Middle Park Health has officially launched the Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) programs in its Granby Campus Emergency Department. The program is the first in Grand County to provide a critical, compassionate service for victims who previously would have to travel to the Front Range or Summit County or go without this specialized treatment. The program will ensure timely trauma-informed care close to home, which improves both patient outcomes and access to justice.
Seven nurses have completed the FNE training program, which included a minimum of 84 training hours. Through collaboration with UCHealth’s SANE/SAFE program, Middle Park Health can provide the telehealth services for all forensic patients with 24/7 care, answer questions in real time, review cases, and continue with training and education.
Lyndsey Stuerman, Forensic Nurse Examiner, Medical Director, Program Coordinator and Nurse Practitioner, has worked on bringing this program to the Grand County and surrounding communities for several months.
“Seeing the impact I made from my days of being a SANE [sexual assault nurse examiner] in St. Louis gave me the drive to develop the program here in Grand County. Our Forensic Nurse Examiner team can do this here for so many patients who have been traumatized by sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and physical assaults, including non-fatal strangulation and abuse,” said Lyndsey, who is also one of the trained nurses.
If a victim presents after an assault, whether through the ER, law enforcement, or referral, they are connected with one of the trained Forensic Nurse Examiners at Middle Park Health’s Granby Emergency Department. After the exam, the FNE will provide resources that include information on continuation of care through a primary care provider, referrals, and care coordination with our MPH social workers and Grand County Advocates.
Thanks to the generous grants from Mountain Parks Electric, the Grand Foundation, and the success of Middle Park Medical Foundation’s Annual BASH fundraiser, the FNE/SANE program has been fully funded for its first year of operation.
FNE Team (left to right): Rebecca Aither, RN, Libby Boyd, MPH Victims Advocate Volunteer, Lyndsey Stuerman, NP-C, Mabon Acord, RN, Caitlin Cartmell, RN, Lo Morissette, RN.
Not Pictured: Kerri Elam, RN, Kyra Steinmeyer, RN
