Six NRV professionals receive Forensic Dream Team award

Pictured from left are Tamy Mann, Cris Whitaker, April Bennett, Jill Neice and Opal Squires. Not pictured: Heather Flassing. Photo courtesy of Lee Ann Martin

The Virginia Chapter of the International Association of Forensic Nurses recently awarded six local professionals with the Forensic Dream Team award. This dedicated group of professionals was recognized for their outstanding interagency collaboration, which contributes to social change and improving the life of a patient or family. Together the “Dream Team” has a combined experience of more than 60 years.

The team works together in an attempt to improve the lives of Pulaski County children who have been victims of child abuse and/or child neglect. The collaborative effort of these individuals demonstrates their dedication to helping Pulaski child victims.

“The goals of the ‘Dream Team’ are to improve the outcomes for children. They accomplish this by supporting one another’s individual roles, by exhibiting interdisciplinary respect, information sharing and their willingness to perform as a team,” said Lee Ann Martin, social work supervisor for Pulaski County Department of Social Services.

The “Dream Team” members include: April Bennett, Carilion New River Valley Medical Center; Cris Whitaker, Carilion New River Valley Medical Center; Opal Squires, Pulaski County Department of Social Services; Investigative Sgt. Jill Neice, Pulaski Police Department; Heather Flassing, New River Valley Children’s Advocacy Center (Children Trust Roanoke Valley); and Tamy Mann, victim witness advocate with the Women’s Resource Center.

– Submitted by Lee Ann Martin, Pulaski County Department of Social Services

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