Retta Ward (May 4, 1953 – March 3, 2016) was an American health advocate, health official and former high school teacher. She served as the state Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health, the largest government agency in the state, from January 2013 until her death in March 2016, during the administration of Governor Susanna Martinez. Retta Ward was raised in New Mexico. She received a bachelor's degree in health education from the University of New Mexico and her master's degree in public health from the University of Arizona.