Membership Spotlight
2024 Ohio Chapter IAFN Nurse of the Year
Les Doerfler, BSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P
Leslie (Les) Doerfler, BSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, is a well-respected leader in the field of forensic nursing, and the Ohio Chapter of the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) is proud to honor her with the 2024 Forensic Nurse of the Year award. Les has long been a champion of forensic nursing, contributing to its growth and development through leadership, education, and mentorship. She has devoted her career to supporting survivors, particularly those affected by violence, and has made significant contributions to the field through both her professional work and her service to the community.
Les’s healthcare career began in 1984, when she started as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). She continued her education and career development, earning her Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) in 1993 and later completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Ohio University in 2001. Her passion for education and teaching has been evident throughout her career, as she has held multiple teaching roles, including certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC), among others. In addition, she spent many years as a Prehospital RN and Transport RN, specializing in pediatric care and working in critical care settings.
Les’s career in forensic nursing began in 2008, when she completed the original Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) class in Houston, Texas. She became a certified SANE-A (Adult/Adolescent) in 2014 and later SANE-P (Pediatric) in 2019. Leslie’s commitment to education led her to teach SANE-A and SANE-P courses, where she has influenced and mentored many future forensic nurses. She also served as president of the Ohio Chapter of IAFN in 2015, further solidifying her role as a leader in the field.
Her extensive background in prehospital care, including her certification as an EMT and paramedic, enriches her expertise in forensic nursing. Les has remained deeply involved in healthcare education, having taught at all levels of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), further broadening her impact on the healthcare community.
Les is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Ohio and International Associations of Forensic Nurses (IAFN), the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence (OAESV), and the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN). She is also a member of state committees such as the Ohio Attorney General’s Healthcare Human Trafficking Subcommittee. Her participation in multidisciplinary team meetings across Ohio reflects her commitment to improving the care and support of victims in her community.
Guided by the motto, “Watch it, learn it, and teach it! Share knowledge! Always be professional and with empathy,” Les has built a career that emphasizes professionalism, empathy, and education. She continues to be a dedicated advocate for survivors of violence, and her work has touched countless lives across Ohio and beyond. Through her leadership, expertise, and passion for teaching, Les Doerfler exemplifies the spirit and dedication of a forensic nurse, and the IAFN Ohio Chapter is proud to recognize her with this well-deserved award.
New Members
Welcome! We're delighted to have you join IAFN Ohio Chapter. Your expertise and dedication will be invaluable as we work together to improve patient care and advance our nursing specialty. We encourage you to actively participate in our meetings and initiatives. Your input is essential to our success.
Important Announcements
Important Announcements
Statewide Leadership Meetings transitions to Forensic Nurse Statewide Meeting
The new monthly meetings will be open to all SANEs across the state.
Primary objectives: increase communication, have meaningful discussions, build community, share expertise, and offer mutual support.
Meeting Times TBD
Contact any member of the board, or Statewide Director of Forensic Nursing Tammy Robertson for more details.
New SANE Certifications in ohio
Currently, there are 89 SANE-A and 31 SANE-P certified nurses in Ohio.
Want to become SANE-A or SANE-P certified?
Certification exams are held twice a year during April and September.
Please visit IAFN’s SANE Certification Central for more information.
April 2024, we congratulate the following nurses for passing certification:
SANE-A
Anna Ressler
Clare Awada
Gabrielle Ohms
Katherine Murphy
Michelle Zollos
Nia Long
SANE-P
Lauren Graham