Wisconsin Forensic Nurses
Reducing and preventing human violence requires a multidisciplinary, multidirectional approach.
About Forensic Nursing
The forensic nurse examiner represents one member of an alliance of healthcare providers, sexual assault advocates, law enforcement officials, and forensic scientists joined in a holistic approach to the study and intervention of physical, psychological, and sexual violence. This specialty of nursing expands the traditional concept of holistic practice- body, mind, spirit- to include the law.
Forensic nurses do not investigate, this function remains outside the boundaries of the nursing practice. Forensic nurse examiners rather fill voids by performing select forensic tasks in cooperation with other health and justice professionals. Forensic nursing brings to forensic medicine a perspective that historically has been absent, providing the practice with a uniquely qualified clinician who blends biomedical knowledge with an understanding of the basic principles of law and human behavior.
(Hammer et al., 2013)
Meet our Board of Directors
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Rachel Madsen, RN
PRESIDENT
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OLIVIA KENDALL, RN, SANE-A
PRESIDENT ELECT
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Mary Ellen Soltys, RN, SANE-A (She/Her/Hers)
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
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Amy Riegert, BSN, RN, SANE-A
SECRETARY
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Cary Christianson BSN, RN, SANE-A (She/Her/Hers)
TREASURER
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Lynette Volkers, MSN, RN, SANE-A
DIRECTOR AT LARGE
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Stephanie Winters Babyar, MSN, RN, CPEN, SANE-A, SANE-P (She/Her/Hers)
DIRECTOR AT LARGE
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Colleen O' Brien RN, MS, SANE-A
Board Member Emeritus
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WI IAFN Chapter Bylaws
Past Presidents:
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."
-John Quincy Adams
Mary Ellen Soltys 2024
Lynette Volkers 2023
Deanna Grundl 2022
Genevieve Kane 2021
Meghan Van Heertum 2020
Jamie Counsell 2019
Courtney Bouthilet 2018
Deanna Grundl 2017
Nicole Slusser 2016
Jackie Friar-LeCaptain 2015
Laura Kollatz 2014
Saskia Lodder 2013
Amanda Kane 2012
Laura Kollatz 2011
Jacqui Callari-Robinson 2010
Jean Coopman Jansen 2009
Hellen Kelly 2008
Jill Poarch 2007
Lisa Knepper 2006
Debra Donovan 2005
LuAnne Kratt 2004
Join our Board
The following Board of Directors positions will be available for the upcoming election in November of 2025.
President Elect: The Chapter President-Elect, shall, in the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties and have the authority and exercise the powers of the President. He or she shall perform such other duties and have such other authority and powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe or as the Chapter President may from time to time delegate.
Treasurer: The Chapter Treasurer shall ensure proper custody of - 12 - the chapter funds and securities and shall ensure full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements of the chapter are kept and shall ensure the deposit all monies and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the chapter into depositories designated by the Chapter Board of Directors. Additionally the Chapter Treasurer shall ensure the funds of the chapter are disbursed as ordered by the Chapter Board of Directors, and ensure that financial statements are prepared at such interval as the Chapter Board of Directors shall direct.
Secretary: The Chapter Secretary shall record all votes, actions and the minutes of all proceedings. The Chapter Secretary shall perform such other duties and have such other authority and powers as the Chapter Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe or as the Chapter President may from time to time delegate, as well as give notice of all meetings.
Chapter members interested in running for any of the open positions, or have any election related questions can message the WI-IAFN. Additional information may also be found in the WI-IAFN Chapter-Bylaws or by emailing wisconsiniafn@gmail.com
Honoring Those Who Led the Way
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Helen Kelly Annual Conference
The Helen Kelly Annual Forensic Conference is named after one of our leading pioneers of forensic work in Wisconsin. For more than 20 years, Helen J. Kelly was at the heart of caring for victims of sexual assault and has touched many lives in her career.
She worked as a sexual assault nurse examiner at the Sexual Assault Treatment Center at Aurora Sinai Medical Center. She also helped train forensic nurses and others in the community, including students at the Medical College of Wisconsin and recruits at the Milwaukee Police Academy.
Helen lost her battle with cancer in February of 2009. We find her spirit and devotion in all the amazing work we do today.
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Colleen O'Brien Scholarship
Yearly funding available to Wisconsin Chapter Forensic Nurses who are seeking to advance their education. Funding will be provided to attend the yearly IAFN conference, either virtually or in person.
$ 250 per year
To apply for the application, please email at Wisconsiniafn@gmail.com
You Can Partner with WI-IAFN
Your partnership will help support victims of gender based and interpersonal violence.
You can help put an end to violence and assure that individuals are provided best practice and trauma informed care as they seek assistance post assault. A small gift of $5 will help provide ongoing education and continuing development opportunities for nurses in your community who provide these services to victims of violence.
The Wisconsin Chapter recognizes the importance of collaborating, meeting, connecting, and networking in person. We feel this is vital for building strong, meaningful relationships that go beyond digital interactions. Face-to-face communication allows for the exchange of ideas in a more personal and authentic manner, fostering trust and understanding. Consider joining us for one of our in-person gatherings! Such interactions create opportunities for serendipitous encounters, which can spark new collaborations and open doors to opportunities that might not arise through emails or video calls. Ultimately, networking in person enriches professional and personal growth by strengthening bonds, fostering creativity, and creating lasting impressions.
