St. Mary’s Expands Access to Sexual Assault Care
St. Mary’s Expands Access to Sexual Assault Care
Technology connects St. Mary’s providers to New York’s most experienced forensic examiners, ensuring 24/7 expert, trauma-informed care
AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Nov. _, 2025—Patients who experience sexual assault now have 24/7 access to trauma-informed care within their own community, at St. Mary’s Healthcare.
The local independent hospital has taken significant steps to ensure that those who are sexually assaulted receive immediate, expert, compassionate care:
- Partnered with TeleSAFE. The statewide program of St. Peter’s Crime Victim Services provides remote support at the St. Mary’s bedside so patients can receive clinical forensic exams without having to transfer to a larger hospital.
- Trained 13 St. Mary’s providers to conduct these highly detailed exams and collect evidence with the utmost sensitivity.
- Continued to nurture relationships with local social services, patient advocacy and other organizations that provide additional, essential patient support.
“Patients deserve access to expert, trauma-informed care regardless of where they live,” said Kristina Thomas, MS, RN, NE-BC, director of emergency and urgent care services at St. Mary’s. “They’re coming to us for a difficult exam after a devastating ordeal. They should not have to endure the additional distress of being transferred to an unfamiliar facility, far from their community.”
Thomas has high praise for TeleSAFE and its network of expert Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners. TeleSAFE’s team comprises some of the most seasoned and recognized forensic examiners in the state and across the nation. “These cases are extremely complex, and no two are the same,” Thomas said. “The SAFE-certified providers have extensive experience and are available around the clock to answer questions, guide us through the exams and provide care and support to patients of any age.”
St. Mary’s officially launched its program Nov. 17 but has been working with TeleSAFE for several months, collaborating on documentation, policies and procedures. During that time, St. Mary’s has conducted numerous exams for adult and pediatric patients. Thomas expects that number to increase once people and organizations realize that this care is available locally.
Sexual assault occurs every 68 seconds in the U.S. In addition to physical, legal and emotional burdens, many survivors have difficulty obtaining follow-up care.
“With TeleSAFE, we can make sure survivors receive the care they need, no matter when they arrive at St. Mary’s,” Thomas said, “and we can connect them to critical support services close to home.”
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About St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam: St. Mary’s Healthcare has been providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare to the people of Montgomery and Fulton counties since 1903. At St. Mary’s Hospital, the Rao Outpatient Pavilion and other locations, the local, independent healthcare organization offers the comprehensive, critical services its community needs and deserves. For more information: (518) 842-1900, www.smha.org or www.facebook.com/smha.org.
About TeleSAFE: TeleSAFE is a free, hospital-based clinical service established in 2018 through funding from the New York Office of Victim Services, the New York Department of Health, and in conjunction with St. Peter’s Health Partners. TeleSAFE provides a remote solution to hospitals to ensure that survivors of sexual assault receive the comprehensive, compassionate care they need. TeleSAFE’s clinicians are all certified SAFEs who can provide support ranging from basic questions to guiding a full exam and evidence collection process remotely and are available 24 hours a day. For more information on TeleSAFE, visit: https://telesafe.org/.
Contact:
Kristin Mosher
Director, Marketing and Communications
St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam
(518) 770-7505
kristin.mosher@nysmha.org