Member Spotlight: Ashley Gresh

Ashley Gresh is both a certified nurse-midwife and a public health nurse, whose research focuses on addressing inequities in maternal and child health outcomes. Her current work examines the effects of perinatal group-based care on maternal and child health in the postpartum period, and examines ways for adapting, implementing, and sustaining group care in Baltimore and globally. Dr. Gresh is committed to co-creating solutions to issues in health care with the communities she serves by using a human-centered design approach; one that shifts power dynamics and centers the rights and well-being of childbearing people, their families, and communities. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing.

Questions:

1. What inspired you to focus on group care research?

I was drawn to group care because of its unique ability to build community, foster trust, and shift power back to families. In both clinical practice and research, I’ve seen how traditional care models often leave birthing people feeling isolated and underserved—especially during the postpartum period. Group care offers a powerful alternative: a space for connection, continuity, collective learning—and a chance to foster joy in care.

2. What areas of research in group care are you most excited about?

I’m most excited about expanding group care models beyond pregnancy to include integrated postpartum and pediatric health care—especially dyadic approaches that support both parent and child. I’m also energized by the growth of group care globally and am committed to advancing models that are equitable, scalable, and sustainable across diverse settings.

3. How do you envision that the GROWBABY Network will support your work?

The GROWBABY Network offers an invaluable space for collaboration, shared learning, and collective action. I see it as a catalyst for aligning efforts across research, practice, and policy—and a powerful force for amplifying group care. It has already fostered collaborations I’m grateful for, and I look forward to continuing this work together across organizations and institutions, as well as any new partnerships the network may help spark.

4. What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of your research? (Or: what keeps you grounded in your work and practice?)

I love long-distance running, being outside, and finding any excuse to be near water. Running keeps me grounded—it’s a routine practice in endurance and reflection that often parallels my work. Travel and music are also sources of joy and renewal.

5. Where do you see the field headed, and what keeps you motivated to continue working towards your goals?

I believe we’re moving toward a more holistic, interdisciplinary, and justice-oriented approach to care—one that centers relationships and recognizes the postpartum period as a vital time for investment. What keeps me motivated is the belief that we can—and must—design systems that truly work for families, especially those most impacted by inequities.