What does it mean to be a Southernite?
Being a Southernite is a term of endearment. I have the ability to stand proud knowing that all I do professionally has a direct link to Southern University A&M College.
Dr. Benita's Bio:
​Dr. Benita N. Chatmon is a native of Ruston, Louisiana and a 2001 graduate of Ruston High School. Dr. Chatmon has been a registered nurse for more than 10 years and a nurse educator for the past nine years. She has had the privilege of interacting with thousands of students in both didactic and clinical settings. Currently, Dr. Chatmon is the Assistant Dean for Clinical Nursing Education at LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing and a Certified Nurse Educator. She received a Bachelor of Science (BSN) in Nursing in 2007 and Masters of Science in Nursing Education in 2010 from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She would later receive her PhD in Education with a focus in nursing education in 2016 at Capella University headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Chatmon is a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Certified Peer Reviewer through Quality Matters, and is currently working on her Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) certification.
Dr. Chatmon has demonstrated exemplary contributions to the profession of nursing through service and mentoring and her commitment to her university community as well as the general public. She is the Director of membership, recruitment, and retention for Louisiana State Nurses Association (LSNA). In this role, Dr. Chatmon leads the effort to increase the stature and recognition of nurses, which includes developing strategies for recruitment and retention, and activities to promote membership. In addition, Dr. Chatmon serves as a member of the Board of Trustee for CrescentCare. In this role, she assist with managing the affairs, funding, strategic direction and adoption of rules and regulations governing the action of the Board, Staff, and volunteers
Dr. Chatmon was inducted into the Louisiana Great 100 Nurses (2017) and selected as a CityBusiness 2019 Health Care Hero. In addition, she was awarded the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Faculty which is given to Nursing Faculty for their inspirational influence on the nurses of today and tomorrow. Dr. Chatmon is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Notably, Dr. Chatmon is also a veteran in the United States Army.
Dr. Chatmon possesses a commitment to excellence and improving practices and service as evidenced by her numerous presentations, journal publications, and committee work. Her research interest focuses on mentoring in the nursing profession, tools/initiatives to increase diversity in nursing, mental health within the Black community, and adult learning theories.