William Ashley Jr.

Dr. William Ashley Jr., a Baltimore-based neurosurgeon, has emerged as a powerful advocate for reducing cardiovascular health disparities affecting racial minority communities. As Director of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery at Sinai Hospital, Ashley combines clinical excellence with tireless advocacy work to address the systemic inequities that lead to worse health outcomes for Black Americans.

Ashley’s commitment to health equity extends through multiple leadership roles. He serves as past president of the American Society of Black Neurosurgeons and recently became president-elect of the American Heart Association’s Eastern States Board of Directors—the first neurosurgeon to hold this regional position. Through the AHA, he promotes initiatives that celebrate and uplift diverse communities across the eastern seaboard.

His research directly confronts health disparities through the M-BRACE trial, which he co-leads. This groundbreaking study examines potential biological differences in blood clotting between Black and White patients experiencing cardiovascular events including heart attacks and strokes. The research aims to uncover whether variations in thrombogenicity contribute to the disproportionate cardiovascular mortality rates seen in Black communities.

Beyond research, Ashley has championed diversity in neurosurgery itself. He helped establish diversity, equity, and inclusion subcommittees in neurosurgical publishing and serves on Maryland’s medical society IDEA task force. He has authored over 100 scholarly works, many focused on racial disparities in neurosurgical care and increasing Black representation in the field.

Ashley’s work recognizes that achieving health equity requires both understanding biological factors and dismantling systemic barriers that prevent minority communities from accessing optimal care.

Learn More:
American Heart Association announcement: https://newsroom.heart.org/local-news/baltimore-neurosurgeon-named-president-elect-of-american-heart-association-eastern-states-board-of-directors

American Society of Black Neurosurgeons profile: https://amsobns.org/william-w-ashley-jr-md-phd-mba

Dr. Ashley’s research profile:
https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/William-W-Ashley-2190309626