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Wellness Center Adds Sexual Assault Exams to Services

Nurse Practitioner Nicole L’Heureux MSN, APNP, recently completed the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) course, making her the second SANE clinician in Door County and at the Wellness Center of Door County to provide this service for victims of sexual assault in our community. L’Heureux joins Wellness Center Executive Director and Nurse Practitioner, Michele Geiger-Bronsky MSN, APNP, who has been performing these exams for over a year.

SANE training enhances the provision of compassionate care and the crucial collection of forensic evidence in an appropriate manner. Collaboration on behalf of the victim(s) between the Sexual Assault Center, the Wellness Center and law enforcement enhances the chance for prosecution and conviction as warranted.

Completion of this training by L’Heureux was funded through the Ruth Endowment of Bay View Lutheran Church and other restricted donations. Some of these donations were utilized in the acquisition of a high quality digital camera and other medical equipment for photographic documentation.

Since November 2007 there have been more than five sexual assault cases reported within Door County. Sexual assault victims often interact with the HELPLine, law enforcement, the local emergency room or the Sexual Assault Center as their first point of contact. Victims are given the choice to receive an exam by a SANE nurse/program at either St. Vincent’s Hospital or the Wellness Center.

Funding for the Wellness Center of Door County, located at 312 N. 5th Avenue in Sturgeon Bay is provided through patient fees, private and corporate donations and Wisconsin Family Planning grant dollars. For further information, to request a presentation, or to schedule an appointment please call 920.746.9444. Information can also be viewed at http://www.wellnesscenterofdoorcounty.com