Origin Story

"The entire floor of the operating room was covered in blood. It's a case I will remember for the rest of my life."

For almost 20 years, Dr. Jennifer Ashton's job was to distill complex medical topics into 20 to 180 seconds of television. Dear Dr. Jen takes the time limit off. In this first episode, Jen shares the messenger behind the message: how an exhausted young OB-GYN with two small kids and no interest in TV ended up spending 18 years as a network medical correspondent, why that made her a better doctor, and the stories that made the biggest impact.

Chapters

(00:00) Welcome to Dear Dr. Jen

(02:07) How television happened

(08:59) The stories that made an impact

(11:45) Eight days in Haiti

(14:43) COVID from the dining room

(17:30) Bob Iger's cruise ship question

(20:33) Losing Rob

(25:50) Why OB-GYN

(27:42) Going back to school for nutrition

(30:14) Classmates with my dad

(31:03) A delivery in the lobby

(33:42) The case I'll never forget

(41:32) What changed after TV

This one's personal. And it's only the beginning. Follow the show so you don't miss an episode, and send me your questions, because this show is built on them.

This episode includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, U.S.).

For educational and informational purposes only, not medical advice. Please consult with your own physician. No physician-patient relationship is created.

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