Yes, Michelle Yeasting, BSN ’17, runs the forensic nurse program for Blanchard Valley Health System in Findlay—and she also founded it.
After receiving an associate’s degree in nursing, this mother of three worked for Blanchard Health as a Sex Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), a medical professional who treats sexual assault victims and collects evidence to bring their attackers to justice.
But Michelle wanted more for her community.
“I wanted there to be nurses who treat all victims of assault, not just those sexually abused,” so she started the forensic nurse program in 2016 and enrolled in Ohio Northern University’s nursing program, receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in 2017.
Michelle says her desire to help victims of assault comes from personal experience. “I’m a survivor of violence, and my children are survivors of sexual abuse.”
Michelle’s motivation arose largely from what happened when she took her children to the hospital after her partner abused them.
“No evidence was collected, and I didn’t know what resources were available. There was no SANE nurse to process anything.”
And when she reported what had happened to her children, she was suspected of lying.
“I was in the process of separating from my partner and was told that during that process, women often make up stories about sexual abuse of their children.”
Later, however, when her daughter disclosed her own abuse to a SANE nurse, that nurse believed her—and she believed Michelle, telling her, “You’re not crazy, this is really happening.”
That validation provided momentum, and three years after separating from her partner, Michelle went back to school to study nursing.
“I was 32 years old and had intended to go to law school to help victims of abuse but then remembered the SANE nurse who believed my daughter and me and the significant role she had in our lives.”
Michelle researched domestic violence and decided nursing was the way she wanted to help. She became a nurse and then a SANE. Several years later, she started the forensic nurse program and received her Bachelor of Science degree at ONU.
“Now, any time a medical provider sees victims of crimes, we are a consult for the emergency room. The victims can be anywhere in our facility. We take a history of the assault, do a head-to-toe assessment, look for injuries, take photos of those injuries and document them in a patient’s chart.”
Blanchard Valley employs 12 forensic nurses and uses kits from the Ohio Department of Health to enable them to collect evidence, which can then be used in court.
The work is rewarding, she says.
“Like the SANE nurse who believed me years ago, I tell mothers that I believe them. I can empathize with the victims.”
She’s also committed to future nurses and the victims they will help. Every year, she plays a leading role in a simulation exercise at ONU to teach students about trauma-informed care.
“It’s a two-hour program, and we simulate what we’d do for a patient in the ER, including documenting injuries and talking with patients and with the police.”
She and her daughter also give talks throughout the region.
One reason Michelle remains dedicated to ONU is that her alma mater made it possible for her to further her education.
“I had a hybrid experience, which allowed me to get my BSN without disrupting my family. I didn’t have to go on campus; ONU instructors came to the hospital to provide classes. They saw my passion for forensic nursing and helped me get to where I am today.”
That she is recognized for her commitment is evident by the many awards and honors she’s received, including Blanchard Valley Health System, Associate of the Year, 2017; International Association of Forensic Nurses Ohio Chapter, Forensic Nurse of the Year, 2018; Ohio Hospital Association, Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year, 2018 (top 5); and National Association of Social Workers Ohio Chapter, Public Citizen of the Year, 2019.
She also has served in a leadership capacity for several organizations, including co-chair of the Sexual Assault Advisory Board of Ohio; chair of the Northwest Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition, Hancock County; and president of the Ohio Chapter of the International Association of Forensic Nurses.
Michelle deeply appreciates where she is today. And, though it’s nice to be recognized for her work, helping assault victims remains her passion. “I want to continue to give back to my community and to help as many people as I can.”