Welcome to The Master's Academy
Alumni Spotlight
April's Alumni Spotlight is on Ashley Whidden! Read below to learn what she's been up to since graduating in 2011…
What’s the best thing going on in your life right now? Tell me more about that…
Professionally, I am thriving in my career within healthcare. In June of last year, I transitioned from my 8 years at ORMC Emergency Department and Level 1 Trauma Center to becoming a registered nurse and paramedic in the operating room with Advent Health South. I am always wanting to develop myself and broaden my horizons clinically. Ultimately, becoming more knowledgeable and valuable as a nurse. I am now certified as an OR Circulator specializing in Orthopedic Trauma, Plastic/Reconstructive surgery, Bariatric, and Otolaryngology. Personally, I am settled in Altamonte Springs, loving life and feeling incredibly blessed with my boyfriend, Bryan, and my chocolate lab, Xam.
What’s the biggest challenge you are facing right now? What are you going to do about it?
My biggest personal challenge is spending too much time comparing myself to others. We all know what a big role social media plays into our lives and I think we can become too captivated at times and feel pressured. Pressured to reach certain achievements such as, financial stability, marriage, children, academics, etc. However, I know God has a plan for my life. I do strive to remember this promise every day, know He is in control, and know it’s okay to be a work in progress.
Describe a time in your life where God showed up in a cool way.
Previously working in the emergency department, I encountered countless tragic events and spent hours with patients facing the most difficult days of their lives. While there were many tough days filled with loss and defeat, I also witnessed miracles. There was never a day I did not feel God’s presence and working through me to provide comfort and safety to my patients. God placed a desire on my heart to become a nurse and a passion for serving others in their worst moments.
Please share a fun or special memory from your time as a student at TMA.
How can I pick just one? I spent my whole life at TMA, K-12th grade. I am forever grateful to my father, George, and the sacrifices he made to keep me at TMA. (Shoutout to my dad, I love you.) My most fun times were in high school. I always wanted to be involved and kept myself busy. Football season came around, and I started working with the team as a water girl. I’d like to say I pioneered that position back in 2007. It’s been fun coming back as an alumni and seeing the amount of girls on the sidelines getting involved, volunteering their time to help the team, and having the love for sports and school spirit that I did. Following the football season, I played Girl’s Varsity Basketball and Varsity Girl’s Softball. Lessons learned on the court and the field are something I carry with me to this day.
What’s the most important thing you have learned over the course of your career so far?
As a nurse, I am my patient’s advocate. It is so important to listen to your patients and start their care selflessly and have a servant’s heart. This can be applied outside of the clinical setting; it is a valuable lesson to simply care and love others as Jesus loves us.
What has surprised you the most in your career/adult life?
I remember when I was younger, impatiently waiting to be older and wishing to be “all grown up.” Life is going to be so much easier, they said. It’ll be fun, they said…once I’m older and making my own money and out on my own, everything will make sense. At the end of the day, us adults are just winging it! I am now 32, knocking on 33’s door and I can confidently say, I do not have it all figured out, and I will humbly lean on God’s understanding and His grace, which is not always easy.