TAMIU SANE Program Graduate Completes Certification
A nurse enrolled in Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) Family Nurse Practitioner program has completed the University’s Dual Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program and earned her Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Certified Adult/Adolescent–Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (CA-CP SANE) certification on an accelerated timeline of six months.
Galilea Gaytán learned about the TAMIU SANE Program while attending a presentation by local Dual Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Jonathan Martínez Calderón.
Inspired by the profound impact sexual assault nurses have on the lives of survivors, she pursued the Dual SANE certification pathway to serve all populations, pediatric, adolescent, and adult, and completed the rigorous program in an accelerated timeframe.
The CA-CP SANE certification prepares nurses to provide care to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Gaytán said mentorship played a key role in her experience.
“I am sincerely grateful for the guidance and support I received during my journey to earning my SANE certification,” Gaytán said, “The knowledge, encouragement and shared experience from my mentor prepared me for the process and built my confidence.”
She added, “Having someone who truly cares about both professional growth and patient advocacy made a lasting impact on me, and I will carry those lessons with me as I move forward in this role.”
Dr. Robert Morán, principal investigator and director of the TAMIU-SANE Program, extended gratitude to the SANEs and local and external partners who mentor and support nurses throughout their certification journey.
Dr. Marivic Torregosa, co-principal investigator, said the program prepares nurses to provide trauma-informed care and helps develop future trainees.
“Galilea’s achievement reflects the spirit of excellence, service, and mentorship that defines our program,” Torregosa said, “Our SANEs and SANE trainees not only provide compassionate, trauma-informed care to survivors, but also inspire and guide the next generation of nurses who are called to this important work.”
Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, the TAMIU-SANE Program was established in 2018 to increase the number of certified forensic nurses across South Texas.
The program includes a mentor-preceptor network in which experienced SANEs support certified SANEs, who in turn mentor trainees. The structure is designed to expand training opportunities and support the development of forensic nursing services in the region.
Through this network, trainees gain clinical experience locally and externally. Hospitals that previously lacked certified SANEs and medical forensic equipment are able to provide trauma-informed care while supporting training efforts.
Those interested in applying to the SANE program can do so at https://www.tamiu.edu/conhs/sane/index.shtml.
For more information about the program contact Program Manager María del Rosario Benavides at 956.326.2575 or maria.benavides@tamiu.edu
Funding acknowledgment
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under grant number 2 T96HP32498-07-00, Advanced Nurse Education–Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS or the U.S. government.
