Each year, the American Nurses Association (ANA)recognizes nurse innovators whose novel approaches improve patient care and health outcomes and also recognizes them for their sustainability and scalability in U.S. markets. Sheridan Miyamoto, associate professor in the Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, is the recipient of the ANA's 2025 Innovation Award for her work to develop and implement SAFE-T System, a health care model to help victims of sexual assault get the care they need to heal and recover after trauma and avoid the long-term negative health consequences associated with sexual assault.
Laurie Badzek, dean of the Nese College of Nursing, describes Miyamoto as “a visionary leader who couples technological advancements with the needs of some of the most vulnerable patients. The SAFE-T System ensures that victims are respected and empowered so that agency can be restored, and recovery begins immediately. SAFE-T System should be expanded to every state in the country.”
While 1 in 5 people are victims of sexual assault each year, even fewer seek the health services they need because fear and stigma persist. And when they do seek help, they may find themselves at a hospital without specialists dedicated to trauma care. SAFE-T System is leading the way in Pennsylvania by supporting hospitals to provide the best care either with on-site trained clinicians or through a telehealth network that gives both patients and staff the confidence that they are providing state-of-the-art medical and forensic care. SAFE-T System also has developed proprietary means to improve and safely archive photographic documentation of injuries should a victim seek judicial pathways to healing.
In communities where SAFE-T System has been implemented, the rates of victims seeking help has increased. In 2023, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Act 59to increase access and availability of trained nurses throughout the state to care for victims of sexual assault, all based on the success of the SAFE-T System.
Additional background
SAFE-T System was launched in 2017 with support from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime.
The impacts of SAFE-T System’s innovative model are profound, from providing access in rural and underserved populations to increases in retention of the nursing workforce at hospitals that care for survivors.
Hospitals often face a multitude of challenges in providing top-tier care to survivors, especially those who serve rural communities. Despite higher rates of sexual assault, rural hospitals see a lesser number of survivors seeking care and often struggle to attract and retain sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs). SAFE-T System bridges the gap by empowering rural hospitals to better serve their communities.
Peer-to-peer support between the onsite clinician and TeleSANE leads to a supportive environment for the onsite clinician, reducing burnout and overwhelm. Additionally, SAFE-T System offers health care providers, especially nurses, SANE training, mentoring and quality assurance.
Not only does the SAFE-T System model address survivors’ needs at the point of care, but it also embraces a multidisciplinary approach by connecting survivors with law enforcement, local advocacy groups and child welfare groups. When implemented, SAFE-T System’s comprehensive model transforms sexual assault care, positioning survivors on the path to emotional, mental and physical healing.
SAFE-T System’s nurse-led team is championed by Miyamoto, an expert in pediatric, adolescent and adult sexual assault. She is a family nurse practitioner with more than 20 years of experience in the development and dissemination of telehealth to enhance access to high-quality forensic sexual assault care. A Penn State Social Science Research Institute co-funded faculty member, Miyamoto is a fellow of the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship Program for Nurse Leaders and Innovators as well as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.
Caring for victims of sexual assault requires highly specialized skills, and SAFE-T System’s TeleSANEs are based throughout the U.S. They all maintain active nursing licensure in both their home state and the state where they provide telehealth support. They are board-certified by the International Association of Forensic Nurses (SANE-A or SANE-P) and have passed a comprehensive background check.
Additional members of Miyamoto’s team include Cynthia Bittner, assistant director; Thomas Rodgers, director of operational technology; Jeff Kline, director of sustainability and business development; Alessandro Gubbini, director of product development; Jon Essick, IT manager; Katherine Veerhusen, clinical coordinator; Abigail Ho, clinical coordinator; Ian Spears, IT associate; Jen Delwiche, research associate; Jocelyn Delgado, research project manager; and Marsha M. Freije, outreach program specialist. Serving as SAFE-T TeleSANEs are Elizabeth Serpas, Meredith Pheasant, Ashley Balcombe, Susan Kanack, Tiffany Weina, Jessica Birbeck, Caitlin Yerkes, Carrie Smith, Valorie Prulhiere and Sandy Steblin. SAFE-T System advisers include Jim Pietropaolo, business development adviser; Heather Young, business adviser; and Connie Mitchell, policy adviser.
Learn more about SAFE-T System and its innovative patient-care model.