Dawn Ford

Dr. Ford is contributing faculty in the PhD of Public Health program in at Walden. She holds the PhD in Public Health (Epidemiology) from Walden University. She is also Certified in Public Health (CPH). She has taught in higher education for over 25 years in the areas of biology, environmental science, public health, and leadership.

Her primary area of research interest is environmental health and epidemiology. In public health, she has taught courses in environmental health, health systems, leadership in public health, health promotion and communication, chronic disease epidemiology, infectious disease epidemiology, advanced epidemiological methods, and climate change and health. She has work experience in a local health department and is the current President of Tennessee Public Health Association. Dr. Ford served as the Chief Epidemiologist for COVID-19 response at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Dr. Ford's current full-time position is as the Epidemiology Department Manager at the Hamilton County Health Department. She also is a public health consultant for the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and other organizations/institutions.

Courses Taught

PHLT 8520 - Advanced Epidemiological Methods

Education

PhD, Walden University

Post-master's Certificate, University of Tennessee

MS, Miami University

BS, Western Kentucky University

Public Service

Chattanooga Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Board, Board of Directors - Chattanooga

Tennessee Public Health Association, President -

Ivy Academy, Board of Directors - Soddy Daisy

Awards / Honors

Carolyn Thompson and Roger Brown Community Service Award, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 2023

Grantsmanship Award, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 2023

Outstanding Service Award, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 2022

Publications

Ford, D., Saraney, J. Benefits of Integrating Service-Learning With Other High-Impact Practices. Scholarly Teacher

Garland, T., McGuffee, K., Ford, D., Dotson, E. (2023). Politicizing Vaccination Requirements: American University Responses in the Era of COVID-19. Higher Education Policy

Coulter, A., McElrone, M., Ford, D., Hamilton, K. (2023). Exploring Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Among Students, Faculty, and Staff at a Southeastern University in the United States. Journal of American College Health

Presentations

Ford, D., Mandernach, J. (2023). Post-Pandemic Teaching: Revisiting Common Practices. OLC

Ford, D., Saraney, J. (2023). Preparedness Lessons: Mpox knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs on a college campus. NACCHO

Ford, D. (2023). Climate Adaptations in Small and Rural Counties. National Association of City and County Health Officials

Ford, D. (2023). Extreme Weather and Emergency Preparedness. Tennessee Public Health Association