Dr. Ward joined the University of Michigan faculty in 2003 as the Residency and Oncology Fellowship Program Director and is currently an Associate Professor.  His extensive training included both degrees in medicine and dentistry as well as residency and fellowship training. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Ward's primary clinical interest lies in treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancer in the head and neck.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Ward is a funded researcher in drug delivery with projects ranging from targeted therapies for cancer to novel pain medications with automated antidote release.

Dr. Ward has served locally as the President of the Detroit Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, nationally as past Chairman of the pathology and reconstruction clinical interest group for the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, and internationally as the co-chair of the Research Interest Group in Oncology for the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.