MSN, RN , Masters (Alumni)
Benarah Sanford, MSN, RN, graduated from the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program at the University of South Alabama. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Florida. She believes that continuous learning will enhance the quality of care that she will be able to provide to her patients.
Ms. Sanford’s career in nursing has been defined by compassion, dedication, and cultural sensitivity. She has experience as a nurse in mental health specialties including crisis stabilization, milieu therapy, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), behavioral health case management, and substance use treatment including detoxification.
Through political advocacy, research, and service, Ms. Sanford endeavors to mitigate disparities in mental healthcare for diverse racial and ethnic minority groups. As a member of the National Black Nurses Association Inc. and the Florida Nurses Association she has traveled to both her state capitol and the US Capitol to meet with legislators where she discussed policy initiatives that support access to healthcare for all. Additionally, as a Fellow in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) Minority Fellowship Program at the American Nurses Association, Ms. Sanford will focus her efforts on improving access to mental healthcare services for the children, youth, and adolescents of underserved communities.