+ − Contact Information
Email Address: /emailmember.asp?member_id=5&legislature=52&session_id=115
Phone: (602) 926-4138
Fax: (602) 417-3165
Office Address:
Room 306
1700 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
+ − Biography
Senator Kelli Ward was born and raised in West Virginia. Kelli graduated from Bridgeport High School where she worked hard to achieve the highest honor - valedictorian. She was also voted Most Likely To Succeed. In high school, Kelli was very involved including being the president of the National Honor Society, a cheerleader, a member of the volleyball and tennis teams, a member of the Key Club, and she served as an officer in Student Government.
She attended Duke University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in psychology. She worked as an environmental chemist in Florida for a year and credits her co-workers with strengthening her Republican/Conservative values by introducing her to talk radio and Rush Limbaugh. Kelli attended the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and graduated with her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree in 1996. She completed her Family Medicine Residency training in Garden City, Michigan.
Kelli met her husband, Michael Ward, during medical school and they married in 1995. Michael is an Emergency Medicine physician and is the founding partner of Arizona Emergency Medicine Specialists. He is a Colonel in the AZ Air National Guard and currently serves as Arizona's State Air Surgeon. Kelli and Mike have three children Nick, Katie, and Cameron.
In 1999, the family moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. They have put down deep roots as they have served their community, schools, and family businesses. Nick graduated from high school in 2012 and is attending California State University. Katie and Cameron both attend Lake Havasu High School after spending their pre-high school years at Calvary Christian Academy. Kelli served on the school board at CCA including serving as the Chairman of that board. Kelli returned to school to complete her Master of Public Health degree with an emphasis in health policy after she completed a year-long health policy fellowship.
Dr. Ward started Lakeview Family Health Care with her mom, Dr. Lorraine Byrd. Lorraine has always been an inspiration to Kelli - striving to live her dreams by becoming a pediatrician as a second career. Lorraine started medical school when she was 42 and Kelli started her political career at the same age. Kelli sold her medical practice to North Country Community Healthcare after ten years of private practice. North Country is part of the health safety net it is a community health center. Dr. Ward worked there for two years as a staff physician and regional medical director. As she transitioned to running for office, Kelli shifted from primary care to emergency care and she now works as a physician in the Emergency Departments in both Lake Havasu City and Kingman. Dr. Ward is also the Director of Medical Education at Kingman Regional Medical Center where she helps to train new physicians to become excellent health care providers.
Kelli has been politically active in her profession since she was a medical student. She served as the national president of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association and has been active on the local, state, and national levels as a practicing doctor as well. She recently completed her term as the president of the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association.
Kelli has always been interested in community and public service and has felt a keen responsibility to build and improve her city and state. She is a member of the Lake Havasu City Rotary Club and she served as a Lake Havasu Chamber Ambassador. She also completed leadership training through the Chamber of Commerce building important community networks to enable her to get things done.
Kelli feels that integrity and openness are essential in order for a public official to effectively represent the people.
Background and Experience
Education:
BS, Psychology, Duke University
D.O., West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
MPH, A.T. Still School of Health Management
Profession:
Family physician
Director of Medical Education, Kingman Regional Medical Center
Small business owner
Family:
Married to Colonel Michael P. Ward, D.O., parent of three children Katie, Cameron, and Nick
One dog, Rosie
Family in Lake Havasu - Kelli's parents (Lorraine and step-dad, Richard) and Mike's parents (Pat and Bruce)
One brother, Dr. Derek Kaznoski
Resident of Lake Havasu City since 1999
Volunteer and Community Service
Rotary International Member, December 2006 to present
Chamber of Commerce Leadership Development Class of 2006-2007
Chamber Ambassador for the Lake Havasu Chamber of Commerce, April 2005 to February 2007
Women's Network Exchange of AZ, member, 2004 to 2007
Liga International - Flying Doctors of Mercy - Member, April 2009 to present
Lake Havasu Referrals Club, member, 2005 to 2007
Provided no cost well female exams to under- or uninsured in Lake Havasu City
Member of numerous Republican clubs and organizations
Volunteered for the Lake Havasu Women's Health Fairs, 1999 to present
Volunteered for the Lake Havasu High School Teen Pregnancy Maze project, 1999
Taught EMT refresher course subjects for Lake Havasu Fire/Rescue
Taught Basic Life Support to high school students as part of the Havasu Heart Association
Sponsor events for Hospice of Havasu and Havasu Health Trust
Political Appointments:
Appointed to the AZ Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants by Governor Janet Napolitano, July 2005 to 2009; reappointed by Governor Jan Brewer, July 2009 to December 2012.
Honors and Awards:
Outstanding Female Leader 2013, American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
Woman of the Year 2012, London Bridge Republican Women's Club
Dodie Londen Excellence in Public Service Class of 2011-2012
Young Family Physician of the Year, 2008, American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
Physician of the Year, 2007, Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association
Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, July 2005
Featured in The D.O. Magazine - December 2004, Women of Influence
American Osteopathic Foundation/Wyeth Emerging Leader Award, 2002
People's Choice Physician of the Year for Lake Havasu City, 2002
American Osteopathic Foundation Outstanding Resident of the Year. 1999
Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Outstanding Resident Teacher Award. 1999
Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Academic Fellowship Scholarship. 1999
Allan Breakie Medical Resident Writing Award, First Place, 1999
Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians Resident Writing Award, Second Place, 1999
Michigan Association of Directors and Medical Educators Scientific Poster Award, First Place, 1998
Intern Class Representative. 1996-1997
Member of the Housestaff Training Committee at Garden City Osteopathic Hospital. 1996-1997
Graduated with honors from WVSOM. 1996
West Virginia Board of Regents Tuition and Fee Waiver for the 1994-1995 school year (awarded to the top six WV students at WVSOM)
Auxiliary to the American Osteopathic Association/National Osteopathic Foundation National Scholarship. 1993 (awarded to 15 students across the country per year)
National Student Osteopathic Medical Association Corporate Grant. 1993
National Student Osteopathic Medical Association Medical Education Scholarship. 1994, 1995, 1996
Sandoz Award for Outstanding Local Organization President. 1994
Sigma Sigma Phi member (National Osteopathic Honor Society
Psi Sigma Alpha member (National Osteopathic Academic Honor Society