Our leadership team
Jason has a 20-year history as an Entrepreneur and CEO. Prior to Ascend, he founded Well Street Urgent Care - a leading national provider that has partnered with many of the leading health systems and now a $1B+ company. A father of 6 kids, Jason is a passionate musician and traveler, but most of time outside of work, he is just 'Dad'! Jason earned his MBA from Columbia Business School.
A British transplant,
Tom joined Ascend as its President in August 2023. A healthcare strategy and
innovation leader, Tom built the Digital Health Office at Baylor Scott &
White where he also created the Enterprise Analytics team and Transformation
Team. Tom then led Digital Health & Transformation at Optum Health with a
focus in Texas. Tom earned his MBA from Columbia Business School and his MA in
Mathematics from Oxford University. Tom lives with his wife and 3 kids in
Dallas and is an avid Arsenal fan.
As Chief Medical Officer of Ascend Medical, Dr. Smith brings over 20 years of experience leading clinical strategy and innovation across healthcare and technology. Previously Chief Medical Director at WebMD, he helped build one of the most trusted health platforms by translating complex science into clear, human-centered care. For the past three years at Ascend, he has led the development of a connected care model integrating in-person clinics, virtual care, behavioral health, and technology to deliver accessible, whole-person care with exceptional patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Dr. Les Cole has over
45 years as a passionate practitioner in the field of mental health,
spirituality and psychology. He has historically divided his time between
organizational development, clinical practice, training, clinical supervision
and consulting. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Licensed
Professional Counselors Association in 2021 and is the author of the soon to be
released, "The Ketamine Effect." He earned his Bachelor's degree from Texas
Tech; Masters from Phillips University and Doctorate from Columbia Theological
Seminary in conjunction with Emory University. Les and his wife Debi have 6
adult children, 4 granddaughters and live in Marietta, Georgia.
Clark Hawkins joined the Ascend team in July of 2024, as a certified Psychiatrist and Chair of Psychiatry. With a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clark brings a wealth of expertise in mental health and integrative medicine. His extensive experience in clinical settings and his leadership roles in psychiatric departments enable him to provide valuable insights into patient care and mental health strategies. Clark's contributions to Ascend leadership are instrumental in shaping the company's approach to holistic healthcare, ensuring that mental health is a central focus in their medical services and policies.
Michelle has spent the last two years at Ascend Medical leading the organization's people strategy, promoting unity and community across teams to ensure excellence throughout the company. An experienced human resources leader, she brings deep expertise in organizational change, leadership development, HR strategy, legal compliance, and performance improvement. She is passionate about aligning business priorities with effective people practices and partners closely with leaders to build a culture where teams feel connected, supported, and empowered to deliver exceptional care.
