February 20, 2024
“White Coats” is an AABB News series that interviews the experts that are transforming the fields of transfusion medicine and biotherapies. Join AABB today to read the rest of this month’s issue.
Dawn C. Ward, MD, CABP, is the medical director for the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Health, Blood and Platelet Center and an associate medical director of the transfusion medicine service. She is the medical director of the Human Gene and Cell Therapy, GMP facility as well as the director of the Center for Pathology Research Services and Pathology Research Portal at UCLA, David Geffen School of Medicine. She is also an associate clinical professor in the department of pathology and lab medicine and serves as a co-chair for her department’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Ward received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Spelman College in Atlanta. She subsequently worked in clinical and commercial cell culture manufacturing and as a quality and compliance of officer at a biotech company. She earned her medical doctor degree from Loma Linda University, School of Medicine. She completed her clinical pathology residency at UCLA, David Geffen School of Medicine. She was a clinical/ research fellow in the department of transfusion medicine at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md.
Ward’s scholarly concentration includes clinical laboratory process innovation and blood product utilization. She is passionate about mentoring and introducing pipeline programs to students to expand their interests in health careers and laboratory medicine. Ward was recently selected as a board member of the California Blood Bank Society (CBBS). She was also a member of the CBBS Scientific and Clinical Medical Education Committees. Ward was the recipient of the 2018 UCLA Exceptional Physician Award and the co-recipient of the 2019 American Society of Clinical Pathology Red Cell Utilization, Effective Test Utilization Award.
Ward has been a member of AABB since 2009. She currently serves on the AABB Board of Directors, is a past participant of AABB’s mentoring program and is a member of AABB’s Selection of Abstracts Committee.
Exemplary mentors during my training significantly shaped my professional trajectory in transfusion medicine and biotherapies. In the capacity of a trainee, Dr. Minh-Ha Tran showcased an unwavering passion for transfusion medicine that proved contagious. His guidance enabled me to recognize the potential synergy between my background in biotechnology and my aspiration to contribute meaningfully to patient care.
Mentorship plays a crucial role in shaping the path for our future leaders, and it stands as one of my key passions—a means for me to contribute, particularly as an African American woman in the eld of medicine. Currently, I am actively engaged in mentoring students across various educational levels, extending my guidance to high school students, undergraduate students, medical students, trainees and employees within the laboratory. In the mentorship role, I prioritize active listening to discern the individual needs of each mentee. By offering suggestions from diverse perspectives, I aim to empower them to make informed decisions tailored to their unique requirements. My approach involves fostering a thoughtful decision-making process. Moreover, I am grateful for the mentorships I have received throughout my career. Having been a direct bene - ciary of guidance, especially during my initial year as faculty, I had the privilege of participating in the AABB Mentoring Program as a mentee. These experiences have significantly contributed to my professional growth and underscore the importance of mentorship in nurturing talent within the medical community.
Recently, the most gratifying aspect of my experience in transfusion medicine was being a part of the prompt and impactful initiative undertaken by the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center team in implementing a program for the collection of COVID-19 convalescent plasma. Swiftly pivoting from the closure of mobile whole blood donor drives, we redirected our efforts towards recruiting and collecting CCP from donors. The urgency of the situation extended beyond our hospital. Our rapid concerted collection endeavors contributed to supporting numerous patients across southern California and beyond.
The challenges that currently affect my professional environment align with those encountered across various laboratories—specifically, the issue of employee shortages. Although we find ourselves nearing the resolution of this wave of workforce scarcity and observe improvements in the hiring landscape, it is imperative to shift our attention toward guaranteeing that our emerging workforce undergoes meaningful professional experiences. This necessitates our ability to adapt to their evolving needs, fostering an environment that inspires them to contribute their talents and ideas.
Since the inception of the Black History Month blood drive, my amazing campus recruiter, Tom King, and I have collaboratively engaged with various undergraduate and graduate organizations at UCLA. Together, we have established a structured Campus Blood Coalition, encompassing a diverse group that facilitates donor education and the exchange of effective strategies for recruiting and retaining college blood donors. This coalition not only broadens our outreach but also enhances our visibility among individuals who are underrepresented in blood donation.
Listening to a great book on Audible while navigating through the challenging traffic in Los Angeles.
4550 Montgomery Avenue
Suite 700, North Tower
Bethesda, MD 20814
301.907.6977
