Andrea Sebastian

Dr. Andrea Sebastian earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from the University of Kentucky in 2014, specializing in primary care pediatrics.  Upon graduation, Dr. Sebastian joined the child abuse team at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. In this role, she conducts comprehensive medical evaluations of children with suspected physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect.  This experience solidified her passion for forensic nursing.

During this time, Dr. Sebastian had a small role in academia when she joined the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) College of Nursing as an Assistant Professor. In 2022, she transitioned to academia full time but continued to practice at LeBonheur through faculty practice.  She has taught and mentored undergraduate and graduate nursing students, integrating her forensic expertise into traditional nursing curricula and by starting a BSN Forensic Elective. Her dedication to education and scholarship was recognized with her promotion to Associate Professor in 2025. She has also been actively engaged in developing the Forensic Nursing Certificate, grant-funded projects, and the expansion of clinical training opportunities for future forensic nurses.

Committed to advancing her clinical knowledge, Dr. Sebastian completed a Post-Master’s Certificate in Acute Care Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 2022. This additional specialization broadened her ability to care for children with complex and emergent health needs, further enhancing her expertise at the intersection of pediatric acute care and forensic nursing.

Dr. Sebastian holds multiple professional certifications that reflect her clinical and forensic expertise. She is a certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) for pediatric patients and she is certified as an Advanced Forensic Nurse (AFN-C).  Her contributions to the field have also been recognized through her induction as a Distinguished Fellow in the Academy of Forensic Nursing (DF-AFN), one of the highest honors in the specialty.

Her scholarship and professional service demonstrate her commitment to advancing forensic nursing education and practice on a national scale. She has authored peer-reviewed publications, presented at national and international conferences, and collaborated with interdisciplinary partners to promote trauma-informed, evidence-based care for survivors of violence.

Goal Statement

My goal in serving on the Academy of Forensic Nursing Board of Directors is to strengthen the visibility, influence, and sustainability of forensic nursing through education, collaboration, and advocacy. I aim to expand our membership reach, foster interdisciplinary partnerships that advance trauma-informed care, and create mentorship pathways that engage and support the next generation of forensic nurses. By leveraging my clinical expertise, academic leadership, and commitment to service, I hope to advance AFN’s mission and ensure the organization continues to be a leader in forensic nursing science and practice.