Board Members

Dr Betty Braxter head shot and BIO for Zita project.Betty J. Braxter, PhD, CNM, RN is the Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Program, and Associate t Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing. She works with undergraduate and second degree students in the maternal-child course.  She also works with graduate students in the midwifery program at the School of Nursing. She teaches a nurse-midwife global and community didactic course and clinical practicum. She has served on dissertation committees and capstone projects targeting tobacco use, high risk prenatal care (e.g., gestational diabetes), and community engagement.As a certified nurse-midwife, she has managed care of women across the lifespan. Clinical activities have also required her to provide care to women experiencing postpartum depression and other mental health disorders.Her research interests target tobacco use inclusive of electronic cigarettes among childbearing age women. Her academic preparation has allowed her to conduct and direct quantitative analyses as well as qualitative analyses (i.e., content analysis). She has also been trained in a qualitative data collection method known as focus group. Her clinical expertise, research interest, and academic preparation are well aligned with the aims of the female veteran mental health first aid project.

She is a registered nurse with numerous years of experience especially in the area of pediatric and women’s health. She is a board member of the March of Dimes in Pittsburgh area which is one of the biggest non profit organisation groups taking care of premature children. Doretta is a strong member of her church and plays important role in assisting family re-unions.