'Sad to see her go': Internet upset as 'GMA' physician Dr Jennifer Ashton leaves ABC News after 13 years
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Dr Jennifer Ashton has announced her departure from 'Good Morning America' after 13 years with ABC News.
The physician and journalist announced on Thursday, April 18, that she would be leaving the morning talk show, where she served as the chief health and medical correspondent and co-hosted 'GMA3: What You Need to Know'.
"It has been an honor to be at ABC and help cover the biggest health issues in the country and world over the past 13 years," she said in a statement shared on Instagram. "My coworkers have become more than friends; they've become family and have seen me through the biggest professional moments of my life. I feel fortunate to have worked with the best in the business."
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Dr Jennifer Ashton is a double board-certified physician
Ashton is a double board-certified physician in obstetrics, gynecology, and obesity medicine, and has been with the network since 2012. She took on the role of GMA3 co-host in March 2020, attempting to keep viewers informed about the Covid-19 pandemic.
"As one of the preeminent medical journalists of our time - or as we call her here at ABC - 'America's favorite doctor,' Dr. Ashton has immeasurably contributed to ABC News as America’s #1 news network," Debra O’Connell, President of News Group and Networks for Disney Entertainment, said in a press release, per People.
"She will always have a home at ABC, and we wish her only the best as she continues her unwavering advocacy of women’s health," O’Connell continued.
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Dr Jennifer Ashton has remained a correspondent on GMA3 since 2020
Since 2020, Ashton has remained a correspondent on GMA3, and last year she was a part of the relaunch alongside co-hosts Eva Pilgrim and DeMarco Morgan after former hosts Amy Robach and TJ Holmes exited.
She has become a major part of the network, appearing also on 'World News Tonight with David Muir', 'Nightline', 'ABC News Live', and has even made appearances on 'The View'.
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What did the ABC News president say of Dr Jennifer Ashton?
"Dr. Ashton’s straight-forward, fact-based reporting has guided our audience – and the country – through some of the most significant health crises of the past decade, notably the COVID-19 pandemic, and she's done so with poise, unfettered access to key health leaders and experts, and outstanding reporting that’s provided a roadmap to wellness for millions of our viewers," ABC News president Kim Godwin added in a statement.
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Dr Jennifer Ashton has launched her women's wellness company
The physician's departure comes amid the launch of her women's wellness company Ajenda, which intends to debut TV programming, newsletters, meal plans, and more.
"I've been hearing from women across the country about the focus on weight loss and menopause dominating our society's health conversation and I wanted to have an impact in a laser-focused way," Ashton said of the company.
"Women's health and wellness is at a pivotal point in this country. Ajenda meets the moment, elevates the conversation and, with my strengths as a doctor and communicator, supports women," she added.
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Ajenda was launched last month with a free newsletter covering perimenopause, menopause health, and weight management. Ashton told the Hollywood Reporter that she hopes the company expands into much more.
"This has always been my medical calling, but I really feel like I was in a position to leverage my communication ability and the platform that I have in these two areas," she told the outlet.
"So who knows what it’ll evolve into, but I know that I like communicating about these topics. And so any way that I can do that I am interested in and everything’s on the table. It might be a podcast, it might be television, docuseries, anything," she added.
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Internet reacts to Dr Jennifer Ashton's departure from 'Good Morning America'
Netizens wished the best for Ashton's future after she made the sad announcement.
One Instagram user wrote, "Noooo!!!!! She is a fave of mine on GMA! Dr. Jen is phenomenal. Best wishes!" while another person commented, "Congratulations! I will miss you. I took your advice during Covid and got my yearly mammogram, and it saved my life. After surgery and radiation I have been cancer free for almost 3 years."
"Thank you Dr. Jen for keeping us informed with our health news since the pandemic and longer!! I wish you nothing but the best of luck and well wishes to you in your career in the future!!" added an individual.
"I am so sad to see her go! I love Dr. Jen. Always so informative," said another social media user.
'Nooooo!!! She’s a role model for me as a mid-career physician myself with aspirations of being on TV one day!" read another comment.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
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