Dr. David Ashley, a resident of Lilburn, has been recognized by the U.S. Public Health Service for his work with tobacco regulation and the importance of this work to the health of the country.  Recently, Dr. Ashley received notice that he has been promoted to Rear Admiral, Lower Half—which also carries the rank of Assistant Surgeon General.  Effective August 17, the announcement included promotion of 19 officers of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service to Rear Admiral.  

The U.S. Public Health Service, first created in 1798 as the Marine Hospital Service, is one of the seven uniformed services in the United States which also include the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

Dr. Ashley is the Director, Office of Science at the Center for Tobacco Products with the Food and Drug Administration.  He has held this position for two years and, with this promotion, will continue to serve in this position.  Prior to working for the FDA, Rear Admiral Ashley worked for over 27 years at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the National Center for Environmental Health.