Managing in Turbulent Times: Emerging Leaders in Public Health

Current Scholars

Mechell Ward K. Mechell Ward, BS, MS
Research Associate, University of North Texas Health Science Center

Area of work: Community Health

K. Mechell Ward is currently serving as a Research Associate with the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC). K. Mechell is responsible for conducting evaluation and continuous quality improvement for local research studies. Furthermore, she works with a coalition of social service agencies that promotes a system of care for HIV positive clients and those affected by HIV. In addition, she is exploring a second community based study to examine the HPV vaccine acceptability among primary caregivers of high-risk youth.

Prior to joining the UNTHSC, K. Mechell served as a public administrator in focusing on social policy and community affairs. To date, she has worked in governmental, nonprofit and academic environments. With over 10 years of direct experience in intergovernmental affairs, community development, social policy and grants administration, she is familiar with crisis management, strategic plan design and execution.

In 1996, she was appointed to the United States Federal Government's Outstanding Scholar Program and joined the Social Security Administration (SSA). There she implemented federal social policies to determine beneficiary eligibility and adjudicate disability, retirement and Medicare claims. After the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of (PRWORA) 1996 was passed, she led a local survey to identify ineligible SSA cases. Since then medical sociology, health care policy and disability issues have been of great interest in her graduate studies. From 2001-2003 she served as a member of the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance and the Continuum of Care Committee - Peer Review Subcommittee where she reviewed social service and healthcare provider proposals to organize comprehensive care for the Dallas County region.

K. Mechell received Business Administration certification from Bish Mathis Institute, a Bachelor of Science degree in Government from Texas Woman's University and a Master of Science Degree in Applied Sociology from the University of Texas at Dallas. K. Mechell has received numerous academic honors and community service accolades. She is a member of the Society for Social Problems, American Association for Public Health and the Association for Clinical and Applied Sociology.

Ward's main area of research is health services management and policy and the application the uninsured, disabled, women's health and chronic illness. She is the Principal of KMW Development, an organizational development firm specializing in grants administration and project management. Her future goals include the pursuit of a doctoral degree, teaching and working closely with organizations to implement effective health assessment and intervention programs.

Personal Information

K. Mechell Ward is a native Louisianan. She enjoys studying natural medicine, reading, jewelry design, pilates, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family. She is married to Lawrence A. Ward. She has a Shih Tzu name K.D., two frogs and a host of tropical fish.

What I would like to get out of this program

K. Mechell is confident that the UNC Emerging Leaders in Public Health Fellowship will prove to be a life changing experience. As a 2008 - 2009 fellow, she hopes to:

  • Become acquainted with other UNC fellows and new associations,
  • Identify and address obstacles that impact critical health issues,
  • Enhance research and development skills, and
  • Maximize her contribution to the UNTHSC team and the field of public health.