Achieve Excellence with
Industry-Leading Training and Consulting Services
We specialize in public health and environmental health consulting and training services to help organizations stay updated and develop effective plans for community health programs and interventions. Our expertise in evidence-based education and solutions ensures that your programs meet requirements and contribute positively to the well-being of the community.
My professional career has spanned nearly 30 years with work in higher education, local government, non-profit organizations, and business. I have worked in the disciplines of environmental science, emergency preparedness, and public health, concentrating on environmental health and epidemiology. Recently, my focus has been on vector borne diseases.
I have earned degrees in Biology and Environmental Studies (B.S., WKU), Botany (M.S., Miami U), Applied Epidemiology (Graduate Certificate, UTK), and Public Health: Epidemiology (PhD, Walden). I also hold certificates in Women in Leadership (Cornell) and Legal Epidemiology (Temple). I am also Certified in Public Health (CPH) and am a licensed pesticide applicator.
Meet Dr. Ford
Credentials
Award Highlights
Member of the Year
I have volunteered on the board of the Tennessee Public Health Association for several years. I am now Past President. I have served as Program Chair of the annual conference for two years. At the 2025 conference in September, I was honored with the Member of the Year Award.
Excellence in Teaching
In April 2025, I was honored with the Excellence in Teaching Award from UTC. I was nominated by a colleague with letters of support from several students who had been in my classes and participated in field-based experiences.
Hometown Hero
Through the pandemic, I served as UTC's Chief Epidemiologist. In this role, I worked closely with Dr. Yasmine Key, Director of Student Health, and Dr. Chris Smith, Director of the School of Nursing. We were recognized as Hometown Heros by UTC Athletics in October 2021.
Services Provided
Climate Resiliency Training
Workshops and consulting on climate impacts and projections based on current scientific data. We include information about impacts and resiliency strategies for specific sectors such as agriculture, drinking water, infrastructure, and public health.
Vector borne Disease Training
Scientific training on vector borne diseases in Southeast Tennessee, with a focus on those spread by mosquitoes and ticks. These diseases are expanding their range due to climate, urbanization, and increased global travel.
Pesticide Applicator Training
Being a licensed pesticide applicator in Tennessee and a trained epidemiologist, I provide approved trainings in Tennessee and Georgia for pesticide applicators to meet their CEU requirements.
Grant and Fundraising Assistance
Grant writing and fundraising services for non-profit organizations, with a focus on public and environmental health.
Curriculum Consulting and Design
Expert course design consulting for organizations and higher education institutions on public health, medical entomology, environment science, and related fields.
Data Analysis and Reporting
Complex data analysis, visualization, and interpretation for reporting. This work can help support a grant proposal, assess a program/project, or provide the basis of a white paper or manuscript.