Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Ashanti Coleman.
Hi Dr. Coleman, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am Dr. Ashanti Coleman, a wife of 21 years to my high school sweetheart. We have been blessed with two children, a 16-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son. We have lived in Memphis a total of 3 times due to my husband working in transportation and relocating. I always had a passion for science and knew nursing was my calling. My healthcare career began as a unit secretary in Emergency Room and NICU. I was accepted into nursing school and began working as a nurse extern. I then graduated from the University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing. I started my nursing career in the Emergency Room at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, MI, then transitioned to Davita, working with chronic end-stage dialysis patients. During this time, I was also enrolled in a Walden University Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) program to obtain my Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree. While working towards my FNP, I began working at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, MI starting in the urgent care walk-in clinic, then becoming a float RN. I acquired experience in Pediatrics, Family Practice/ Internal Medicine, Pain, and Employee Health while working on my MSN-FNP degree. Upon finishing my MSN-FNP degree, we returned to Memphis, and I began my career as FNP in a Pediatric clinic. I have gained experience in an IV hydration/ weight loss clinic, retail clinics, occupational injury clinics, COVID mobile sites, and academia. I am currently a full-time Clinical Associate Professor, where I teach undergraduate nursing students. I love sharing my knowledge of nursing with others. It has been a joy to feed into future nurse leaders and pass the torch to the next generation of health care providers. Teaching has also enabled me to mentor students like many of my instructors did and still do for me.
In my spare time, when I’m not cheering my kids on in the track, baseball, or football, I am an avid yogi and love various types of yoga. I am also a certified yoga instructor and own a women’s apparel line called 929.
In 2018, I had my first stroke because of birth control pills. This situation changed my life forever. I did not allow the diagnosis to define me and worked hard to ensure I minimized my risk factors.
I focused on hot yoga and weight training to keep my risk down and help with rehab and manage my stress. Then again, in 2019, I had similar symptoms of my first stroke dismissed, misdiagnosed, and sent home.
My Primary Care provider Dr. Katosha Muse advocated for me to seek help at another healthcare facility. The misdiagnosis was a torn artery along with a 50% blockage and caused me to have emergency surgery. By the grace of God, I was able to return to being a wife, mom, nurse practitioner, educator, and yogi. I put all my energy into advocating for African American women and men with cardiovascular disease and those dismissed/misdiagnosed.
I have also partnered with the local Mid-South American Heart Association, volunteering, raising awareness, and funding. 2020 I worked the front lines of Covid mobile site administering Covid tests and vaccines. At this time, I also simultaneously completed my Doctor of Nursing and 200 YT yoga instructor certification.
I focused my research on stroke prevention in African American Women aged 20-40 with oral contraceptive use.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It had not been a smooth road. I’ve faced obstacles, including completing nursing school as a wife and mom. I tried to get into nursing school and was told there was a ten-year waiting list.
I was also told I would never get accepted into nursing school because I had a “C” on my transcript. I applied to the University of Memphis with a two-week-old and a toddler despite being told this. I received my acceptance letter signed by the person who told me I would never get admitted. Not only did I get admitted and finish the program, I then came back to teach.
Having a stroke x 2, working in a pandemic as a healthcare provider, and teaching in the pandemic are other obstacles I’ve had to overcome. I tend to use challenges as motivation to get through to my next challenge. The meaning of my name is determined, and I can say I have lived up to it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I currently teach full-time in academia. I also work part-time as a nurse practitioner at a retail health clinic. I love being able to teach the next generation of nurses as they will be my family’s caregivers and me. I strive to instill humility, integrity, confidence, competence, and advocacy into every student I encounter.
As a provider, I love the holistic aspect of nursing. I enjoy assessing, diagnosing, treating, evaluating, educating, advocating, and empowering my patients on their disease process, prevention, and wellness.
I’ve just gotten certified in a new form of yoga called BUTI, a mix of yoga, cardio dance, and HIIT. I love the diversity in yoga and how it parallels nursing. There are so many types of yoga, and it is not a one size fits all kind of workout. I love how it unites us and allows us to make it our own. Yoga is personal and customized to meet the individual where they are physically and mentally.
So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why?
My faith, health, family, and friends matter to me most. I’m most proud being blessed to be here for my family, nurse my patients, and guide my students. My ability to encourage and motivate others to obtain their personal and professional goals sets me apart.
I am forever grateful to God for allowing me the opportunity to not only still be here but thriving and excelling. I’m appreciative to have a testimony to share with others. Advocating and educating are two of my passions. God has brought me a long way, and I know he has much more ahead.
Contact Info:
- Email: The929apparel@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.929apparel.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ashanticoleman929?utm_medium=copy_link
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/929apparel/
Image Credits
Tanner Floyd
