Dawn M. Ford, PhD, Cph, Tn Public Health Association President
About Dawn M. Ford, PhD, Cph, Tn Public Health Association President
Dawn M. Ford, PhD, Cph, serves as the President of the Tennessee Public Health Association and is a Professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. With extensive experience in public health, she oversees a team addressing health disparities and teaches courses on pandemic preparedness and epidemiology.
Current Positions
Dawn M. Ford, PhD, currently holds multiple roles in the field of public health. She serves as a Professor at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga since 2023. Additionally, she works as a Public Health Subject Matter Expert at Western Governors University and as an Instructor in Pandemic Preparedness at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, both also starting in 2023. Furthermore, she is the Epidemiology Department Manager at Hamilton County Government, a position she has held since 2023. Ford is also a Co-Owner of Mosquito Joe, a role she has undertaken since 2022.
Previous Experience
Dawn M. Ford has extensive experience in academia and public health. She worked at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in various capacities, including Assistant Professor, Clinical Associate Professor, and Executive Director of Teaching and Learning. Her tenure at the university spanned from 1997 to 2022. Ford also served as Chief Epidemiologist and Assistant Director during her time there. Prior to her academic roles, she was the Emergency Response Coordinator and Environmental Scientist for Hamilton County Government from 2004 to 2011. Additionally, she has experience as Adjunct Faculty at Chattanooga State Community College.
Education and Qualifications
Dawn M. Ford holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Health: Epidemiology from Walden University, completed from 2009 to 2013. She also earned a Master of Science (M.S.) in Botany from Miami University and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology and Environmental Studies from Western Kentucky University. Ford has obtained several graduate certificates, including in Epidemiology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and in Women in Leadership from Cornell University. In 2023, she completed a Certificate in Legal Epidemiology from Temple University.
Professional Contributions
Dawn M. Ford has developed and implemented evidence-based strategies, policies, and programs aimed at promoting health and well-being among diverse populations. She oversees a team of public health professionals who monitor and respond to infectious and chronic disease outbreaks, environmental hazards, and health disparities. In her teaching roles, she focuses on courses related to pandemic preparedness, epidemiology, and environmental health, mentoring students in research and grant writing. Ford holds QM certifications as a Higher Education Master and Peer Reviewer.
Awards and Recognition
Dawn M. Ford has received multiple awards and honors for her outreach, service, and community engagement efforts. These recognitions reflect her commitment to public health and her contributions to the field through various initiatives and programs. Her work has significantly impacted the communities she serves, particularly in addressing health disparities and promoting public health education.