Dr. Ware was born in Los Angeles, CA and a product of the LA public school systems. He attended the University of Redlands and left after 3 years to attend the University of California San Francisco Medical School and UC Berkeley School of Public Health from which he graduated with a M.D. and M.P.H. in 4 years. He is board certified in preventive medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine. While in medical school, he was elected the President of the Student National Medical Association, a national organization of predominantly Black medical students. Dr. Ware became the Chief of the Nation's High Blood Pressure Demonstration Programs at the National Institute of Health. Dr. Ware conceived of and Co-Chaired the first White House Conference on high blood pressure in Black communities under President Jimmy Carter. After returning home to Los Angeles, Dr. Ware became one of the first African American fellows in Cardiology at the Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Los Angeles and later served as the President of the Kaiser Alumni Association of Southern California.