/Event/KeynoteSpeaker/tabid/1027467/Default.aspx|title=Keynote Speaker|website=ahadallas.ejoinme.org|access-date=2020-02-12}}</ref>

==Career== Ashton is [[board certification|double board-certified]] in [[obstetrics]] and [[gynecology]], and in obesity medicine.<ref name=bio>{{cite web |url = http://jenniferashtonmd.com/dr-ashtons-bio/ |title = Dr. Ashton's Bio |website = Jennifer Ashton MD |publisher = The Brooks Group |access-date = January 16, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131005062029/http://jenniferashtonmd.com/dr-ashtons-bio/ |archive-date = October 5, 2013 |url-status = live }}</ref> She completed her [[medical residency|residency]] at St. Luke's–Roosevelt Hospital Center (now [[Mount Sinai Morningside]]) in New York.<ref name=cbsjoin /><ref name=mediabistro /><ref name=":0" /> Ashton has worked as an [[attending physician]] at [[Englewood Hospital and Medical Center]], affiliated with [[Mount Sinai Hospital (Manhattan)|Mount Sinai Medical Center]], in [[Englewood, New Jersey|Englewood]], New Jersey.<ref name=wysk >{{cite web |url = http://www.womenyoushouldknow.net/all-about-the-thyroid-with-dr-jennifer-ashton/ |title = All About The Thyroid With Dr. Jennifer Ashton |date = February 12, 2012 |website = Women You Should Know |access-date = January 16, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140313120646/http://www.womenyoushouldknow.net/all-about-the-thyroid-with-dr-jennifer-ashton/ |archive-date = March 13, 2014 |url-status = live }}</ref>

Ashton began her television career in 2006 as the first female medical contributor to the [[Fox News|Fox News Channel]].<ref name=cbsjoin /><ref name=mediabistro /><ref name=dhs>{{cite web|url=http://www.dhsliterary.com/authors/ashton.aspx |title=Jennifer Ashton |website=David Hale Smith Literary |access-date=January 16, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214163611/http://www.dhsliterary.com/authors/ashton.aspx |archive-date=December 14, 2014 }}</ref> She appeared on [[TLC (TV network)|TLC]]'s ''[[A Baby Story]]'', on [[PBS]], and on [[Oprah & Friends]] [[XM radio]]'s ''The Dr. Oz Show''.<ref name=dhs /><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.englewoodhospital.com/about_news_press_09_15.asp |title = Dr. Jennifer Ashton Named CBS Broadcast News Correspondent |date = April 15, 2009 |website = Englewood Hospital and Medical Center |access-date = January 16, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130605135145/http://www.englewoodhospital.com/about_news_press_09_15.asp |archive-date = June 5, 2013 |url-status = dead }}</ref> She has appeared on programs including A Baby Story (TLC), PBS, and The Dr. Oz Show on Oprah & Friends XM radio. In 2009, she joined [[CBS News]] as a medical correspondent.<ref name=cbsjoin /><ref name=mediabistro /> In 2012, she became the medical expert for ABC's daytime wellness series ''[[The Revolution (TV program)|The Revolution]]'' in 2012,<ref name=bio /><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Jennifer-Ashton-Tiffanie-Davis-Henry-Join-ABC-Daytimes-THE-REVOLUTION-20111031 |title = Jennifer Ashton, Tiffanie Davis Henry Join ABC Daytime's The Revolution |date = October 31, 2011 |website = broadwayworld.com |publisher = Wisdom Digital Media |access-date = January 16, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140407091309/http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Jennifer-Ashton-Tiffanie-Davis-Henry-Join-ABC-Daytimes-THE-REVOLUTION-20111031 |archive-date = April 7, 2014 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/tv-column/post/abc-cancels-the-revolution-hangs-on-to-general-hospital/2012/04/11/gIQA87sHBT_blog.html |title = ABC cancels 'The Revolution,' hangs on to 'General Hospital' |last = de Moraes |first = Lisa |date = April 11, 2012 |newspaper = Washington Post |access-date = January 16, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141217084737/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/tv-column/post/abc-cancels-the-revolution-hangs-on-to-general-hospital/2012/04/11/gIQA87sHBT_blog.html |archive-date = December 17, 2014 |url-status = live }}</ref> and later that year joined [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] as a senior medical contributor, making regular appearances on ''Good Morning America'' and ''[[ABC World News Tonight]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/10/dr-jennifer-ashton-joins-abc-news/ |title = Dr. Jennifer Ashton Joins ABC News |date = October 22, 2012 |website = ABC News |access-date = January 16, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140214032207/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/10/dr-jennifer-ashton-joins-abc-news/ |archive-date = February 14, 2014 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/bios/display_bios.aspx?bio_type=news_correspondents&bio_id=409 |title=Dr. Jennifer Ashton |website=ABC MediaNet |access-date=January 16, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829151618/http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/bios/display_bios.aspx?bio_type=news_correspondents&bio_id=409 |archive-date=August 29, 2014 }}</ref> In 2013, she became an on-air contributor to ''[[The Doctors (talk show)|The Doctors]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.bergen.com/people/New_Gig_Englewoods_Dr_Jennifer_Ashton_joins_CBS_Televisions_The_Doctors.html |archive-url = https://archive.today/20140117022523/http://www.bergen.com/people/New_Gig_Englewoods_Dr_Jennifer_Ashton_joins_CBS_Televisions_The_Doctors.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = January 17, 2014 |title = New Gig: Englewood's Dr. Jennifer Ashton joins "The Doctors" |date = October 15, 2013 |website = bergen.com |access-date = January 16, 2014 }}</ref> In March 2020, she served as co-host of ''[[GMA3: What You Need to Know]]'' (formerly Pandemic: What You Need to Know).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/abc-news-coronavirus-amy-robach-strahan-sara-keke-1203536909/|title=ABC Will Suspend 'Strahan, Sara & Keke' in Favor of Coronavirus News Show|last=Steinberg|first=Brian|date=March 17, 2020|work=Variety|access-date=March 18, 2020}}</ref> She held the roles of chief health and medical editor and chief medical correspondent for ABC News and Good Morning America, becoming the third physician and the first woman to do so.{{Citation needed |date=October 2023}}

Ashton is the author of several books, including ''The Body Scoop for Girls'' (2009), ''Your Body Beautiful'' (2012), ''Eat This, Not That! When You're Expecting: The Doctor Recommended Plan for Baby and You'' (2016), ''Life After Suicide'' (2019), ''The Self Care Solution'' (2019), and ''The New Normal'' (2021). In 2023, she launched ''The Dr. Jen Ashton Magazine'', serving as its editor-in-chief. According to [[A360media]], it was their most successful magazine launch in three years.{{Citation needed |date=October 2023}}

In April 2024, Ashton announced her departure from ABC News to launch a wellness company called Ajenda. She left ABC News in June 2024 upon the expiration of her contract.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weprin |first=Alex |date=2024-04-18 |title='GMA3' Co-Host Dr. Jennifer Ashton to Leave ABC News to Launch Wellness Company (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jennifer-ashton-leaving-abc-news-good-morning-america-gma-women-wellness-company-ajenda-1235876227/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Personal life== On August 31, 1996, Ashton married Robert Ashton Jr, a [[thoracic surgeon|thoracic]] and [[cardiac surgeon]] and later had two children. They divorced in January 2017. Robert Ashton died by suicide on February 11, 2017 after the divorce finalization, [[suicide bridge|jumping off]] the [[George Washington Bridge]] into the [[Hudson River]] below.<ref>{{cite web|author-last=DeMarco|author-first=Jerry|title=TV Medical Personality's Ex Jumps To Death From GWB|url=http://fortlee.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/tv-medical-personalitys-ex-jumps-to-death-from-gwb/699612/|website=Fort Lee Daily Voice|publisher=Cantata Media|access-date=18 July 2018|date=12 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719024310/http://fortlee.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/tv-medical-personalitys-ex-jumps-to-death-from-gwb/699612/|archive-date=19 July 2018}}</ref> Ashton had made no public mention of the story until June 6, 2018, when she mentioned her and her family's grieving over it in an interview with colleague [[George Stephanopoulos]] on ''[[Good Morning America]]'' during a story about the suicide of designer [[Kate Spade]].{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Ashton became engaged to [[Boston Red Sox]] chairman and television producer [[Tom Werner]] in January 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 3, 2022 |first=Emily |last=Strohm |title=ABC News' Jennifer Ashton Is Engaged to Tom Werner |url=https://people.com/tv/abc-news-jennifer-ashton-engaged-to-tom-werner/ |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|language=en}}</ref> They were married on November 5, 2022, at the [[Harmonie Club]] in New York City, in a traditional [[Jewish wedding|Jewish wedding ceremony]] presided over by a rabbi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/tv/abc-news-jennifer-ashton-weds-tom-werner/|title=ABC News' Jennifer Ashton Weds Tom Werner: 'I Never Thought I'd Find Love Like This'|website=People|first=Emily|last=Strohm|date=November 6, 2022|access-date=November 7, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/brides/20221107156290/gma-dr-jennifer-ashton-new-wedding-photos-exclusive-emotional-moment-revealed/|title=Dr. Jennifer Ashton stuns in exclusive new wedding photos from star-studded ceremony|website=HELLO! Magazine|first=Hanna|last=Fillingham|date=November 7, 2022|access-date=February 19, 2024}}</ref>

Ashton has revealed that she learned [[Transcendental Meditation technique|Transcendental Meditation]] through the [[David Lynch Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Healthy Hollywood: Jennifer Ashton|url=http://www.skinnymom.com/2014/12/07/healthy-hollywood-jennifer-ashton/|website=Skinny Mom|access-date=15 December 2014|date=7 December 2014|quote=I felt that my body was in shape, but I needed to take care of my mind and spirit better. TM is easy, and involves just 20 min, twice a day. It is a great way to prevent or deal with stress. That’s my mental wellness ritual now|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215232227/http://www.skinnymom.com/2014/12/07/healthy-hollywood-jennifer-ashton/|archive-date=15 December 2014}}</ref>

==Bibliography== * ''The Body Scoop for Girls: A Straight-Talk Guide to a Healthy, Beautiful You'', Jennifer Ashton with Christine Larson, 2009, {{ISBN|1-5833-3458-0}}. * ''Your Body Beautiful: Clockstopping Secrets to Staying Healthy, Strong, and Sexy in Your 30s, 40s, and Beyond'', Jennifer Ashton with Christine Rojo, 2012. {{ISBN|1-5833-3458-0}} * ''Eat This When You're Expecting, Not That: Your Complete Guide to the Very Best Foods For Every Stage of Pregnancy'', Jennifer Ashton, and David Zinczenko, 2016. {{ISBN|0-425-28471-9|}} * ''Life After Suicide: Finding Courage, Comfort & Community After Unthinkable Loss'', Jennifer Ashton, 2019. {{ISBN|9-780-06290603-8|}}

==Awards and honors== In 2007, Ashton was recognized as a Woman of Achievement by the [[Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey]].<ref name=wysk /> In 2008, she received the Hope for The Future Award from The Octoberwoman Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness.<ref name=wysk /> While working as CBS News Network’s Medical Correspondent in 2009-2011, Dr. Ashton received the prestigious [[Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award|Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for Excellence in Journalism]]. Dr. Jennifer Ashton is the recipient of the [[American Heart Association|American Heart Association's]] 2023 Woman Changing the World Award. She is also a four time [[Emmy Awards|Emmy Award]] winner.{{Citation needed |date=October 2023}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.jenniferashtonmd.com Professional practice page] * [http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Jennifer_Ashton.html Profile on Vitals.com] * {{Instagram|drjashton}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ashton, Jennifer}} [[Category:20th-century American medical doctors]] [[Category:21st-century American medical doctors]] [[Category:20th-century American women medical doctors]] [[Category:21st-century American women medical doctors]] [[Category:American gynecologists]] [[Category:American women gynecologists]] [[Category:Medical doctors from New York City]] [[Category:Jewish American medical doctors]] [[Category:American health and wellness writers]] [[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]] [[Category:21st-century American women writers]] [[Category:American women non-fiction writers]] [[Category:Jewish American non-fiction writers]] [[Category:Jewish women non-fiction writers]] [[Category:American magazine founders]] [[Category:American science communicators]] [[Category:ABC News people]] [[Category:CBS News people]] [[Category:Columbia College, Columbia University alumni]] [[Category:Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons alumni]] [[Category:People from San Bernardino County, California]] [[Category:People from Victorville, California]] [[Category:1969 births]] [[Category:Living people]]