Luther Ward, M.D., MPHTM, FACS
Program Director of Global Surgery
Professor
Undergraduate Degree: University of Arizona / BS Molecular Cellular Biology
Graduate Degree: Tulane University MPHTM
Medical School: Tulane University, MD, 2005
Residency: ETSU Surgery, 2010
Board Certifications or Fellowship(s):
- American Board of Surgery
- Harvard Global Surgery
Areas of Special Interest:
- Global Surgery
Brief Bio:
Prior to medical school, Dr. Ward worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana, where he developed a passion for helping underserved communities. After residency, Dr. Ward moved to Gold Beach, Oregon, where he developed the first General Surgery program for the local rural access hospital.
In 2013, he was selected to the Paul Farmer Global Surgery Fellowship. After completing his fellowship in Mirebalais, Dr. Ward moved to St. Boniface Hospital in Fond du Blanc, Haiti. Prior to Dr. Ward’s arrival, St. Boniface Hospital had a small GYN program but no General Surgery capabilities. Over the next year, Dr. Ward developed the first 24/7 surgical program in southern Haiti. He remained at St. Boniface for two more years and grew the General Surgery department significantly. This growth included building a new OR complex, bringing in Haitian residents from other hospitals for training, and adding three more General Surgeons.
In 2018, he moved back to the United States to develop the SEAL Global Surgery Fellowship at ETSU. The aim of this fellowship is to provide highly trained surgeons to resource poor areas, while expanding the knowledge and capabilities of those surgeons.