Board of Directors
Candidate For:
Tamara Jackson
MSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P
Goal Statement
My goal is to advance the field of forensic nursing through visionary leadership, clinical excellence, education, and advocacy for survivors of violence. I am committed to expanding access to high-quality, trauma-informed Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) services, mentoring the next generation of forensic nurses, and strengthening multidisciplinary partnerships that improve patient outcomes and promote justice. Through innovation, evidence-based practice, and service, I strive to influence policy, elevate professional standards, and create sustainable programs that empower nurses while ensuring every survivor receives compassionate, equitable, and expert care.
Biography
Tamara Jackson, MSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, is an accomplished healthcare executive, forensic nursing leader, and nationally recognized advocate for survivors of sexual assault and interpersonal violence. With more than two decades of progressive healthcare leadership, she has dedicated her career to advancing forensic nursing practice, developing sustainable clinical programs, and improving equitable access to trauma-informed care.
As the System Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program Manager for Sinai Chicago Health System, Jackson provides strategic leadership for the development, implementation, and oversight of a comprehensive, multi-site forensic nursing program. She has successfully led organizational initiatives that have strengthened clinical operations, standardized evidence-based practices, expanded access to specialized services, and enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration across emergency medicine, nursing, behavioral health, advocacy, law enforcement, and the criminal justice system.
Jackson is recognized for her expertise in program development, healthcare operations, regulatory compliance, quality improvement, policy development, and workforce education. She has designed and implemented innovative clinical protocols and documentation systems that support compliance with the Illinois Sexual Assault Emergency Treatment Act (SASETA), improve patient outcomes, and strengthen the quality of forensic evidence collection. Her leadership has also advanced the integration of forensic photography and trauma-informed practices into healthcare delivery, establishing new standards of excellence in forensic nursing.
A respected leader in the forensic nursing community, Jackson made history as the first African American elected to the Board of Directors of the Academy of Forensic Nursing, where she also served as Secretary. Through her board service, she contributed to organizational governance, strategic planning, policy development, and professional advancement initiatives that strengthened the organization's national impact. She continues to mentor emerging forensic nurses and actively promotes leadership development, diversity, and excellence within the profession.
Jackson is widely recognized as an educator, speaker, and subject matter expert on forensic nursing, sexual assault response, trauma-informed care, forensic photography, expert witness testimony, and healthcare program development. She has presented educational programs and mentored healthcare professionals committed to improving services for survivors of violence.
Her leadership has earned numerous professional distinctions, including recognition as a Distinguished Member of the Academy of Forensic Nursing and recipient of the 2025 DAISY Award. She is known for her collaborative leadership style, strategic vision, operational excellence, and unwavering commitment to innovation, advocacy, and compassionate patient care.