Story #101: Aja Jovanovski Bean, SUP Alum and Pediatrician

Dr. Ashley Jovanovski Bean, or “Aja”, is a dedicated pediatrician based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, affiliated with multiple renowned hospitals, including University of Michigan Health-Ann Arbor and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. She has been practicing with a specialization in pediatrics, where she provides comprehensive care to children, infants, and adolescents. Aja's medical training began at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and she has built a career focused on supporting the health and well-being of children and their families.

Beyond her medical career, Aja’s time at PBHA significantly shaped her personal and professional life, particularly in her work with BRYE and CHAD. She credits PBHA with broadening her awareness of social injustices and instilling in her the importance of action. In PBHA’s 2023 Alumni Survey, Aja shared:

"My PBHA experience shaped my character, values, career, the friends and community I seek out, the causes I support, and the values I hope to instill in my child. As a healthcare provider, I find it especially helpful to have the skills to remember to take a step back and try to understand where my patients are coming from. Not making assumptions about them, understanding and empathizing with the challenges they are facing, and being aware that my role is not a paternalistic one but just one part of a partnership with the patient and their family. This has always been important, but even more so since the pandemic and so much distrust around medical professionals." - Aja Jovanovski Bean

For Aja, PBHA was not just a service opportunity but a transformative part of her education, where she learned to approach the world with empathy and a desire for change.

"The people I met at PBHA and the communities in which I worked all fundamentally changed my entire outlook and understanding of the world." - Aja Jovanovski Bean

PBHA is so thankful for Aja’s inspiring words and is so proud of Aja’s continued commitment to youth and social justice advocacy.

Photo from Aja’s PBHA days!