Ashley N. French was awarded the Molly Haas Valentine Award, given to a graduate student who is completing a master’s degree with distinction and whose dedication to his or her studies has required extraordinary determination to overcome obstacles in the pursuit of excellence. 

“Ashley entered the Physician Assistant program in May of 2008. On orientation day (her first day), her vibrant, charismatic father was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease),” noted Assistant Professor Mark Wade. “Ashley would journey to Hershey, Pa., and back each and every weekend to tend her ailing father. This is in spite of the same difficult courseload that her colleagues had. Yet, Ashley always had a ready smile and a giving heart—giving of herself to assist her colleagues in any way they required. She maintained a 3.3 GPA during this difficult didactic year, which sadly concluded with the death of her beloved father. During her clinical year, Ashley consistently receives exceptional reviews from her clinical preceptors. She absolutely is one of our best and we are proud and privileged to have her in our program.” (Photos)