When Ashley Leonard thinks back to what first drew her toward healthcare, she doesn’t picture a classroom or a textbook – she remembers her grandmother.
“As her [Alzheimer’s] progressed, we had the support of so many dedicated health professionals whose compassion and kindness deeply inspired me,” Ashley recalled. “Witnessing the care they provided sparked my interest in pursuing a career in healthcare.”
That early spark quickly grew into a calling. In high school, Ashley enrolled in human services courses that offered hands-on learning and internships at local healthcare facilities – including shifts in the emergency department and with Calex Ambulance. Between her junior and senior years, she attended MedQuest, a week-long immersive program through Northern Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC), that solidified her passion.
“It further nurtured my passion for healthcare and confirmed my desire to pursue it as a career,” she said.
From Exploration to Impact
Today, Ashley serves as a Clinical Practice Manager at Northern Counties Health Care, where she helps coordinate care for patients across Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Her journey – from high-school intern to healthcare leader – shows how early exposure and mentorship can guide students toward meaningful careers in their own communities.
“The most rewarding part of my role is knowing that the work I do each day truly makes a difference in people’s lives,” Ashley shared. “Our team works hard every day, and it is incredibly fulfilling to see the positive impact we have on the health and well-being of individuals and the community as a whole.”
The Realities – and Rewards – of Rural Care
Working in rural Vermont means balancing heart and resourcefulness in equal measure.
“Many patients live in remote areas, making transportation and accessibility to care difficult – especially during the winter months,” Ashley explained. “Limited resources and smaller facilities can mean fewer specialists locally, requiring patients to travel long distances.”
Rural healthcare teams also face the ongoing challenge of workforce shortages. Smaller hospitals and clinics rely on strong teamwork and creative problem-solving to meet their communities’ needs. But even with those challenges, Ashley says there’s something about working in a close-knit community that makes it all worth it.
“Working in a rural community also provides the rewarding opportunity to build close relationships with patients and to deliver truly impactful, community-centered care,” she said.
That sense of connection – the continuity of care, the familiar faces, the shared investment in community health – is something Ashley wouldn’t trade. It’s what makes Vermont’s healthcare landscape unique: small teams making a big impact.
Advice for Future Healthcare Professionals
Ashley hopes her story will encourage more Vermont students to explore what’s possible in this field.
“Take advantage of opportunities in high school, such as enrolling in health or human services classes, and participate in immersive programs,” she advised. “They’ll provide valuable insight into the realities of working in healthcare and help confirm whether it is the right path for you.”
She believes that healthcare isn’t a single pathway – it’s a web of possibilities. Each plays a vital role in building stronger, healthier communities.
Caring for Vermonters, Strengthening Vermont.
Ashley Leonard’s story reminds us that healthcare is not just a profession – it’s a relationship with the community, built on compassion, curiosity, and care that reaches every corner of the state. During Vermont Health Careers Awareness Month, we celebrate Vermonters like Ashley who show how dedication and heart can shape healthier communities and inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals.