News

VON is proud to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of Brittany Jury and Claudette McDonald, dedicated members of the VON Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program based out of the VON Colchester East Hants site.

At the spring Canadian Forensic Nurses Association meeting, Brittany, Manager of the SANE program, was awarded the 2025 Forensic Nursing Impact Award. This national honour recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership, innovation and excellence in advancing forensic nursing practice and community awareness.

“It was a really big honour to even be nominated,” said Brittany. “The fact that my team recognized the work that I’m doing, and the kind words they shared about how they respect me as a leader, was very humbling. Winning was an incredible surprise. I’m super proud.”

Since joining VON in 2019 and stepping into the SANE Manager role in 2023, Brittany has worked tirelessly to strengthen community partnerships and expand awareness of the program.

“When I first came into the role, if I was in a room with other professionals and asked, ‘Have you heard of SANE?’ most people would say no,” she explained. “Now, we’re starting to get more yeses! Building those community relationships with police, hospital staff and shelters has been one of the most meaningful parts of the work.”

Her leadership has also directly supported professional development and education within the SANE team. “I’ve had the opportunity to take initiative when I see gaps, whether that’s providing education at local shelters or hospitals,” said Brittany. “VON has really empowered me to address those needs and strengthen how we support our community.”

That commitment to learning and growth extends across the team. This year, both Brittany and her colleague Claudette successfully earned their SANE-A certification through the International Association of Forensic Nurses—a rigorous, 300-question exam that demonstrates expertise in forensic nursing for adults and adolescents. They are now two of eight nurses in Nova Scotia to hold this specialized credential.

“When the opportunity came up to write the certification exam, I took it!” shared Claudette, who has been with VON for nearly five years. “It was a personal desire to keep improving, to stay current and to share that knowledge with others.”

Claudette emphasized that this achievement was made possible through the support of VON and Brittany.

“Without VON seeking community partnerships and providing funding for the certification, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity,” she said. “Brittany valued education and organized monthly study groups for us. Because of her leadership, we kept going—she encouraged us and believed we could do it.”

For Claudette, the certification represents more than a personal milestone—it’s part of a continuous journey of growth and teamwork.

Together, Brittany and Claudette embody the spirit of excellence, compassion and leadership that defines VON’s SANE program. Their work continues to strengthen access to trauma-informed care for survivors and advance the standards of forensic nursing across Nova Scotia.

To learn more about VON's Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program, please visit our website: von.ca/SANE

Strategic Plan 2025-30: Excel

The second pillar in VON’s 2025-30 strategic plan is Excel: Bring the best to clients and caregivers by spreading clinical and operational excellence across VON.

With a focus on performance, education and innovation, VON clients and their families have access to high-quality, evidence-informed health and wellness programs, supported by an efficient high-performance organization. 

Visit von.ca/strategic-plan for an interactive visual representation of the new strategic plan.