Medical Director, Long-Covid Program Director
Functional Medicine|Integrative Medicine|Chinese Medicine
Ashley Drapeau is the Medical Director and Director of the Long COVID program at GWCIM, with over 14 years of experience as a Physician Assistant (PA). After serving six years in the USAF, Ashley shifted their focus to integrative and functional medicine, specializing in complex conditions like Long COVID, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).
What she does:
Ashley uses functional medicine approaches in combination with eastern medicine to offer patient-centered care. She holds a Master’s degree in Acupuncture, further enhancing her ability to integrate diverse treatments. Currently, Ashley works at GWCIM to guide patients in their
recovery, focusing on those facing complex chronic illnesses. Ashley provides several types of services:
- – Functional Medicine consultations
- – Acupuncture and Chinese medicine
- – Facial Acupuncture
- – Microneedling (for hair loss and skin disorders)
- – LongCovid consultations (Functional and Integrative Medicine)
- – LongCovid Medical Groups
Accomplishments and Awards:
- Director of Long COVID program at GWCIM
- Medical Director at GWCIM
- NCCPA Ambassador
- Featured as a subject matter expert in the media for Long COVID advocacy
- A recipient of 2024 Health.com Award for Long COVID program and advocacy
Education:
- Master’s degree and board certification in PA studies
- Master’s degree and board certification in Acupuncture
Experience:
- Six years as a PA in the United States Air Force
- Adjunct professor at George Washington University’s Integrative Medicine
Department - PA for GWU Resiliency & Well-Being Center
- Board member for Long COVID research at Dartmouth
- Member of the working group with HHS to define Long COVID
- Appointed on expert panel for Long COVID Education, Engagement, and Care
Management; funded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC)
Personal Detail:
As a survivor of Long COVID, Ashley’s personal journey shapes her compassionate approach to patient care, advocating for long-term recovery. Beyond their clinical work, Ashley enjoys outdoor activities and
meditation, finding balance through mindfulness and community support. She also volunteers for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).
An article “Unlock the Secrets to Preventing Long COVID: Insights from a Board Certified PA”
Testimonials
“I have visited both Dr. Drapaeu and Dr. Novak and both have changed my life. After being sick for about a year, Dr. Drapeau performed every test under the sun and gave me simple solutions to feel better. I have now not been sick for nearly a year. “ – Josie Zox, January 2025 on Google
” Ashley, and their colleagues are among the few practitioners with a deep knowledge of long Covid. The program should be scaled up, with funding from the federal government and donations to serve a much larger number of patients suffering from long Covid and the chronic illnesses triggered by viral and bacterial infections such as Covid and Lyme. As these diseases — especially Covid with its latest variant and summer surge — continue to infect large numbers of the population, the need for the work of the center and similar ones around the country will grow and grow.” – Charles Thomas, 2024, on Google
Schedule an appointment with Ashle Drapeau
