Lookin’ at U – Ashley Merritt

Each Thursday, we randomly feature a medical center employee.

This week, we learn more about Ashley Merritt, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) coordinator within the oral biology department at the College of Dentistry.

Ashley Merritt

• Name: Ashley Merritt
  
• Hometown: Cincinnati
  
• No. of years at UNMC: Less than a year

Tell us a bit about what you do here at UNMC.

I am the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) coordinator within the Oral Biology department at the College of Dentistry. I focus on a variety of tasks that assist with increasing access to dental care in rural and underserved communities.

Being a trusted resource is one of UNMC’s brand values. Tell us of a time you witnessed a person or group act as a trusted resource at UNMC.

Throughout working for a grant, I have been able to have some interaction with the dental preceptors across Nebraska who allow the dental students to come to their offices for rotations. The extramural rotation program is an established program and has been around for years, and requires the reliability and consistence from the preceptors across the state.

What is your favorite winter activity?

Winter is my favorite season and I always look forward to the cold weather. I love snow and being able to go outside sledding. I moved to Lincoln from Charlotte, N.C., so I haven’t seen snow in two years and am anxiously awaiting the first big snowfall in Nebraska!

List three things people may not know about you.

• I really enjoy any show, movie, or story about crime scene investigations and the psychology behind it.
  
• I love to travel and have been very fortunate to have the ability to go to 31 of the contiguous states, 11 islands and four countries.
  
• I grew up wanting to be (and still want to be) a country singer.