Melody Fortune

Dr. Melody L. Fortune retired as an Associate Professor (with tenure) in Healthcare Administration at Delta State University in 2023. She is currently an adjunct professor in Healthcare Administration at Delta State University and a consultant in healthcare and education. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology from Tougaloo College, Master of Science in Health Promotion and Education and Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration with an emphasis in Health Policy from Mississippi State University. She also completed the Certified Supervisory Management and the Certified Public Manager Program for the state of Mississippi. Her research interests are in breast and cervical cancer, health disparity, and health equity issues.

Dr. Fortune has more than 23 years of experience in public health. She founded the MS Witness Project, a 501 (c) (3) faith-based non-profit organization. She initiated the Pink Ribbon Gala in 2005, which funds raised assist those diagnosed with cancer in the state. Under her leadership, at the Mississippi State Department of Health funding for breast and cervical cancer tripled from $691 thousand to more than $2 million annually. During her tenure at the Mississippi State Department of Health she was the Principal Investigator for funding exceeding $22 million dollars. Also, she was Co-Investigator and Advisor for funding exceeding $61 thousand dollars. Also, under her leadership the number of women screened increased from 513 in 1998 to more than 7,000 annually. She has grant-writing and program development experiences.

At Delta State University, she established the Student Association of Future Healthcare Professionals. Under her auspices, Delta State University was approved by the American College of Healthcare Executives for a Health Education Network affiliate. She was also selected as a Zhi-Xing Academic Impact Fellow in the Chinese Studies Institute. Additionally, she lectured at Perm State University, the Perm Krai Oncology Center, and Perm Krai A.M. Gorky Library in Perm, Russia. She is an active member of the Jackson Tougaloo Alumni Chapter (JTAC). She received the alumni of the year in 2022 for the JTAC. In 2022, she chaired the Tougaloo College Educators Affinity Group. She is also an active member of the Tougaloo College Booster Club. She enjoys reading, golfing, and board games. She also enjoys traveling and most spectator sports.