IAFN Awards

This is the highest award the Association bestows to honor an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the field of Forensic Nursing.  These contributions may be made through clinical programs development, scientific achievement, legislation changes, or educational activities. No more than one award will be made each year.  Virginia Lynch Award recipient receives a 3-year membership to the Association.

Criteria

• The nominee is an International Association of Forensic Nurses voting member (Registered Nurse or equivalent).
• The nominee has demonstrated innovative and creative methods to promote and enhance Forensic Nursing to the nursing community as well as community at large.
• The nominee must have made significant contributions to the development of Forensic Nursing through demonstrated leadership.
• The nominee has worked with other organizations/disciplines to set standards of practice for the care of victims and/or offenders of violence.
• The nominee has increased the realm of possibilities for the organization and the practice of Forensic Nursing.

Past Virginia A. Lynch Pioneer Award Winners

• 2024 – Jessica Albers
• 2023 – Jennifer Sonsiadek
• 2022 – Kathy Bell
• 2021 – Pamela S. Holtzinger
• 2020 – No Awards Given
• 2019 – Zenaide Cavalcanti de Mederios Kernbeis
• 2018 – Michelle Ortiz
• 2017 – Jana French
• 2016 – Diana Faugno
• 2015 – Stacey Mitchell
• 2014 – Bonnie Price
• 2013 – Jennifer Pierce-Weeks
• 2012 – Sheila Macdonald
• 2011 – Susan Chasson
• 2010 – Nancy Cabelus
• 2009 – Denise Lyons
• 2008 – Elise J. Turner
• 2007 – Kathleen Sekula
• 2006 – Dr. Barbara Moynihan
• 2005 – Debra Holbrook
• 2004 – Mary Sullivan
• 2003 – Colleen O’Brien
• 2002 – Daniel J. Sheridan
• 2001 – Linda Saunders
• 2000 – Linda Ledray
• 1999 – Jamie Gilson
• 1998 – Jamie Ferrell
• 1997 – Arlene Kent-Wilkinson
• 1996 – Georgia Pasqualone
• 1995 – Faye Battiste-Otto

Criteria

• The nominee is an International Association of Forensic Nurses voting member.
• The nominee has demonstrated a commitment to the development of the profession of Forensic Nursing.
• The nominee, through research and/or theory development, advances knowledge of forensic concepts and their relation to nursing care.
• The nominee will have made a significant contribution to opening and advancing opportunities in Forensic Nursing through outstanding achievements in public health, welfare and safety.

Past Distinguished Fellow Winners

• 2024 – Alisha Blazevic
• 2023 – Nancy Harris
• 2022 – Rebecca Navarro
• 2020 – No Awards Given
• 2019 – Janice Du Mont
• 2018 – Kim Day
• 2017 – Annie Lewis-O’Connor
• 2016 – Dr. Karen Neill
• 2015 – Pamela Tabor
• 2014 – Rachell Ekroos
• 2013 – Jamie Ferrell
• 2012 – Joyce Williams
• 2011 – Jacqueline Callari-Robinson
• 2010 – Angela Frederick Amar
• 2009 – Diana Faugno
• 2008 – Cindy Peternelj-Taylor
• 2007 – Patricia A. Crane
• 2006 – Dr. Louanne Lawson
• 2005 – Russell Rooms
• 2004 – Jenifer Markowitz
• 2003 – Dian L. Williams
• 2002 – Paul T. Clements
• 2001 – Patricia Speck
• 2000 – Gwendolyn R. Costello
• 1998 – Patricia Loftus
• 1998 – Dawn Rice
• 1996 – Virginia Lynch
• 1996 – Janet Barber Duval
• 1995 – Ann Burgess
• 1995 – Dr. Z.G. Standing Bear
• 1995 – Dr. Patrick Besant-Matthews

Criteria

• The nominee must be an International Association of Forensic Nurses regular member.
• The nominee has completed and published forensic nursing research within the past 5 years.
• The nominee has made significant contributions to the application of forensic nursing research in the clinical environment, and with other disciplines that interface with forensic nursing.
• The nominee has demonstrated innovative and creative methods to promote and enhance research in forensic nursing to the nursing community.
• The nominee has encouraged and supported research concepts through theoretical and/or clinical practice.

Past Ann Burgess Research Award Winners

• 2024 – Katherine Scafide
• 2022 – Nancy Downing
• 2021 – Kathleen Sekula
• 2020 – No Awards Given
• 2019 – Carolyn Porta
• 2018 – Stacy Drake
• 2017 – Jocelyn Anderson
• 2016 – Julie Valentine
• 2015 – Patricia Speck
• 2014 – Kathryn Laughon
• 2012 – Deborah Shelton
• 2011 – Linda Rossman
• 2010 – Rebecca Campbell
• 2009 – Ann Burgess

Criteria

• The nominee does not have to be a member of the IAFN.
• The nominee has demonstrated consistent leadership in support of the IAFN and the practice of Forensic Nursing.
• The nominee has contributed significantly to the development and success of community or educational programs that teach or promote Forensic Nursing.

Past Patron Award Winners

• 2023 – Barbara Sheaffer
• 2022 – Heather DeVore
• 2021 – Roger Canaff
• 2020 – No Awards Given
• 2019 – Leslie Hagen
• 2018 – Sasha Rutizer
• 2017 – Paula Broome
• 2015 – David Bernard
• 2014 – Katherine Melhorn
• 2011 – Diane Daiber
• 2010 – Debra Patterson
• 2009 – Joe Henderson
• 2007 – Donna Hathaway
• 2005 – Dr. Jeff Jones
• 2005 – Debbie & Robert Smith
• 1999 – Patricia A. Peterson

Criteria

• The nominee must be an association member.
• The nominee has promoted and supported the efforts of the Association with more than 3 years of involvement.
• The nominee has demonstrated a commitment to the Association and has assisted or led developments or practices that have advanced or impacted the organization.
• The nominee can be a current Association committee member or a prior board member, but not a current board member.

Past Service Award Winners

• 2023 – Polly Campbell
• 2022 – Tammy Bimber
• 2021 – Barbara Kern-Pieh
• 2020 – No Awards Given
• 2019 – Nicole Stahlmann
• 2018 – Linda Walther
• 2017 – Gina Carbino
• 2016 – Erin Pollitt
• 2015 – No Awardee
• 2014 – Linda Walther
• 2013 – Shalotta Sharp
• 2011 – Lynda Tiefel
• 2009 – Helen Kelly
• 2008 – Pamela Turner
• 2007 – Valerie Sievers
• 2000 – Janet Barber Duval

Criteria

• The nominee must be a Regular member of the IAFN and have been a member for the last three years.
• Provides(d) direct care that met and exceeded the standards of forensic nursing care.
• Exhibited compassion and personal sacrifice on behalf of the patient/ client.
• Provides(d) extraordinary care that created significant benefit to the patient/client.

Past Front Line Forensic Nurse of the Year Award Winners

• 2024 – Anna Candoleza Muglia
• 2023 – Evangeline Barefoot
• 2022 – Iris Potter
• 2021 – Meghan Richardson
• 2021 – Gail Hansen
• 2020 – No awards given
• 2019 – Janet Carroll
• 2018 – Jennifer Breads
• 2017 – Christy Alexander
• 2016 – Anne Galloway
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