Two Oswego Health Registered Nurses Step Up and Receive Training To Assist Victims of Sexual Assault

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                 Contact: Jamie Leszczynski
                                                                                                                                                (315) 349-5601
                                                                                                                                                [email protected]      

Two Oswego Health Registered Nurses Step Up and Receive Training
To Assist Victims of Sexual Assault 

(Oswego, NY – December 7, 2021) “Every 73 seconds, someone in America is sexually assaulted”. An alarming statistic provided by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network that motivated two Oswego Health Registered Nurses to seek additional training to be able to assist their community.

On a typical shift, you’d find Rachel Herrmann, BSN, RN, and Chrissy Smith, BSN RN, both delivering babies in the Maternity Department at Oswego Hospital, until recently when they both decided to pursue adult/adolescent Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) training through St. Peter’s Health Partners.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) are registered nurses who have completed specialized education and clinical preparation in the medical forensic care of a patient who has experienced sexual assault or abuse.  

The first SANE programs began in the mid-1970s in response to inadequate or unprofessional treatment received by sexual assault victims who sought medical treatment and forensic evidence collection exams. There are SANE programs nationwide and locally in Oswego County, SANE nurses work with SAF (Services to Aid Families) through Operation Oswego County, who provide rape advocates and assistance for assault victims.

“I am beyond proud of Rachel and Chrissy for stepping up and wanting to receive this critically necessary training to help anyone facing such a traumatic time in their lives,” shared Jessica Leaf, RN, Director of Women’s Services.

If a person or someone they know is a victim or survivor of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, or stalking, call the SAF Crisis Hotline at (315) 342-1600.

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About Oswego Health:
The mission of Oswego Health is to provide accessible, quality care and improve the health of residents throughout Oswego County. As a nonprofit healthcare system that was established in 1881, Oswego Health is proud to continue to be one of Oswego County’s largest employers. More than 1,200 employees spread throughout its 17 locations, work for the Oswego Health system, which includes the 164-bed community Oswego Hospital, Oswego Hospital, a 28-bed psychiatric acute-care facility with multiple outpatient behavioral health service locations, The Manor at Seneca Hill, a 120-bed skilled nursing facility, and Springside at Seneca Hill, an independent retirement community.  The health system also operates Oswego Health Home Care, the only hospital-based certified home healthcare agency in the County as well as two outpatient centers, including the Fulton Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, physical therapy, and occupational health services; and the Central Square Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, and physical therapy services. In addition, Oswego Health includes the Oswego Health captive professional corporation, Physician Care P.C., providing physician services in orthopedics, cardiology, ENT, urology, gastroenterology, breast care, audiology, general surgery, bariatrics, and primary care. For more information about Oswego Health, please visit our website  www.oswegohealth.org.