Hays, Kansas – HaysMed recently recognized Kirsten Schroeder, Patient Care Technician (PCT) with the PCT of the Year award.  A PCT is a vital part of the patient care team and are key in keeping processes running smoothly.  She works on the Acute Care Unit.          

Schroeder was noted for going above and beyond for patients and co-workers.  She consistently strives to provide a quality environment of care for patients and sets an example for others.

HAYS, KS – Shaley Knickerbocker, BSN, RN recently earned board Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) certifications.  Knickerboacker earned the credential of SANE-A (Adult/Adolescent), and SANE-P (Pediatric).   She is a part of the Sexual Assault Forensic Nursing program at HaysMed.

Credentialing is issued through the Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification. The earned credentials of SANE-A® and SANE-P® designate that the recipient has achieved the highest standards of forensic nursing for sexual assault nurse examiners. Nurse examiners become certified by meeting the eligibility requirements, which include 300 practice hours in the specialty, and achieving a passing score on the certification examination.

A forensic nurse is a nurse who provides specialized care for patients who are victims and/or perpetrators of trauma (both intentional and unintentional).  Forensic Nurses are NURSES first and foremost. However, the specialized role of forensic nurses goes far beyond medical care; forensic nurses also have a specialized knowledge of the legal system and skills in injury identification, evaluation, and documentation.  After attending to a patient’s immediate medical needs, a forensic nurse often collects evidence, provides medical testimony in court, and consults with legal authorities. Forensic Nurses at HaysMed conduct medical-legal examinations for victims and perpetrators of sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence victims.  Knickerbocker joins Jessica Albers and Trisha Haskell as having attained SANE-A and SANE-P certifications at HaysMed. 

Within the state of Kansas there are currently 24 SANE-A and 12 SANE-P certified nurses. HaysMed’s Forensic Nursing program was established in 2010 and was the first forensic SANE program in western Kansas.  If you are interested in joining the Forensic Nursing Program, please contact Cammie Townley cammie.townley@haysmed.com

HAYS, KS – Karen Matal, LPN was recently recognized with the Lanita Smith LPN of the year award for her focus on quality patient care, compassion, service to others and willingness to do what is necessary to provide great customer service to those she works with and around.

The LPN of the Year award is named after Smith, a former nurse that took pride in her role as an LPN and her ability to positively impact a patient’s life as a nurse in many different roles at HaysMed.  This award honors an LPN who displays many of the same characteristics that Smith had including kindness, compassion, concern and friendliness all the while being a great member of the patient care team.  

Matal works in the Medical Specialists Clinic.