Ascension Wisconsin’s Mobile Sexual Assault Treatment Center and Anti-Human Trafficking Program (SATC) has been awarded the 2025 Global Vision Community Partnership Award by the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) Foundation, recognizing its innovative, community-based approach to expanding trauma-informed care for survivors across the state.
The WHA Foundation’s Global Vision Award honors collaborative community health initiatives that address documented local needs through meaningful and sustained partnerships. Ascension Wisconsin’s SATC program will receive a $2,500 grant to further advance its mission of delivering compassionate, survivor-centered care to those impacted by sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking.
“It’s the WHA Foundation’s honor to recognize Ascension Wisconsin for meeting the community’s greatest health needs through creativity, innovation and partnership,” said Leigh Ann S. Larson, Vice President of Education and Marketing and Executive Director, WHA Foundation.
The Ascension Mobile SATC was developed to overcome significant identified barriers to timely forensic medical care in southeastern Wisconsin. Many survivors, particularly victims of human trafficking faced long travel distances or went without essential services. Ascension responded by creating a mobile, 24/7 model that brings immediate, trauma-informed care directly to survivors in safe hospital settings.
“We started this initiative in 1992 at Ascension All Saints Hospital, and today with the expansion into the Fox Valley region; serving Ascension hospitals in Appleton, Chilton, and Oshkosh, our team of nurses responds to all 12 Ascension hospital emergency departments across the state,” said Rachel Cortez, RN, Program Supervisor. “Last year alone we cared for nearly 1,000 patients. I’m proud that our program has inspired others to model their services after ours, ensuring more survivors receive the compassionate, high-quality care they deserve.”
Each patient is cared for by a Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE), a registered nurse specially trained to conduct forensic medical evaluations, collect evidence, prevent sexually transmitted infections, conduct a danger lethality risk assessment, create a safety plan, and connect survivors with advocacy and legal resources.
Through collaboration, compassion and clinical excellence, Ascension Wisconsin’s SATC program continues to bring healing, hope and justice to survivors; setting the standard for trauma-informed, survivor-focused care across Wisconsin.
