INF 40 Under 40 Awardee: Ashley Frederick

Dr. Ashley Frederick, DNP, RN, CPHQ, CPPS, NE-BC, has dedicated her career to improving healthcare outcomes, patient safety, and nursing leadership across Illinois. Her journey from a high school CNA to a recognized nursing executive and educator is a testament to her relentless pursuit of excellence and her passion for meaningful impact.

Inspired by Family, Fueled by Purpose

Ashley’s path into nursing was sparked early on as she watched her mother care for her grandfather with compassion and skill. That experience left a lasting impression and ignited a lifelong calling. She began working as a Certified Nursing Assistant while still in high school, eventually earning her LPN and RN from Spoon River College. She continued her education with a BSN from Western Illinois University, and later, both an MSN in Nursing Management and Leadership and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing.

Building Expertise in Quality and Safety

Over her 16-year career, Dr. Frederick has accumulated a wealth of experience across several areas of healthcare. She served as a Quality Improvement Coordinator and then Supervisor at McDonough District Hospital, where she also briefly worked in health informatics. Ashley went on to become a Clinical Manager of Quality, Safety, and Health Policy at the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, where she led system-level quality improvement and patient safety efforts. Her leadership has played a vital role in driving healthcare initiatives across the state and influencing impactful policy change.

Elevating Nursing Through Education

In addition to her executive leadership, Ashley serves as a Nursing Instructor at Western Illinois University, her alma mater, where she now shapes and inspires the next generation of nurses. She is passionate about instilling values of compassion, critical thinking, and patient-centered care into her students, blending real-world experience with academic insight.

A Trailblazer with Credentials and Compassion

Ashley holds multiple national credentials including Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), Certified Professional in-Patient Safety (CPPS), and board certification as a Nurse Executive (NE-BC). These accomplishments reflect her deep commitment to professional development and the continuous improvement of healthcare systems. Her expertise has improved patient care, empowered healthcare teams, and reinforced the value of strong nursing leadership.

Leading with Faith, Family, and Resilience

Beyond her professional achievements, Ashley takes pride in being the first in her family to earn a doctoral degree. As a wife and mother, she hopes to model perseverance and passion for her children. Grounded in her faith, she sees her work in healthcare as both a vocation and a spiritual calling, to serve the sick with empathy and excellence.

The Illinois Nurses Foundation proudly celebrates Ashley Frederick as a 2025 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader for her dedication to empowering the next generation, innovative healing research, nursing education, and leadership.

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