Ashley Hughes is a native Rhode Islander and first-generation college graduate from the University of New Haven, where she completed degrees in Forensic Science, Biology- Pre-med, Chemistry and Law Enforcement Science. Her passion for forensic science and love of clinical medicine led her to the Physician Assistant (PA) profession. She graduated from the Northeastern University PA program and has been a practicing Physician Assistant since this time.

She has 13 years clinical experience in emergency medicine with all practice years being in Boston, Massachusetts. In her clinical role, Hughes is able to blend her forensic science background with medicine and has focused on providing compassionate, empathetic, and comprehensive care for victims of assault, while carefully collecting valuable physical evidence needed for prosecution.

In 2017, she joined the Johnson & Wales PA program as a faculty member, ultimately transitioning to Academic Coordinator and then Interim Program Director. In 2021, she took on the role of Program Director at Bryant University PA Program, where she continues to teach, mentor and work closely with her PA students.