Dr. Jen Ashton is out! The GMA3 co-host taped her closing episode of Good Morning America on June 27, 2024, and acquired an emotional sendoff from her colleagues. So, why did Dr. Jen Ashton depart GMA3 after 13 years with the community? Right here’s every little thing to learn about her departure.
Dr. Ashton first joined ABC Information in 2012 because the community’s chief medical correspondent. In March 2020, she started co-hosting GMA3: What You Want To Know to assist clarify the rising COVID-19 pandemic to viewers. This system was later rebranded into simply GMA3. Previous to launching her tv profession, the board-certified OB/GYN and Weight problems Medication Specialist labored as a physician at a number of completely different New York and New Jersey hospitals. She made her tv debut in 2006 as Fox Information’ first feminine medical contributor. She went on to function a medical correspondent for CBS and an on-air character for the community’s discuss present The Medical doctors, which ran from 2008 t0 2022.
Along with her on-air work, Ashton can also be an completed writer. She’s revealed almost 10 books, together with The Physique Scoop for Ladies, Your Physique Stunning, Eat This, Not That! When You’re Anticipating, Life After Suicide and The Self Care Resolution. She additionally launched her personal well being and wellness journal, Higher, by means of a360media.
Now, the multi-hyphenate is shifting on from ABC and GMA3 to start out a brand new venture. Preserve studying to see why Dr. Jen Ashton left the present.
Why did Dr. Jen Ashton depart GMA3?
Dr. Jen Ashton introduced her departure from ABC Information and GMA3 on April 18, 2024. She completed out her contract and made her closing look on the present on June 27. The episode included a ten minute-long farewell video that includes supportive messages from her colleagues, pals, and youngsters, in addition to highlights from Ashton’s time at ABC. The video additionally featured a phase she filmed for the present about her late ex-husband, Rob, who died by suicide in 2017.
Robin Roberts and Michael Strahan weren’t within the studio for Ashton’s final day, however they pre-recording candy messages for her forward of time. “Thanks for being a buddy and an exquisite teammate and colleague,” Roberts stated in her message. “She breaks it down step-by-step in a means that makes you perceive it and an vitality that makes you need to pay attention,” Strahan added.
By the point the video stopped enjoying, Ashton was in tears. “What actually stands out as I take a look at these 13-plus years is these moments in our nation’s historical past the place collectively we helped folks at residence with perception and perspective and evaluation that I feel we do higher than anybody in community information, right here at ABC,” she stated. “Among the largest moments in our nation’s historical past in well being, we lined. That was an unimaginable honor and privilege.”
Her closing phrases had been addressed to viewers at residence. “You’re the explanation that I do what I do and that I get up within the morning,” she stated. “I’m all the time on name for GMA and ABC Information, and also you guys know the place to seek out me.”
The GMA3 co-host left the community to give attention to her ladies’s wellness firm, Ajenda. The corporate — which launched with a publication in March — goals to deal with the challenges of menopause and weight administration. Ashton serves because the CEO and founder.
“I form of subscribe to the truth that when the universe sends you a message, you must take heed to it,” Ashton advised The Hollywood Reporter about her choice to depart ABC. “I’ve been watching and collaborating within the steadily constructing upswell of curiosity of these two areas in our nation and in our society and in our tradition and media and in drugs and in science.”
She added: “Generally an vital message wants the appropriate messenger, and I really feel like there isn’t any extra vital time on this nation for ladies’s well being, and for weight administration.”
Ashton famous that her choice was met with help from each her co-anchors and ABC executives. “They each stated to me, ‘Is there something we will do to alter your thoughts?’” she stated of ABC Information president Kim Godwin and Debra OConnell, who runs ABC’s information and networks division. Ashton continued: “After I stated there actually isn’t, as a result of I actually really feel strongly about doing this, they principally stated you realize, ‘we’re going to be behind you.’ And I feel that’s actually uncommon on this enterprise on this day.”
OConnell stated in an announcement: “As one of many preeminent medical journalists of our time — or as we name her right here at ABC, ‘America’s favourite physician’ — Dr. Ashton has immeasurably contributed to ABC Information as America’s #1 information community. She’s going to all the time have a house at ABC, and we want her solely the very best as she continues her unwavering advocacy of ladies’s well being.”
Goodwin added, “Dr. Ashton’s straight-forward, fact-based reporting has guided our viewers — and the nation — by means of a number of the most vital well being crises of the previous decade, notably the COVID-19 pandemic, and she or he’s completed so with poise, unfettered entry to key well being leaders and consultants, and excellent reporting that’s offered a street map to wellness for hundreds of thousands of our viewers.”
GMA3 will proceed to be hosted by DeMarco Morgan and Eva Pilgrim. Ashton’s substitute has not but been introduced. Information of her departure got here one yr after T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach had been fired from this system following experiences that the co-anchors had an extra-marital affair. Morgan and Pilgrim had been named their everlasting replacements in Might 2023.
For extra on Good Morning America, try this gallery on the GMA anchor’s real-life companions.