Center of Excellence in Forensic Nursing and Indian Health Service partner to improve forensic health care

Indian Health Service (IHS), the federal agency responsible for providing health care to Native Americans and Alaska Natives, is collaborating with the Texas A&M Health Center of Excellence in Forensic Nursing on a nearly $5.5 million contract to help enhance its forensic health care activities.

The five-year contract, currently in its base year, is helping IHS ensure its providers are equipped to offer trauma-informed care to survivors of violent crimes like sexual assault and abuse, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, strangulation, human trafficking and more. The center customized its internationally recognized continuing education program to train IHS providers and is advising on local program improvements and sustainability strategies.

“All Indigenous peoples deserve access to the best forensic health care, and we applaud IHS for working to strengthen services and support in this area,” said Stacey Mitchell, DNP, director of the center and a clinical professor in the Texas A&M College of Nursing. “This collaboration means those affected by violence will have better access to trauma-informed, patient-centered care.”

Part of the center’s focus is certifying more sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) to serve in IHS’s network of hospitals, clinics and health centers, which are primarily located on or near Native American reservations and tribal lands. There is a shortage of these specially trained nurses, especially in rural areas, Mitchell said.

According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, native women in the United States are twice as likely as other races to experience sexual assault or violence.

The center will also offer general forensic health care continuing education to IHS physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses and registered nurses.

While much of the education activities are delivered virtually through a digital learning management system, the center also operates a state-of-the-art mobile simulation unit. This custom vehicle allows for site visits to conduct hands-on training and other consultation activities.

“As the IHS director, my commitment to strengthening our forensic health care services for those depending on the IHS is deeply personal,” said Roselyn Tso, director of IHS. “The pressing issue of violence calls for competent and compassionate care from health professionals who are trained to provide medical forensic care and treatment. Through this partnership, our efforts will be bolstered through trainings, education and technical assistance aimed at assisting victims of violent crimes.”

Established in 2019 to advance forensic nursing education, outreach and research, the federally and state-funded center operates in the College of Nursing.

For information on the center, visit forensic-nursing.tamu.edu.