NUMC DESIGNATED AS A 24-HOUR SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAMINER CENTER OF EXCELLENCE BY NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DEMONSTRATING NUMC’S COMMITMENT TO SERVING SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS AND PROVIDING THEM WITH COMPETENT, COMPASSIONATE AND PROMPT CARE
June 30, 2008
Contact: Shelley Lotenberg
(516) 572-6055
shelley@numc.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NUMC DESIGNATED AS A 24-HOUR SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAMINER CENTER OF EXCELLENCE BY NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DEMONSTRATING NUMC’S COMMITMENT TO SERVING SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS AND PROVIDING THEM WITH COMPETENT, COMPASSIONATE AND PROMPT CARE
NUMC TO PROVIDE TRAINED EXAMINERS AND SPECIALIZED SERVICES, INCLUDING PROPER COLLECTION OF FORENSIC EVIDENCE
East Meadow, New York…..Arthur A. Gianelli, President/CEO of the Nassau Health Care Corporation, announced that the Nassau University Medical Center has been designated as a 24-hour Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Center of Excellence by the New York State Department of Health.
“This designation as a SAFE Center of Excellence demonstrates NUMC’s commitment to serving sexual assault victims and providing them needed services with compassion, caring and in a prompt manner,” said Mr. Gianelli.
Upon informing NUMC officials, in a letter dated June 16, 2008, of the state’s approval of the SAFE Center of Excellence, New York State Department of Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, MD stated: “Congratulations on this achievement. We applaud the leadership that you have shown in this important health- care area, and the commitment that you have demonstrated to serving sexual assault victims. We appreciate all of the work your hospital staff has contributed to this process. We look forward to a continued working relationship, as we strive to ensure that victims of sexual assault are provided with competent, compassionate, and prompt care, as well as the most current methods of forensic evidence collection and preservation.”
The Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Hospital Program at NUMC has been certified by the Department of Health as a site of 24-hour Sexual Assault Forensic Examination services. This facility has offered proof of ability to provide trained examiners and services to meet all standards for provision of these specialized services to patients who have experienced rape or sexual assault, including proper collection of forensic evidence, meeting all New York state criteria and current standards of practice. The program certification is effective as of May 16, 2008.
Lorraine Cashin, NYSAFE, Director of the SAFE Center of Excellence at NUMC and certified by the New York State Department of Health as the preceptor and lead person in this initiative, said: “This is a very much needed service for the communities that we serve. It has been a goal for quite some time and we are all glad that we can offer sexual assault victims a safe and confidential place to receive appropriate forensic care in conjunction with advocacy and much needed medical and psychological care.”
For additional information, please contact Lorraine Cashin, NYSAFE, at 516-572-5277.
