Jawana L. Williams, DrPHc, MPH-CHS, MA-P
    DrPH Candidate | Tulane University
      Founder & Principal Consultant












"I diagnose "SYSTEMS, not SYMPTOMS"      


 

Professional Public Health Journey​​

Jawana L. Williams, DrPHc, MPH-CHS, MA-P is a seasoned public health professional with over 12 years of experience advancing infectious disease prevention, health equity, and community-centered engagement across diverse settings. She currently serves as the inaugural Disease Research & Intervention Surveillance Specialist with Seattle & King County Public Health – Jail Health Services, where she has pioneered innovative, prevention-focused approaches to care in carceral systems.

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Jawana developed and launched the first female-targeted HIV and syphilis rapid testing program within King County correctional facilities, addressing a long-standing gap in women’s health behind bars. Through the implementation of point-of-care testing, she created a model that delivers immediate results, timely treatment, sexual health education, and intentional linkage to prevention and care resources—including PrEP navigation—prior to release. This initiative improved early detection and continuity of care while offering a replicable, gender-responsive framework for correctional health systems nationwide.

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Her career spans community-based organizations, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), academic institutions, HBCUs, and correctional health services. She has led CDC-funded HIV prevention programs in the Southeastern United States, supervised HRSA-funded sexual health initiatives at Whitman-Walker Health in Washington, DC, supported the COVID-19 response with Johns Hopkins University, and directed HIV/STI outreach and education efforts across the Southeast and Pacific Northwest. Across these roles, she has consistently supported education, navigation, and linkage to HIV prevention tools—working alongside clinical and community partners to reduce barriers to PrEP access and engagement.

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Beyond program delivery, Jawana brings strong experience in executive-level engagement and cross-sector collaboration. She has worked closely with C-Suite and D-Suite leaders, public health administrators, and community stakeholders to align organizational priorities with community needs, strengthen prevention ecosystems, and support sustainable, data-informed programming. Her work emphasizes relationship-building, strategic planning, and influencing without authority to advance shared public health goals.

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Academically, Jawana earned her Master of Public Health in Community Health Sciences from Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine (2025) and her Bachelor of Science in Health Education from Johnson C. Smith University, a historically Black university in Charlotte, NC. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) at Tulane University, specializing in Organizational Leadership, Health Equity, and Advocacy in Social and Behavioral Sciences.

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As the Founder & Principal Public Health Consultant of Unity Health Navigators, LLC, Jawana extends her work beyond traditional public health systems to support community-driven solutions that bridge gaps in care. Her organization provides HIV/STI counseling, rapid testing, PrEP education and navigation, consulting, training, and equity-focused program development—designed to strengthen prevention pathways and improve outcomes for underserved, rural, and carceral populations.

At the core of Jawana’s work is a guiding belief: health is more than treatment—it is equity, compassion, and the power of community. She is committed to partnering with organizations and leaders to expand access to prevention, strengthen linkage-to-care, and build healthier, more resilient communities.