Ashley Poole, PsyD '20, LPC, is an assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). She earned her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from PCOM and joined the faculty in 2021. Passionate about experiential learning and community engagement, Dr. Poole has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between students and the communities they serve. Through innovative initiatives, mentoring programs, and partnerships, Dr. Poole continues to make a meaningful impact on students and the broader Philadelphia community.
Dr. Poole's commitment to mental health outreach was sparked by her early experiences working in Philadelphia. “I saw more trauma in my first year here than in my entire career in North Carolina,” she recalled. This realization inspired her creation of Check Up from the Neck Up, a community initiative designed to foster student engagement and raise awareness about mental health. Originally launched as a student externship project at a South Philadelphia boxing event, the initiative has since grown into an annual event.
“My goal was to create a bridge between students in training and the community they will serve,” Dr. Poole explained. The goal of the initiative is to bring future healthcare professionals together and allow them to develop public speaking skills, foster interprofessional collaboration, and connect with the community in a meaningful way.
Believing in the power of hands-on education, Dr. Poole integrated experiential learning opportunities into the PsyD program. Collaborating with Stephanie H. Felgoise, PhD, ABPP, she helped establish a partnership with Park Tower Assisted Living, providing students with invaluable community-based learning experiences.
The initiative both enhances student training and fosters informal interactions with the community. Through reflection exercises, students reinforce their learning and develop a deeper understanding of the populations they will serve.
Dr. Poole’s passion for mentorship led her to establish a mentoring circle within PCOM Hearts, a student-run clinic that provides quality preventive and primary care to under-insured Philadelphians. Having previously contributed to PCOM Hearts as a speaker, she sought to expand the group’s focus to include psychology students. “When I returned as a faculty member, my goal was to support the addition of psych students to Hearts,” she said.
Her efforts have reinforced the importance of an integrated healthcare approach, emphasizing collaboration between mental health professionals and medical practitioners. Through workshops and discussions, she has seen firsthand how this mentorship positively impacts students, reinforcing the importance of holistic care.
Poole also plays a pivotal role in Sisters in Medicine (SIM), a program that aims to facilitate the success of Black women in medical and graduate school. Inspired by her interactions with students through PCOM Hearts, she collaborated with leadership to establish the Philadelphia chapter of SIM.
“Many of our students are first-generation medical and graduate students. Having a supportive network of peers who understand the challenges they face can be incredibly uplifting,” she shared. Poole serves as a mentor, organizes community events, and provides a listening ear for students navigating the challenges of higher education.
Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Poole finds it difficult to choose just one rewarding aspect of her work. However, witnessing the growth and success of her students stands out. “Seeing students at graduation is an incredible moment,” she said. “I had the pleasure of hooding my first group of graduates in 2024, which was especially meaningful since my own graduation was virtual due to COVID.”
Through her dedication to mentorship, community engagement, and experiential learning, Dr. Poole continues to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals, ensuring they are equipped with both the knowledge and the compassion to serve their communities effectively.
From February 1 to February 28, PCOM joins others around the country in observing Black History Month. This important celebration honors the histories, cultures and contributions of those who identify as Black or African American. At PCOM, we recognize our faculty, students and staff who identify as such and will highlight their stories throughout the month.
Established in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
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