CBS News has named Jennifer Ashton, M.D., a CBS News Medical Correspondent. Dr. Ashton, who will maintain her private practice in Englewood, NJ, will report primarily for The Early Show but will also contribute to other broadcasts and platforms. Dr. Ashton was a medical contributor for Fox News for the past three years.

In a note to staff, CBS News president Sean McManus writes, "Dr. Ashton's proven ability to clearly communicate sometimes complicated health and medical news will be an asset to CBS News and The Early Show."

The memo after the jump...

----- Original Message -----
From: McManus, Sean
Sent: Tue Mar 31 09:49:02 2009
Subject: Message from Sean McManus

I am pleased to announce that Jennifer Ashton, M.D., has been named a CBS News Medical Correspondent, effective immediately. Dr. Ashton will report on a broad range of medical topics for THE EARLY SHOW and will contribute to the division's other broadcasts and platforms, while continuing her private medical practice in Englewood, N.J. Dr. Ashton's proven ability to clearly communicate sometimes complicated health and medical news will be an asset to CBS News and THE EARLY SHOW.

Dr. Ashton, a board-certified physician in Obstetrics and Gynecology, is on the attending staff of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in Englewood, N.J., an affiliate of Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Most recently, Dr. Ashton served as a medical contributor for Fox News (2006-09).

Dr. Ashton is a member of several professional organizations and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She has done clinical research and presented at national clinical meetings in the fields of General Surgery, Critical Care and Gynecologic Oncology. Dr. Ashton serves on the Board of Trustees of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for Humanism in Medicine, is active with many charities and has been recognized for her philanthropic efforts by numerous foundations.

Dr. Ashton was born in Victorville, Calif. She was graduated from Columbia College, Columbia University, in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in Art History and from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 2000 with an M.D, the same year she was awarded the prestigious Bartlestone Award in Pharmacology. She completed her residency in women’s health and gynecologic surgery at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in NYC, an affiliate of Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Ashton served as Administrative Chief Resident and was awarded Chief Resident of the Year upon completing her residency. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Dr. Robert Ashton, a thoracic surgeon, and their two children.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Ashton to CBS News.