In our latest segment of "Where Are They Now?," we catch up with Dr. Ashley Elam (Smith). Ashley played for two of the first Armstrong State women's soccer teams - joining the team as a junior college transfer from Darton in 2006. She played for two seasons, in 2006 and 2007, and was a third team CoSIDA Academic All-American honoree as a senior in 2007.

Ashley played in 41 matches over her two seasons and was a part of the first Armstrong women's soccer team to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in 2006.

A native of Valdosta, Ga., she graduated from Armstrong with her bachelor's degree in Biology and then attended the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. After completing her studies and her residency, she and her husband Kyle moved to Birmingham, Ala., where she currently practices medicine at the UAB Hospital.

We had the chance to sit down - virtually - with Ashley and talk about her journey to Armstrong, her favorite moments playing soccer for the Pirates, and her work afterwards in becoming a doctor.

1. You came to Armstrong to play soccer in just the second year of the program's existence in 2006. What was that like? Did you have any idea how the team would be?

"I came from junior college - Ken Veilands was my coach at Darton.  Ken Valence was my coach at Darton. I knew some of the girls from Thomasville from when Coach Eric [Faulconer] was there, so I knew what he was like as a coach. I visited Armstrong with one of my teammates from Darton, looked around and met Coach Eric. I had heard that they were pretty successful for a new team. It was fun being a part of a program that was getting off the ground."

2. Your first season, the Pirates did not know they were going to make the NCAA tournament until hearing about the selection on a speakerphone during a conference call. Talk about how special of a moment that was.

"I think that's one of those moments that - you worked so hard as a team, and to want something so badly. To be together in that moment and get that call, it was huge. The team is what soccer is all about. There's no "I" in team. It was the validation of what we worked so hard for."

3. Also in your first season, the Pirates were playing in the 2006 Peach Belt Conference Championship Match. You have to step to the spot and make a penalty kick during a shootout to keep the match going. It's one of the most pressure-filled situations for any soccer player, talk about what that was like.

"I think that's one of the things - I didn't have as many minutes as other players on the team, but this was the place where I felt like I could step up since taking penalties was something I always worked hard at. I was thrilled that Coach Eric picked me as one of the five to shoot. It's just something you prepare for all season. I do remember being very nervous. *laughs* In reminiscing about my time at Armstrong, that was one of the moments I thought about. I was just thankful to contribute in that way."

4. You majored in biology, and graduated from Armstrong in 2007. Now you're practicing internal medicine in Birmingham - take us through what happened after graduation and through medical school.

"First, I went to the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, where I spent my first four years. I then did my Med residency after that. You get together in med school, go to a big matching ceremony, where they have an envelope and everything. Moved to Birmingham for a four-year residency, and I've been out of that for three years. UAB is a great place to train, it's a huge center in the south. I now see adult patients at UAB's in-patient facility. I have dual board certification, and saw pediatric patients up until my first child was born, then I started seeing adults."

5. Obviously, COVID-19 is on everyone's minds right now, and it's affected every segment of the population. As a health professional, how has it impacted what you do?

"Everybody's been affected, whether you're a medical professional or not. As medical people - my husband is a CRNA - we believe in social distancing. I think it's our duty to do that. But it's been very hard with a 2-year old and a 4-month old at home within four walls. *laughs* This is one of the things that soccer teaches you about life. Being on a medical team, there's probably 60 hospital staff we work with. We came together because my hospice group is the chosen group to take care of the COVID-patients, but we all feel like we're in this together. No one is by themselves. We take risks at work, but we love caring for the patients. Initially coronavirus consumed it, but you do good work because everyone is there for a common goal. Soccer teaches you so much about life, and the lessons you learned from it don't stop. As far as our home life, we're still social distancing,, and only doing the essential stuff.

6. So many of your teammates have gone into health professions. Reflect on Armstrong and how strong the health profession programs were.

"I thought back to all my professors. I loved going to Armstrong, it was a small enough place where you could get to know all of your professors. The department was very strong - you got with your mentor, told you what you working towards, and they helped set up what you needed to help you achieve your life goals. I did a biology major and a chemistry minor, so I got to know everyone in that health sciences building. When I came on my visit, I met with the faculty before I came there - and I liked the smaller setting where you get to know about people. Nothing left wanting when I left there."

7. Do you have any final words for the Pirates?

"I hope that the legacy of Armstrong lives on. I know we changed names a couple of times. *laughs* But those years were a special time. I think we just need to hang onto that and not let it go. Pirates forever! I met my husband at Armstrong, and we have lifelong friends there. None of us want those memories to fade."