Anne Boatright Recognized as 2016 National Magnet Nurse of the Year Award Winner

 

Through dedication, advocacy and tenacity, Anne Boatright transformed the way care is provided to victims of violence in the Omaha community.

Her leadership and passion for the Methodist Hospital Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program earned her national honors when she was named a 2016 National Magnet Nurse of the Year Transformational Leadership award winner at the 2016 American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Conference in Orlando.

“To be honored and recognized amongst my peers from across the country was a truly humbling moment,” Boatright, SANE coordinator at Methodist Hospital, said of her award and acceptance speech in Orlando. “I am so passionate about our program and in making a difference in the lives of those impacted by sexual assault, domestic violence, strangulation and human trafficking. But I am not in this fight alone. There are many Methodist Hospital nurses and leaders who stand beside me as well as those agencies in the Omaha community.”

Boatright began her work as a SANE nurse at Methodist nine years ago. She became the program’s coordinator in 2011 and has built a team that provides 24/7 coverage of Methodist’s two SANE locations (Methodist Hospital and Methodist Women’s Hospital). In 2014, she collaborated with leadership to expand the program to the inpatient setting, as not all victims of these crimes enter the health care system through the emergency department.

Her work extends beyond the health system, as she has become a core member of the Nebraska Human Trafficking Task Force (NHTTF). She also works collaboratively with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and just last year helped Nebraska State Senators draft legislation to revamp the victim’s compensation fund.

She provides training throughout the State of Nebraska and serves as an expert witness for criminal cases involving sexual assault, domestic violence, strangulation and human trafficking.

“Anne’s work for victims of these horrific crimes and her work in putting Methodist at the forefront to care for these individuals is remarkable,” said Teri Tipton, vice president and chief nursing officer, Methodist Hospital. “Anne and her team of nursing professionals provide victims a safe and caring environment when they are so vulnerable. Her passion extends beyond the Omaha community as she is making an impact across the state of Nebraska. We couldn’t be more proud of Anne and grateful to the ANCC for recognizing her work on a national level.”

The Nurse of the Year award recognizes the outstanding contributions of clinical nurses for innovation, consultation, leadership and professional risk-taking. Awards are presented in each of the five Magnet components: transformational leadership; structural empowerment; exemplary professional practice; new knowledge, innovations and improvements; and empirical outcomes.

To learn more about the National Magnet Nurse of the Year Award program, click here.

To learn more about Methodist's Heidi Wilke SANE/SART Survivor program, click here.

To read Mike Kelly's column about Anne Boatright's contributions and watch her Magnet Award acceptance speech, click here.