At age 19, Dr. Ashley Ciosek became very ill, which became more challenging to navigate than she imagined. She learned that health was a gift, not a guarantee. That experience and others taught her the value of understanding the entire patient, drawing her toward a career as a physician.

Ashley Ciosek, M.D.

What the Smith Award means: I am truly humbled to have received the Smith Award, and I’m incredibly excited to continue my training in a field as dynamic as internal medicine.

Mentor comment: Ashley clearly distinguished herself in the Internal Medicine clerkship and during her sub-internship as a professional, hardworking student with advanced clinical and communication skills capable of forging authentic patient connections. Initially drawn to the sciences as a biochemistry major, she wanted a career where she could make a difference every day. – Stephanie Brinker, M.D., Associate Professor of Internal Medicine 

What the Goldings Award means: I have had a wonderful experience working with numerous faculty and residents within the Division of Rheumatic Diseases over the last four years. Our hospitals see an incredible array of advanced and new-onset rheumatic diseases, and the faculty strongly prioritize case-by-case teaching and student-led research initiatives – both of which have been gratifying experiences.

Mentor comment: Ashley has shown enthusiasm, determination, and hard work as a researcher, clinical learner, and educator. She worked with one of our Rheumatology fellows and several faculty members on a project to understand the patient factors that predict successful transition from pediatric to adult rheumatology care. She is a first author on one paper and co-author on another from this work. – David Karp, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Division of Rheumatic Diseases and Professor of Internal Medicine 

Background and family: I grew up in Austin, Texas, and was fortunate to be raised by two supportive, caring, and flexible parents. I played volleyball from fourth through 12^th grade and loved the team atmosphere and action-packed weekends that came along with the sport. I switched school zoning districts at elementary, middle, and high school, witnessing how ZIP codes affect education. I am fortunate and proud to say that this year marks my 21^st year of public school!

What led to your career path: At age 19, I became very ill and was introduced to “life as a patient,” which was more challenging to navigate than I had ever imagined. Simultaneously, my grandparents struggled with end-of-life care – balancing medical interventions with the power and grace of “letting go.” These experiences taught me the value of having a physician who cares for the entire patient and drew me toward this challenging, yet incredibly meaningful and rewarding career.

College: I attended UT Austin where I majored in biochemistry. While at UT, I worked as a pharmacy technician, played on several sand volleyball teams, coached an elementary school running team, and volunteered through a local hospice agency. I was also privileged to work throughout college alongside members of Dr. Shelley Payne’s lab to elucidate the mechanisms by which cholera induces toxicity in the human gut – a project that taught me the value of basic science and the tenacity required to elucidate scientific and medical knowledge.

UTSW activities: During the second year of medical school, our team aimed to uncover the barriers to continuity of care among patients with childhood-onset lupus. Our work specifically focused on health literacy, coping mechanisms, and patient activation among a cohort of uninsured and publicly insured patients, many of whom faced severe disease. I have also enjoyed getting involved in various school activities such as United to Serve, mentoring incoming medical students, and co-teaching a Resilience in Medicine elective during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Surprising fact: I enjoy amusement and water parks now more than ever!

Future plans: I plan to remain in academic medicine so that I may continue to work with patients from varied backgrounds while also benefiting from a learning environment. I am open to many career paths, including (in no particular order) rheumatology, gastroenterology, hospitalist medicine, and cardiology. First up though is a residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

About the awards: The Smith Award is given annually to one or more graduating students who excel academically during clinical rotations and exhibit an interest in and compassion for patients. The Goldings Award, presented to the most outstanding medical student in rheumatology, is named for Dr. Eliot A. Goldings, a former Division of Rheumatic Diseases faculty member who died in 1988.