Donor's Generosity Fuels Expanded Services for Sexual Assault Survivors

Carrollton, GA - N. Jane McCandless, Ph.D., has generously donated to Tanner Health Foundation to fund the training of five additional Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) within Tanner Health.

With this contribution, the SANE program can now expand its reach, increasing the total number of SANEs within the system to seven. These professionals deliver culturally sensitive, developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed and patient-centered care. SANEs are specially trained to offer comprehensive and compassionate specialized support to survivors of sexual assault, making them an increasingly vital component of emergency departments (EDs).

McCandless has long been committed to addressing sexual violence and supporting survivors.

"My first real introduction into the issue of sexual violence was when, as a young assistant professor, I was invited to sit on the board of directors for a rape crisis center," said McCandless. "My clearest memory was learning about the staggering number of women and children assaulted every day. At that time, there was no conversation about sexual violence against men, but this early experience sparked a lifelong dedication to support all victims of sexual assault."

McCandless worked alongside the community to create the Carroll Rape Crisis Center - now known as the Prevention and Advocacy Resource Center (PARC). She served as the chair of the center's board of directors, and this vital resource continues to provide much-needed services.

"I cannot think of a better way to maintain my commitment to helping victims of sexual assault than to provide the seed money for the SANE program at Tanner Health, which I am convinced will serve as a model for others in our region," said McCandless. "SANEs are critical in providing care for both adults and children immediately following an assault. They are trained for moments when others may not know what to do or say, making their role absolutely vital."

Brooke Cornell, RN, emergency department SANE lead at Tanner Health, emphasized the staggering reality revealed by national data: according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), someone in the United States is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. This sobering statistic highlights the urgent need for awareness, support and action to address the widespread impact of sexual violence.

"Most of these victims are women who are 18 to 34 years old," said Cornell. "Dr. McCandless's gift will have the greatest impact on the futures of young women in our community. Having a forensic nurse available 24/7 will provide our community with the highest level of care for sexual assault victims. We will be forever grateful for her kindness, encouragement and support, and we look forward to building a program that serves our community for generations to come."

To be certified as a SANE, a nurse must hold a degree, work in a healthcare facility for two years and attend special courses that teach them how to provide compassionate, specialized care for survivors of sexual violence.

"We are deeply grateful to Dr. Jane McCandless for her generous donation," said Michelle Hoehn, DNP, NE-BC, CMSRN, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Tanner Health. "This remarkable gift will significantly enhance our ability to care for our patients, strengthening our commitment to fostering a safe, supportive and healing environment for survivors. Dr. McCandless's generosity will make a lasting impact on Tanner and the communities we serve, and we are truly honored by her dedication to this critical cause."

For more on how you can support the Tanner Health Foundation, visit https://www.tanner.org/tanner-foundation.