Barbara Ward, Deputy Secretary,
Women and Minority Veterans Affairs
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Ms. Barbara Ward was appointed as the Deputy Secretary of Women and Minority Veterans Affairs on
May 24, 2007. She was previously appointed as Bureau Chief for Private Postsecondary and
Vocational Education in 2005. Deputy Secretary Ward is responsible for ensuring that issues
important to women and minority veterans remain a priority in the planning and implementation
of public policies. Ward’s primary goal is to increase the utilization of available services at
the federal, state and local levels by women and minority veterans.
Ms. Ward is a native of Florida and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, School of Nursing and her Master’s Degree of
Public Administration in Health Services Management from Golden Gate University, Sacramento.
Ward is a registered nurse with a diverse background in health care administration, health
insurance and workers’ compensation. She has held executive level management positions such
as: Regional Director of Field Case Management with Broadspire, Vice President of Medical
Services with Combined Benefits Insurance Company and Assistant Director of Administrative
and Professional Services at the University of California Davis Medical Center. Additionally,
she worked as the Quality Assurance Coordinator at Mather Air Force Base Hospital.
Deputy Secretary Ward served as an officer in the United States Air Force in the nursing corps
from 1972 – 1974 at Military Airlift Command in Illinois. She is a member of the Women in Military
Service Memorial, AMVETS, The American Legion, and the Military Officers Association of America.
During her appointment as Bureau Chief, she was responsible for the Title 38 program which provides
assistance to active duty military personnel and veterans in utilizing their MGIB to pursue their
education at schools and institutions approved by the Veterans Administration.
Ms. Ward is passionate about giving back to her community. Currently she serves as a board
member of Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Health Education Council. In the past, she has been
involved with the American Cancer Society. Ward is also an active member of the Eta Gamma Omega
Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. She has held adjunct faculty appointments at the
University of Phoenix and Golden Gate University.
Ward is the proud mother of her daughter, Joy.
As of July 24, 2008
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