Jessica Clayton has been a registered nurse for 20+ years and a SANE since 2013. She has worked in a critical access hospital in Iowa for almost 20 years doing an array of different types of nursing which includes being the SANE coordinator, SART leader, and am a Medical Examiner-I for the county, amongst many other things. Prior to working in Iowa, Jessica worked in OB in Green Bay, WI and ortho trauma in Rochester, MN. She has experience with both rural and urban SANE work. She was employed with Hennepin County Hospital for over 4 years starting off as a casual forensic nurse transitioning to a SANE educator. She is part of the Iowa Attorney General's State SART advisory board helping change regulations for programs throughout the state representing the rural nurses. She is a certified SANE-A, SANE-P, and GFN-C. She is a mom to three and a grandma to two. She loves riding her motorcycle when she can. 

Lillie has been a nurse for almost 2 decades while currently working  for Regions Hospital as a Charge Nurse on a Progressive Care Unit specializing in Heart & Vascular Care while also practicing as a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) out of the Regions Hospital Emergency Department since 2021.  Lillie is fascinated with working in this profession as it provides her with a renewed sense of knowing that she is committed to making a positive difference in victims' lives. She is passionate about advocating for her patients, providing resources and thrives on overcoming very difficult challenges or situations, while educating those in her community. Lillie has been a member of the International Association of Forensic Nursing and MN Chapter since 2021, in 2023 Lillie became President Elect for the MN Chapter. Lillie also enjoys spending time with her two daughters and her extended family/friends. 

Melissa Jackson has practiced as a Registered Nurse since 2008, caring for patients in both bedside and ambulatory care roles in Washington State and Minnesota. In 2016 she began work as a SANE with Regions Hospital SANE Program in St. Paul, Minnesota. In addition to this role, she enjoys instructing at SANE-A courses and clinical skills labs, as well as providing education to community partners on the role of the SANE, medical forensic exams and non-fatal strangulation. She began a new role with Regions in 2022 as Supervisor of the SANE program, where she supports an exceptional team of nurses.    

Wendy Kastelic-Berger is a dedicated Registered Nurse with a robust educational background and 28 years of rich experience in a variety of nursing specialties, including Medical Surgical, OB-GYN, Reproductive Endocrinology, and Forensic Nursing. Her extensive skill set is complemented by her commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care, particularly in high-stress situations where empathy and expertise are paramount.

Currently, Wendy is growing in her role with the STARS program at the University of Milwaukee, where she has been instrumental in implementing a comprehensive Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) training program. This initiative aims to equip nurses with the essential skills needed to provide compassionate and informed care to victims, exemplifying Wendy's commitment to continuous education and professional development within the nursing field.

In addition to her work at the STARS program, Wendy is also actively involved in the ReLab UMN STEER Mentorship program at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul. Here, she dedicates her time to providing one-on-one SANE mentorship as well as facilitating group topic discussions. Her mentoring approach is rooted in fostering a supportive environment where emerging nurses can thrive and grow in their practice.

Wendy's passion for patient advocacy is further demonstrated through her ongoing role at Aurora Healing & Advocacy Services in Milwaukee, where she has been serving since 2013. In this capacity, she works as a Registered Nurse and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, offering patient-guided care to individuals affected by sexual assault. Her trauma-informed approach not only addresses the immediate medical needs of her patients but also recognizes the psychological impact of their experiences, ensuring that they feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout their healing journey.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Wendy is an active alumna of UWM-Milwaukee and enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. An avid tennis player, she finds joy and balance on the court, where she channels her energetic spirit and competitive nature. Wendy's vibrant personality and commitment to nursing make her a valuable asset to every team she is a part of.

 

Susan Kolar is a Registered Nurse at Saint Mary’s Hospital Emergency Department in Rochester, Minnesota. Prior to her work in the Emergency Department, she worked as a Registered Nurse in the Medical Intensive Care Unit and the Hematology/Oncology/Blood Marrow Transplant unit. In conjunction with her role as an Emergency Department nurse, Kolar has been a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner since 2016. She received her SANE-A certification in 2021. She is an active member of the International Association of Forensic Nurses (national and local chapters) and the Academy of Forensic Nursing. 

Alison Lopez, RN, SANE-A has practiced as a Forensic Nurse Examiner for 17 years at Aurora Healing and Advocacy Services in Milwaukee, a hospital based comprehensive care model. She is currently a member of the on-site nursing team which provides trauma informed care to survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence and human trafficking. In 2020, Alison became a member of the SANE seminar faculty for the Wisconsin Department of Justice medical forensics program. In addition to forensic nursing, Alison has 26 years of nursing experience in an Emergency Department setting. She began as a staff nurse and spent the last 13 years as an Emergency Department RN Case Manager. In 2021, Alison decided to shift her focus strictly to forensic nursing as she has found it to be her passion. Throughout her career, Alison has been involved in many multidisciplinary initiatives focused on improving the overall response to individuals that have been impacted by violence.

Mei is a passionate Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) dedicated to fostering
compassionate, evidence-based care for survivors of all ages. As the SANE Coordinator for the
state of Oregon, Mei strives to support fellow examiners, uplift survivors, and address the
disparities within medical forensic care and the SANE community. Mei holds dual IAFN
certifications in Pediatrics and Adult/Adolescent, reinforcing her commitment to serving survivors
throughout the lifespan and maintaining high standards of care.
Since starting her nursing journey in 2013, Mei has gained experience in a variety of acute care,
emergency, and community-based settings, prioritizing trauma-informed principles and providing
unwavering support to those impacted by violence. She collaborates with entities such as
Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC), Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART), and Domestic
Violence Councils (DVC), bringing a multidisciplinary approach to survivor support and
advocacy.
In addition to her current role, Mei has served as an instructor, a member of the SANE
Certification Commission, and co-chair of the Medical Forensic Committee. These roles have
deepened her understanding of the challenges faced by SANEs and underscored the
importance of mentorship, ongoing education, and robust program development.

Linda Walther is the Clinical Coordinator for the Statewide Medical Forensic Policy Program SVJI@MNCASA. She has over 40 years of nursing experience and has been a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner for 15 years. Currently, Walther is a SANE with the Regions Hospital SANE team.  She provides training on the medical forensic exams for hospitals and coordinates SANE trainings in Minnesota.  

Andrea Ward-Wiley has been a registered nurse for 14 years and forensic nurse for 13 yeares. She started both her nursing and forensic nursing career as an active duty commissioned officer in the Navy Nurse Corps. After her service, Andrea has worked in many diverse nursing roles to include leadership and staff positions in four different states and in Japan. Currently, she is a teleSANE consultant with Tex-TRAC through Texas A&M University's Center of Excellence in Forensic Nursing. Andrea is excited to be a mentor and build relationships with other SANEs. The Re LAB SANE Mentorship Program at the University of Minnesota's School of Nursing will add a fifth state to her wide-ranging nursing background. 

Sarah Hoffman is an assistant professor in the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. She studies intergenerational trauma in war-affected families and the longitudinal health effects of trauma from torture and war. Prior to her appointment at the University, Sarah served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Africa, a human rights intern in South America, and a nurse on the inpatient unit of the Johns Hopkins Hospital AIDS service. In conjunction with her faculty position at the University, Sarah is a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. She teaches and advises in the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs at the School and serves as an affiliate faculty member to the Master of Human Rights program.