SANE Adult & Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Expert Witness

SUMMARY

As a Registered Nurse, I began performing sexual assault forensic medical exams in 2004. I obtained formal training in 2009 and have since spear-headed the opening of two separate sexual assault programs. At the present I work as a Family Nurse Practitioner a mobile medical group, Adjunct Professor at United States University Nurse Practitioner Program, as well as provide expert consulting to Defense Attorneys in multiple states and counties. I am qualified as an expert in court and have been qualified by the Los Angeles County Expert Panel. In addition to consulting, I have provided training to the LA County Public Defender’s office in interpreting sexual assault examinations and working with experts.

EDUCATION

SOUTH UNIVERSITY – 2017
Masters in Science and Nursing (MSN)
Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Honors Sigma Theta Tau International

WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY – 2015
Bachelors in Science and Nursing (BSN)
Honors Society Member
Salt Lake City, UT

RICHLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE – 2004
Associates in Applied Science and Nursing (AAS)
Honors Phi Theta Kappa 2003-2004
Decatur, IL

DECATUR AREA SCHOOL OF PRACTIAL NURSING – 2000
Licensed Practical Nurse
Decatur, IL

DECATUR PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL – 1997
H.S. Diploma
Decatur, IL

EXPERIENCE

ADJUNCT FACULTY PROFESSOR 9/22 – CURRENT
United States University, FNP Program
San Diego, CA

NURSE PRACTITIONER  8/22 – CURRENT
Geiss Med
Orange, CA
Provide in home care for residents of Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities

FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER 2/19-8/22
Atiga Family Practice
Murrieta, CA

• Provide primary medical care to underserved populations of all ages.
• Serve as a preceptor to Nurse Practitioner Students

FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER – 2017-2019
Community Healthy Systems, Inc
Fallbrook, CA

• Provide primary medical care to underserved populations of all ages.

DETOX INTAKE SPECIALIST – 4/18-2/2020
Integrated Health
Newport Beach, CA

• Telemedicine intake and follow up assessments for patients who are in rehab treatment facilities.

FORENSIC NURSE CONSULTANT 08/16-CURRENT

• Consolidated Consultants (Chula Vista, CA)
• Independent Consulting (Private)
• Independent consultant for expert testimony in cases of sexual and physical abuse of adults and
• Review reports and photo documentation and render and opinion regarding the findings.

FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER – 2/18-8/19
A Plus Urgent Care
Murrieta, CA

• Provide urgent assessment and care for patients with acute illness/injury.

SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TEAM 03/2012-11/2017
Rancho Springs Medical Center
Murrieta Ca

• Program Coordinator of Forensic Nursing Program (Including but not limited to): Recruitment and hiring of Forensic Nurses, scheduling and education. Collaboration with Law Enforcement and local Rape Crisis Advocacy to ensure best patient practices. Coordinate budgets, supply ordering, contracts with local police agencies, medical follow up and rape crisis.
• Coordinate Multi-Disciplinary Team monthly meetings within Southwest Riverside County
• Built and maintain all operations for satellite Sexual Assault Response Team program at Hemet Valley Medical Center, Hemet CA (May 2015)
• As part of the team I perform exams on survivors of sexual assault and molestation including evidence collection, forensic photography and interview, provide expert witness testimony as needed

CONTRACT STAFF NURSE, CAMP PENDLETON NAVAL HOSPTIAL 02/2012-10/2015
Oceanside Ca

• Provide primary care to an assigned group of patients of all ages on the Multi-Service Ward and Emergency Department

EMERGENCY ROOM REGISTERED NURSE – 2004-2012
Decatur Memorial Hospital
Decatur IL

Care for a diverse population of all ages and medical issues, including Sexual Assault
Rancho Springs Medical Center Emergency Department 2012- Current

SEXUAL ASSAULT COORDINATOR

Decatur Memorial Hospital Decatur IL – 2009-2012

Coordinated the operations of up to 5 Sexual Assault Nurse examiners in an Emergency Care setting

• Established bi-monthly SANE meetings
• Performed Case Review on all SANE cases
• Maintained a locked secure room for SANE equipment, charts, and photographs
• Collaborated with local Law Enforcement and Advocacy, court testimony

MACON COUNTY SEXUAL ASSULT RESPONSE TEAM COORDINATOR
2009-2012
MACON COUNTY, IL

• Coordinated a community meeting bi-monthly to address the concerns of Sexual Assault
• Encouraged Team Building and relationship building. Members included States Attorney,
• Advocacy, Child Protective Services, Police, Detectives, Crime Lab, Domestic Violence, and Victim Witness

SANE PEDIATRIC TRAINING November 2014
Murrieta, CA
40 hour-Didactic course of the care of Pediatric Sexual Assault Victims <12 years old

SANE PEDIATRIC TRAINING
Bloomington, IL April – 2010
24-hour Didactic course on the Care of Pediatric Sexual Assault Victims <13yrs old

SANE ADULT TRAINING
Peoria, IL May – 2009
40-hour Didactic course on the Care of Adult/Adolescent Sexual Assault Victims >13yrs old

EMERGENCY ROOM LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE 2001-2004
Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur IL

Assumed care of a variety of patients with wide range of health problems // Assisted RN with Sexual Assault patients

MEMBERSHIPS

Academy of Forensic Nurses
AANP (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners)
Expert IQ

SEMINAR ATTENDENCE

• Medical Aspects of Child Abuse Investigations – April 2010
• Overcoming Challenges to Successfully Investigate & Prosecute Sexual Assault Training – May 2010
• Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children – June 2010
• ADVANCED SANE Course – September 2010
• Legal Update on Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault & Stalking – October 2010
• 8th Annual SANE Seminar – November 2010
• Pediatric Case Review Training – June 2011
• Complex Issues in Child Abuse Investigations – June 2011
• End Violence Against Women International Conference – April 2012
• Anti-Human Trafficking 101 – October 2012
• Maintaining the Chain of Evidence, Forensics, and Duties of a Coroner – November 2012
• CSAIA 2013 Spring Conference – March 2013
• RCRMC SART Conference- Moreno Valley CA – April 2013
• SART Summit CCFMTC – August 2013
• CSAIA Update November – 2013
• CSAIA 2014 Spring Conference – March 2014
• Annual SART Conference RCRMC – April 2014
• Child Abuse Findings Update – September 2014
• Homelessness and Sexual Assault in Teens Update – September 2014
• CSAIA 2015 Spring Conference – March 2015
• RCRMC SART Conference – April 2015
• CSAIA 2016 Spring Conference – March 2016
• RCRMC SART Conference – April 2016
• CCFMTC Forensic Photography – May 2016
• STD Clinical Update – October 2018
• Emergency and Urgent Care for the Primary Care Provider – October 2018

AWARDS
Outstanding Community Outreach for Sexual Assault – 2011 – 2011
SART Nurse of the Year – 2013

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Decatur Police Department
SANE – 2010-2011
In-service at roll-call to local law enforcement about SANE services how to handle a victim of rape

Growing Strong Sexual Assault Center
SANE – 2009-2011

• In-service to new volunteer advocates regarding hospital expectations and SANE role in caring for victims of sexual assault
• Seminars to local Law Enforcement, First Responders, EMS and California Highway Patrol – 2012- current
• Annual In-service at briefings for local Riverside Sheriff Office, Murrieta PD, and Hemet PD – 2013-current
• Presenter to the Riverside County District Attorney’s office – 2014
• Outreach to local Emergency Departments and Walk-In Clinics 2013 to current
• San Jacinto Community College- Annual all school in-service – 2013, 2015, 2016
• LA County Public Defender: Sexual Assault Exams, Explained – 4/2022

Licenses

• Family Nurse Practitioner, 2017
California
• PHN (Public Health Nurse) 2015-2019
California
• RN, 2011-Present
California

Previous Certifications

• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
• CPR
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) Expired
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) Expired
• CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse) Expired
• SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) (Adult/Pediatrics)

SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATIONS

• Performed >500 exams on victims ages 12 and older and 50+ Pediatric exams 2012-current
• Performed 200+ exams on victims all ages 2004-2012

EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY

• Presented testimony for over 50 cases of sexual assault
• Called to testify for Prosecution and Defense on > 150 case

PUBLICATIONS: Available upon request. 

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