Resident Profile: Ashton Todd, M.D.
Posted on May 24, 2021 by Nichelle Smith
Ashton Todd, M.D., is excited to see what the future holds as she wraps up her third and final year of residency training in pediatrics at USA Health.
“Being a general pediatrician has been a dream of mine since I was in the seventh grade,” Todd said. “I can remember telling my mom after a doctor’s appointment that I wanted to be just like my pediatrician, Dr. White. Looking back at that moment, it is so surreal that my dream is coming into fruition.”
Out of all the rotations during her residency training, Todd said she most looked forward to continuity clinic – prompting her interest in pursuing private practice. “I believe your passion should give you energy, and I can honestly say I get energized seeing children grow and reach their developmental milestones while helping parents navigate through illnesses.”
Todd said she also fell in love with private practice because it allows for continuity of patient care and building relationships with families. “I believe that forming bonds early builds trust, which aids in better patient care and outcomes.” she said.
Although her last year of residency training took place during a global health crisis, Todd said she wouldn’t have it any other way. “The COVID-19 pandemic opened my eyes to another facet of medicine, making me comfortable with the dynamic changes of medical guidelines and how to relay information to help calm the fears of families.”
A recipient of more than five awards during her residency training, Todd said she is most proud of two major accomplishments. “Because of my strong interest in diversity and inclusion, I had the amazing opportunity to be a founding member of the USA Pediatric Diversity Coalition for the pediatric residency program,” she said. “I also received the Charles Jay Hoff Award for Best Research Project for my work in decreasing inappropriate antibiotic usage and length of stay in patients admitted with sickle cell disease and fever. The project could potentially help decrease admission rates, reduce disruption to family life and education, as well as reduce hospital costs.”
Although her time at USA Health is coming to an end, Todd said she has enjoyed her journey – from medical school to residency training. “USA has not only helped me to become the first physician in my family, it has also allowed me to hone and refine my patient-care skills. The relationships I have made with the attendings, co-residents, faculty and staff have been invaluable. My experiences with USA Health have shaped me to be the physician I am today.”
Todd said this journey was not an easy one and she is proud to be a first-generation college graduate and the first in her family to become a physician. “Going forward I plan to mentor first generation college students interested in the medical field to help guide them and offer support along their own journey to medicine,” she said.
A native of Montgomery, Todd and her family, including her husband, Anthony, and daughter, Aedriel, have called Mobile, Ala., home for the past seven years. They have no plans to leave anytime soon.
“I am whole-heartedly committed to this community, so I have decided to join Mobile Pediatric Clinic to pursue my career in private practice,” she said.