Dr. Ashley Lee always knew she wanted to work in medicine.

Even in high school, the strong woman with the big dreams shadowed a variety of physicians working in everything from dentistry to veterinary studies. But after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Biology at Oklahoma State University, Dr. Lee made the move to Chicago. And, her life changed forevermore.

“I found a home in podiatry and never looked back,” says Dr. Lee, who completed her four years of medical training at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science followed by a 3-year foot and ankle surgical residency at Jesse Brown VA and Weiss Memorial Hospital. “In this field, I get just as much satisfaction treating patients conservatively as I do being able to help them surgically. It was the perfect fit for me.”

After spending 10 years in private practice in Arlington Heights and serving as the Chief of Podiatric Surgery at Northwest Community Hospital, Dr. Lee joined the accomplished staff at Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists in Hinsdale and has already felt the warmth of the area’s close-knit community.

“I haven’t ever lived close enough to see my patients out and about in the community, but now I can,” exclaims Dr. Lee, who has resided in Western Springs for the past three years. “There has always been such a small town feel here, and because of that, I really get to know my patients, in and out of my office.”

Indeed, throughout her career, Dr. Lee’s gracious nature paired with an insurmountable amount of knowledge within the field she excels in has served as quite the blessing to her growing patient base.

“I spend a lot of time explaining things to my patients the way I would want things explained to me,” says Dr. Lee, who is double board-certified with the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons in foot surgery as well as ankle and foot reconstruction surgery. “I get to know them and their goals and aspirations. We then work together to customize each treatment plan to everyone’s unique situation.”

And perhaps, never have we collectively found ourselves in a more unique situation as we are now, as the remnants of the pandemic continue to play a role in all of our lives, including Dr. Lee’s patients.

“I have seen adults working out more and working out outside, which sometimes brings with it new injuries,” says Dr. Lee. “I have also seen others working out indoors, barefooted on wood floors, which can cause a multitude of problems. Luckily, the people that I have been treating here really want to take care of themselves. They are very motivated, which makes my job that much more rewarding.”

But there are far more reasons why Dr. Lee is loving working and living close to Hinsdale.

Actually, two specific reasons.

“Being five minutes from my 5-year-old and 7-year-old boys was an opportunity I couldn’t give up,” concludes Dr. Lee. “The world is changing. Why not make a change for myself?”

Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists is located at 12 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 410 in Hinsdale. For more information, please call 847.639.5800 or visit illinoisfoot.com.