We are looking to share Successful Student Outcomes from our Tyler ISD Alumni. Our goal is to inspire current students with the endless possibilities for career and life success. Learn more and share your story.
What began as a foundational education in Tyler ISD has since transformed into a distinguished career dedicated to advancing public health and policy for Dr. CeRon Ford. A proud graduate of Orr Elementary School, Boulter Middle School, and John Tyler High School, Class of 2013, Ford’s journey is a powerful example of what can happen when academic curiosity, determination, and community support come together.
As a 2013 Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient, Ford attended Baylor University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. He went on to earn a Master of Public Health from Morehouse School of Medicine and both a Master of Science and PhD in Health Services Research, Policy, & Administration from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.
Today, Dr. Ford serves as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health. His experience includes supporting health communications at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and teaching at Morehouse School of Medicine and the University of Minnesota.
At the heart of Dr. Ford’s work is a commitment to advancing mental health equity. His research explores mental health outcomes and access to services across the life course, including the impact of social factors, healthcare barriers, media and messaging, and other determinants of health. His work has been published in respected journals, including The Milbank Quarterly, Qualitative Health Research, and the Journal of Religion and Health.
Ford’s dedication to public health research has earned national recognition, including the 2025–2026 Scholarly Excellence and Diversity Award, the Dr. Bill Jenkins Achievement Award, and induction into the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health. His doctoral dissertation research was also supported by the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Through his work, Ford aims to develop evidence-based research that informs federal and state policies and improves population health nationwide.
Favorite Memory: One of my favorite memories from high school is the time I spent with my childhood best friends through the many student organizations we participated in together, including Student Council, National Honor Society, and numerous community service events. Those friendships were an invaluable part of my high school experience. Although I will not name them here, they know who they are. They kept me grounded, encouraged me to grow, and lifted me up when I needed support. I remain deeply grateful for their friendship and steadfast encouragement, both then and to this day.
What teacher made the biggest impact on your life and why? While I am grateful for the support, guidance, and lessons I received from all of my Tyler ISD teachers and counselors, Mrs. Stefanie Stone Gaitan, my AVID advisor during my junior year, made an especially lasting impact. She emphasized the importance of education and shared words that have stayed with me throughout my life, "People can take away your house. People can take away your car. But people cannot take away your education." That lesson has continued to inspire me to value lifelong learning and the opportunities that education provides.
Advice to current Tyler ISD students: Believe in yourself, even when others may not, and be willing to invest in your own potential when no one else will. Your future is shaped by the choices you make, so be tenacious in your pursuit of education, work hard, make wise decisions, and never give up. As Maya Angelou wisely said, "Nothing will work unless you do."