Katrina Brown, MSN, RN, CEN, SANE, is the recipient of a 2024 American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Nurse of the Year Award. Brown received the award for the category of Structural Empowerment at this year’s ANCC National Magnet Conference and ANCC Pathway to Excellence Conference.
Brown is a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) and clinical nurse in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Vanderbilt University Hospital (VUH). She has dedicated her career to transforming care for victims of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. Her influence spans across disciplines and has significantly changed the care that victims of sexual assault receive at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and throughout the state.
Magnet Nurse of the Year awards recognize the outstanding contributions of clinical nurses in each of the five Magnet model components: Transformational Leadership; Structural Empowerment; Exemplary Professional Practice; New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements; and Empirical Outcomes.
As one of VUMC’s first SANE nurses, Brown led the establishment of a highly respected SANE program, empowering clinical nurses to improve access to and quality of care for vulnerable populations.
“Katrina has made history as the first Vanderbilt nurse to receive this honor. She is truly deserving of this recognition. Her work has had a profound impact on the community and the patients we serve,” said Karen Keady, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, System Chief Nursing Officer for VUMC.
Under Brown’s leadership VUMC has been instrumental in expanding access for SANE services throughout Middle Tennessee. Before VUMC’s SANE program was created in June 2018, Nashville General Hospital was the only Nashville location offering SANE services. Now, VUMC is one of several local options where a specially trained nurse can examine victims of sexual assault.
Brown’s efforts to uphold professional standards have shaped SANE training at VUMC and across the broader community. Her patient-centered approach to care has garnered accolades, and she recently secured a Department of Justice grant to expand the program across Middle Tennessee.
She is now working to launch Tennessee’s first comprehensive Forensic Nurse Examiner program to improve patient outcomes. Recognized as a trusted forensic nursing expert, she is also collaborating with other agencies to develop local protocols for response to patients seeking care following sexual assault, intimate partner violence, strangulation and human trafficking.
“Katrina is a remarkable nurse who has dedicated her career to changing the landscape of care for victims of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. Her work empowers other nurses to expertly impact the care of vulnerable populations,” said Robin Steaban, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer for VUH. “This award recognizes her exemplary performance, exceeding the Magnet standards of structural empowerment.”
In 2023, VUMC’s SANEs cared for 141 patients, up from 84 patients in 2022. Through October 2024, the team has completed an additional 138 exams at the main campus, 21 exams at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital, and 12 exams between Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital and Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital. Additionally, they have conducted 33 isolated strangulation exams this year. In addition to performing exams, they help connect patients with resources, including those in intimate partner violence or human trafficking populations, offer advice on preventing sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and ensure patients have access to emergency contraception.
Brown’s work extends beyond the walls of VUH. She works closely with the Nashville Office of Family Safety, where she acts as health care representation on various multidisciplinary teams and partners in providing training and education to a variety of service providers who care for this patient population.
Brown is a member of the International Association of Forensic Nurses’ (IAFN) Government Affairs Committee, president of the Tennessee Chapter of IAFN, member of the Nashville-Davidson county’s Sexual Assault Response Team, Interpersonal Violence Taskforce and chair of the Medical Subcommittee of the Interpersonal Violence Taskforce. She has developed a strong partnership with the Nashville District Attorney’s chief prosecutor for sexual assault producing improvements in the prosecution of perpetrators of sexual assault. In October, she was also invited to be a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Academy Standards Board – Forensic Nursing Consensus Body.
The Magnet Recognition Program® recognizes health care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence, and innovations in professional nursing practice. Consumers rely on the Magnet® designation as the ultimate credential for high-quality nursing. Developed by ANCC, Magnet is the leading source of successful nursing practices and strategies worldwide.
