Since joining Ascension in 2021, Dr. Garrett-Ray has taken responsibility for the health system’s strategy to advance health equity at the intersection of clinical services and community partnerships. She also works closely with the Ascension Foundation team to help guide the organization’s community investments and ensure funding provides value at every stage. The throughline of her work is an earned trust with community stakeholders, built by actively listening, creating customized programs and continuously evaluating performance measures. An example of her work is the health system’s partnership with Marian Middle School in St. Louis, where Ascension provides resources like medications and scholarships to students from lower-income backgrounds. Prior to her work at Ascension, she acted as president of Baltimore-based Transform Health MD.
