Caring through a dual forensic lens: Military forensic examiners and civilian forensic examiners

3^rd International Conference on Forensic Research and Technology

October 06-08, 2014 Hilton San Antonio Airport, USA

Myna Shegog

Accepted Abstracts: J Forensic Res

Abstract :

North Chicago VAMC and the Naval Health Center Great Lakes merged together to form the first of its kind Department of Defense - U.S.Navy / Veterans Administration Medical Center known as the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (Lovell FHCC). The SANE program has been transformed into a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) program and integrated to include civilian SANE nurses and military physicians, nurses and physician assistants; all of the examiners came together to ensure that sexual assault survivors received the highest quality care. This group of providers focused on evidence-based, patient-driven care and provided services to survivors of sexual assault as one entity. The Lovell FHCC SAFE program evolved through progressive growth, creativity and a challenging journey. The influential nurse leaders that propelled the SAFE program exemplified empowerment by demonstrating shared decision making; developing and maintaining strong community partnerships; and encompassing lifelong professional development strategies that promoted individual, as well as team growth. These guiding principles helped steer the integration of the Lovell FHCC SAFE Program. The immediate availability to provide high quality services to all Department of Defense survivors of sexual assault, whether military or civilian; the cohesiveness of the integrated program; the side-by-side training of all SAFEs both military and civilian; and the support system that was instituted for every survivor is the essence of this success. Achieving evidence based outcomes takes teamwork, innovative ideas and best practices. To this end, the presentation and discussion will illustrate the integration processes, strategies and creative innovations supporting evidence that the integration of the military and civilian forensic examiner program at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center has been a successful model.

Biography :

Myna Shegog received her BSN in Nursing from North Park University, Chicago, Illinois. She is currently employed by the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, where she is a valued leader and dedicated clinician. Since 16 years she is a Registered Nurse with primary practice as trauma nurse and past 7 years working as sexual assault nurse examiner/forensic nurse.