Ashley Hickson

Ashley is a Regional Community Impact Director with the American Heart Association (AHA). She is responsible for implementing evidence-based health programs in urban and rural settings that improve patient outcomes for those most at risk for chronic disease. Ashley collaborates with Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers, worksite clinics, and health systems to recognize providers who are effectively managing chronic disease within their patient population. She participates in coalitions that address the social determinants of health, facilitates community needs assessments, and oversees targeted food system and obesity programs that impact marginalized communities in the North Texas market. Through these coalitions and needs assessments, Ashley utilizes collective impact as the framework for guiding policy, system and environmental changes in her market. Additionally, she is tasked with the local execution of the AHA's signature Go Red for Latina Women, Vestido Rojo. The bi-lingual annual event offers educational breakout sessions, free health screenings, and community resources through the madrina ambassadors. 

The American Heart Association's Southwest Affiliate (SWA) works and collaborates with coalitions and workgroups focusing on numerous public health issues including cardiovascular disease, healthy food access, tobacco control, quality health care, and obesity prevention.