TAMIU-SANE Program Hosts Summer Boot Camp for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Trainees
Texas A&M International University's (TAMIU) Summer Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Boot Camp is underway, bringing together nurses and multidisciplinary professionals for advanced forensic nursing training.
Held July 16-24 at TAMIU and at the Webb County Justice Center, the boot camp is part of TAMIU's Advanced Nursing Education SANE Program, which prepares nurses to provide specialized medical forensic care for survivors of sexual violence. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety's 2024 Crime Report, Texas recorded more than 15,000 reported rape offenses statewide in 2024, underscoring the need for coordinated, trauma-informed responses.
The boot camp launched with support from TAMIU leadership and community partners, including the Webb County Sheriff's Department, Serving Children and Adults in Need (SCAN), Casa de Misericordia, the Children's Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County, Adult Protective Services Region 11, the Webb County Crime Lab and the Webb County District Attorney's Office. Representing TAMIU's Office of the President were Andrew LaPlant, chief of staff, and Dr. Claudia San Miguel, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.
Participants receive instruction from multidisciplinary professionals, including Dr. Glenda Walker, R.N.; Cynthia Garcia, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CA-CP, SANE, AFN-C, SANE-P; Araceli Peña, CA-CP, SANE; Jonathan Martínez Calderón, BSN, RN, CA-CP, SANE; Francisco Flores, BSN, RN, CA-CP, SANE; Jorge Ortiz, BSN, RN, CA-CP, SANE; Janie Diaz; Lisa Sosa; and Lara Wright.
Together, these professionals provide trainees with clinical, forensic, and community-based perspectives essential to developing confident and skilled Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. A central goal of the boot camp is to reinforce that the sexual violence response requires shared responsibility across professions. SANEs often serve as an important connection between survivors, healthcare systems, advocacy services, and investigative processes, helping ensure care remains patient-centered while supporting appropriate documentation and follow-up.
Dr. Robert Morán, principal investigator of the TAMIU-SANE Program, said the training prepares nurses to navigate the medical and legal systems that survivors often encounter.
"Sexual violence cases rarely involve a single system. Survivors often interact with healthcare providers, advocates, law enforcement, child welfare agencies, prosecutors, and the courts," he said, "This boot camp helps nurses understand how those systems intersect and prepares them to serve as critical connectors across the response. Our goal is to ensure nurses are confident in both the medical and legal dimensions of forensic practice and understand the importance of coordinated community response."
Dr. Marivic Torregosa, co-principal investigator of the TAMIU-SANE Program, said the program strengthens nursing practice while improving care for survivors.
"Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners provide essential trauma-informed care, ensure accurate and objective documentation, and connect survivors with critical resources and services," she said, "Through advanced training and multidisciplinary collaboration, this program prepares nurses to improve outcomes for survivors while strengthening the systems that support them."
The boot camp concludes July 24 with a SANE Mock Trial at the 49th District Court, Webb County Justice Center, hosted with the support of Judge Joe López. Participants will practice courtroom testimony and gain experience presenting medical forensic findings in legal proceedings.
Throughout the training experience, participants will strengthen the skills in trauma-informed care, forensic assessment and documentation, evidence collection, expert witness testimony, and collaborative practice. This preparation supports the continued growth of the forensic nursing workforce and strengthens survivor-centered responses to sexual violence throughout the region.
For additional information about the TAMIU-SANE Program, contact Program Manager Maria Del Rosario Benavides at maria.benavides@tamiu.edu or 956-326-2575.
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number 2T96HP32498-07-00, Advanced Nurse Education Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program (TAMIU SANE Project), for a grant amount of $1.47 million. This information and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.
