As an emergency room nurse in 1993, Rachel Cortez saw and treated patients of all ages who came in after an experience with sexual violence. Since then, she has made it her life’s work to improve the lives of those who have been sexually assaulted and has advocated for change during her 26 years of forensic nursing.
Cortez has expanded Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner policies and training for Glendale-based Ascension Wisconsin. In 2018, the system created a 24/7 Mobile Sexual Assault Treatment Center. A team of SANE nurses can now aid a patient in need, within 60 minutes of entering any Ascension facility in southeastern Wisconsin. Forensic nurses in the SANE program have treated about 2,000 patients over the past five years.
“She has also advocated for SANE policies and practices throughout the state and nationally, including her work with the Healthcare Collaborative Against Sex Trafficking with Milwaukee County to improve health equity for patients impacted by sex trafficking at acute and primary care centers,” said Kristin McManmon, president of Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine.
