In honor of Forensic Nurses Week, we are pleased to announce
the creation of a virtual Tribute Wall to honor the life and work of
Virginia Lynch, a visionary and pioneer often referred to as the "Mother of
Forensic Nursing." We invite you to help build this wall by purchasing
a brick, with proceeds going toward a scholarship fund for forensic
examiners to attend our International Conference on Sexual Assault,
Domestic Violence, and Stalking.
Virginia Lynch has arguably
done more than any other person to create the field of forensic
nursing. Through her work and leadership, she has touched the lives of
countless people, providing care and healing for victims and promoting
forensic science to hold offenders accountable.
Help us to honor
her legacy by providing an opportunity for forensic examiners to attend our
annual conference, offering them the chance to build their knowledge, hone
their skills, and connect with others who do this critical work.
Thank You
Forensic Nurses
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all forensic
nurses, throughout the United States and around the world, for the critical
work you do. In your everyday efforts, you offer victims care, healing,
compassion, and hope they so desperately need. On behalf of victims, their
support people and loved ones, we honor your service.
About Virginia Lynch
Virginia A. Lynch, MSN, RN, FAAFS, FAAN, has been recognized as
one of the American pioneers in nursing and the founder of forensic nursing
as a scientific discipline. Her professional career launched when
Virginia received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Harris College of
Nursing, Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas in 1982. She
then became the first student enrolled in the first forensic nursing
graduate program, a program she was instrumental in designing.
Teaching and Writing
Virginia went on to serve on the faculty of Forensic Nursing
and Forensic Health Science, Beth El College of Nursing, University of
Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) from 1993-2010 and as adjunct faculty at
the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York. She currently serves as
a visiting scholar in forensic science and nursing programs worldwide.
She is Editor of the first medico-legal textbook for nurses,
titled Forensic Nursing published by Elsevier in 2006. This book
was acclaimed as the Most Significant Scholarly/Professional
Contribution to Nursing and Allied Health for the year 2006 by the
American Association of Publishers, Inc. The second edition, titled
Forensic Nursing Science was published in August, 2010.
Founding President of IAFN
Her impact on the field is significant and lasting, and her
accomplishments and awards are too numerous to list. From 1993 to 1996, for
example, Virginia served as the founding president of the International
Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN). She continues to be active with the
IAFN as an International Liaison, and in 1994 she was awarded the IAFN
Virginia A. Lynch Pioneer Award, which is now an annual award for
individuals who exemplify distinguished advances in the science of forensic
nursing.
International Impact
A prolific writer of articles and technical papers on forensic
nursing as well as a frequent lecturer, she is currently involved in the
establishment of forensic nursing courses at universities and colleges
worldwide. In 2000, Virginia initiated a global consulting program in
forensic nursing science, teaching internationally as an independent
scholar, while maintaining a part time faculty position when in residence in
Colorado.
Virginia was the first Fulbright Scholar to be awarded a
fellowship in forensic nursing science in 2005/2006. This grant introduced
the global concept of forensic nursing practice to health and justice
systems across the Indian subcontinent. In 2008, Virginia joined the faculty
at the Gian Sigar Medical and Nursing Colleges in Punjab, India to consult
and develop courses in forensic nursing education.
