Tonita R. Cheatham is the Group Chief Community Engagement Officer for the DMC

She is responsible for directing and managing multi-level community engagement and business development activities and strategies that successfully fulfill DMC’s external reputation management objectives and positions DMC as a reliable, reputable and quality community partner.  Internally, Tonita works closely with market leadership, hospital executive teams, and service line leadership, positioning them as local and national thought leaders on important current healthcare matters.

Tonita is 25+ year integrated communications and media professional, who has an established track record of creating, executing and managing broad-based communication and engagement strategies. Tonita’ s professional experience has placed her in key leadership roles within highly matrix organizations where she has executed various communication and engagement strategies that have consistently yielded successful and measurable results for her executive teams and organizations. Additionally, in her capacity of community liaison, Tonita has demonstrated her proficiency in leadership roles on several highly successful community health initiatives while building and maintaining credible and relevant relationships with primary stakeholder groups (academic, governmental, ecumenical, grass roots, medical, etc.).

Often referred to as “high-energy”, Tonita motivates others to work at a higher level while stimulating greater engagement. She fosters a collaborative leadership style by maintaining trustworthy and engaging relationships with others that are built on critical listening, purposeful questioning and a desire to meaningfully assist.  And, she has established personal and professional credibility by engaging in respectful and highly engaged interactions with team members, business leaders, and community organizations in service to her community.

Tonita earned her Master of Science degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL and a Bachelor of Art’s degree in English/Journalism from Tougaloo College, a HBCU (Historically Black College & University) in Tougaloo, MS.