40 Under 40 honors Ashley Valentine, Veterans Health Administration

Ashley Valentine, 35, Nurse Manager, Veterans Health Administration

Ashley Valentine is always looking for new ways to care for people. She has explored telehealth and is now providing the virtual service to offer care around the country through the Veterans Health Administration. She has also researched virtual nursing and is beginning to see how artificial intelligence may help the health care field.

Valentine strives to be the best version of herself − for her career and for her family − to embody the idea of being a force for positive change.

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In 50-100 words, introduce yourself to our readers

I’m a registered nurse with 12 years of experience serving patients and Veterans in East Tennessee. Growing up in this region, I developed a deep passion for supporting our rural communities and reducing health disparities. This led me to explore telehealth. Currently, I manage a team of registered nurses at the Veterans Health Administration, providing telehealth care nationwide.

On a personal note, I’m married to my wonderful husband, Alex, and we have two children, Alaina, 11, and Vincent, 8. Outside of work, I enjoy being a spectator at sporting events and relaxing with a good book by the pool.

When you reflect on your career so far, which achievement stands out most?

Several moments with patients stand out as significant achievements in my career. However, a highlight in terms of leadership was my selection as a steering committee member for the American Nurses Association’s virtual nursing professional issues panel. This panel focused on defining virtual nursing, looking at its impact on staffing, discussing ethical implications and considering how it affects nurses. Having the opportunity to voice my insights and conduct research on this topic has been transformative for my career. It is truly rewarding to make changes alongside a national organization.

What is the greatest professional obstacle you’ve had to overcome and how did you overcome it?

I love process improvement and change management! I’ve learned that with any change comes resistance. One of the greatest professional challenges I’ve encountered has been getting multiple stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, medical facilities and states to agree on a standardized nursing protocol. I truly believe that knowledge is power. By sharing insights about guidelines, policies and state licensure requirements, I was able to down the barriers to adopting the protocol and making those changes. Using evidence to address concerns and ease anxieties is a vital tool for any leader.

What will you focus on in 2026?

Learning more about the latest technologies and processes in healthcare. In August, I had the chance to attend the VA Hackathon with MIT and Microsoft. It showed me how much potential artificial intelligence has for both federal and civilian healthcare. Of course, there are some important things to consider, like ethical issues, professional liability and how these programs are applied in practice, which I still need to research further. I believe that if we can harness AI and technology, it could help lighten the load for clinicians, letting them spend more time on patient care.

What is your biggest professional dream?

This is a tough question because I am a dreamer! I tell my kids often that you have to be the change you want to see, and that starts with dreaming and envisioning that change. At the end of the day, my biggest professional dream is to be part of an initiative or movement that makes a positive, sustainable impact on a larger community. East Tennessee has a lot of rural areas that face challenges related to social determinants of health. As I mentioned earlier, knowledge is power, and I’d love to help boost health literacy and empower people to be their own advocates in their healthcare.

What mistake did you learn the most from?

One mistake I often made when I was younger was holding myself back from opportunities. I think a lot of people can relate to this. I would create these self-imposed roadblocks that made me hold back on grabbing opportunities, thinking they’d only come when I had everything perfectly lined up. But I’ve found that’s not true at all! The best opportunities often come when you’re willing to be vulnerable, show up with a strong work ethic and take a chance. As I like to remind myself, quoting my favorite book, “Throne of Glass,” “You do not yield.” It’s all about believing I can tackle hard things!

What motivates you?

My biggest motivation comes from my family. I’m lucky to have a supportive husband, children and extended family who cheer me on. Everything I do is for them, especially my children. I want to be the best version of myself so they can see that it’s possible for them to be their best, too. I’m also pretty competitive, so once I set a goal, I go all in to achieve it!

What is the most overrated piece of business advice you’ve heard?

“You have to pay your dues.” While it’s important to invest in your work, I think this advice often overlooks the real value of skills and talent. Just look at the nursing shortage in America—some of the most qualified nurses today might be labeled as “novice” by traditional standards. On the surface, you might think that anyone who has been in a job for a long time would be the most successful or qualified. For me, success is about having a strong work ethic, being tenacious, staying humble and effectively using soft skills.

What trait do you most want in a co-worker?

I really enjoy working with people who focus on “solutions” instead of just “problems.” It’s refreshing to collaborate with those who want to tackle the root issues rather than just apply quick fixes. And I definitely give extra points to anyone who can share a good dad joke or make me laugh!

What about Knoxville would you like to improve?

I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has served our country, and I believe they should have access to as many healthcare options as possible. Knoxville is a large community, and the closest VA hospitals are at least a two-hour drive away. I’ve seen significant growth in the services the VA offers to veterans in our area and nearby communities, including better access to specialty care providers through telehealth options. However, I’m really passionate about advocating for change to bring even MORE VA resources to veterans living in Knoxville.

What don’t people know about you?

I absolutely love my profession and often talk about it, so people might be surprised to learn it wasn’t my first choice. When I started college, becoming a nurse wasn’t even on my radar! Luckily, one of my best friends and college roommates was in the nursing program, and I decided to give it a shot. It turned out to be the most rewarding, spontaneous career choice I could have made!

Thank you to: Alex (husband); Alaina and Vincent (children); Evon and Ralph (parents); Nikki and Neil (sister and brother-in-law); my entire family; friends; colleagues; Melanie (manager and mentor), who nominated me for this award
Years worked at current company: 11
Degrees and certifications: Bachelor of Science in nursing, Carson Newman University; Master of Science in nursing, Jacksonville University; doctorate in healthcare administration from Virginia University of Lynchburg. Certificates include Ambulatory Care Nursing, Certified Nurse Manager and Leader and Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
Community involvement: American Nurses Association steering committee member on the virtual nursing professional issues panel for four years; content expert panel member for the Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification in the American Nurses Credentialing Center for two years; mentor at TN Achieves for two years

– Keenan Thomas

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