Board Members
Kenneth Roach
For 12 years, Ken worked for the Rape Recovery Center as a member of the hospital response team and educator. For 10 years, Ken trained victim advocates with the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA). As a therapist, Ken works with survivors of sexual violence, and he has provided expert witness testimony in criminal trials. Ken has served on the WFN Board of Directors since 2004.
James Antinori
Jim has been practicing Emergency Medicine in Salt Lake City since 1977. In 1979, he became involved in the care of victims of sexual assault in the emergency department, doing medical and forensic exams. It was a difficult exam, for the patient and for the doctor. When the idea of having specially trained nurse examiners was proposed, he realized that it was a much superior way of collecting evidence, and better for the patient. He was honored to be asked to be on the Board of Wasatch Forensic Nurses, and to bring the emergency department perspective to our discussions.
Vacant Position
Marty serves as the Men's Engagement Specialist for the Utah Department of Health, coordinating statewide efforts to engage men in anti-violence work. He is also the co-founder of the Men's Anti-Violence Network (MAN) of Utah. Marty has been an anti-violence educator for over 20 years. Throughout that time Marty has watched and supported the growth and efforts of Wasatch Forensic Nurse (WFN).
Dianne Fuller
Dianne Fuller, APRN, SANE, DNP is a retired sexual assault nurse examiner, a family nurse practitioner with focus on reproductive health, and Professor Emeritus from the University of Utah College of Nursing. In 2001 Dianne became the founding executive director of Salt Lake Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, which later changed its name to Wasatch Forensic Nurses. She continued in this role until her retirement in 2016. This team of nurses began at the request of local advocacy and law enforcement groups who identified a need to provide specialized care to victims of sexual violence.
Now retired from clinical practice and teaching Dianne serves on the Board of Directors of Wasatch Forensic Nurses (WFN). Dianne explains that being a part of this incredible team was one of the most rewarding events of her long career in health care. The caring and compassionate service provided by the nurses of WFN is critical in fostering the healing of each victim, as well as in gathering evidence to assist the criminal justice system in holding perpetrators accountable. Continuing to participate in the growth of this team through service on the Board of Directors provides the opportunity to share her devotion to the care of victims and response to the needs of the community.
Melody Gray
Melody Gray serves as a member of the Wasatch Front Nurses because she understands the importance of the forensic exam. Serving as a police officer for over 24 years, she has seen firsthand the impact they can have on survivors of sexual violence. Being a part of an organization dedicated to providing these exams not only in a timely manner, but with great compassion is of utmost importance to her. Melody also serves on the boards of the Inclusion Center for Community and Justice and Utah Women in Law Enforcement. Melody is a graduate of Weber State University, an avid runner, and is mother of a son and two dogs.
Dana Thomas
In addition to her responsibilities as Executive Director, Dana also serves on the Board of Directors for Wasatch Forensic Nurses. Dana is committed to raising awareness of sexual assault to ensure that services are provided to anyone in need. Dana holds a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice. Her previous experience began at YCC of Ogden where she developed and coordinated a Domestic Violence volunteer advocate program. She also worked with the Utah State Office for Victims of Crime assisting victims of violent crime with benefits, and coordinated and developed UOVC's Restitution Unit. During her time with the State of Utah, she trained numerous criminal justice partners throughout the state of Utah. One of Dana's passions is advocating on behalf of survivors. Dana is honored to be working with such a capable, dedicated team like WFN.
Vacant Position
Donna has 35 years experience as an Emergency Department RN and Emergency Nursing Director. Within this role, she oversaw the development of programs to ensure the proper care of victims of physical or sexual assault and the expanded role of nurses and advanced practice nurses in caring for these victims in the Emergency Department and in other settings. She continues her advocacy for victims by serving on the Wasatch Forensic Nurses Board and supporting nurses in their role in community education, victim advocacy and education to improve the care given to victims of assault.
Vacant Position
Dr. Kathleen Franchek-Roa is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University Of Utah School Of Medicine. In addition to working with and teaching medical students and residents, Dr. Franchek-Roa is the Chair of the University of Utah Health Domestic Violence Committee which developed guidelines for assisting physicians and staff in the identification of and intervention for patients who are victims of abuse, neglect and/or exploitation. Serving on the Wasatch Forensic Nurses Board provides Dr. Franchek-Roa the opportunity to continue to serve this community of professionals in advocating for and improving the health of survivors of sexual assault.
Leissa Roberts
Dr. Roberts is a Certified Nurse Midwife who has been faculty at the University of Utah since 1993. She joined the board of Wasatch Forensic Nurses (WFN) because they are national leaders in providing patient centered care to persons victimized by sexual and intimate partner violence. The care WFN provides is aimed at mitigating the long term effects of sexual violence and fostering community awareness.
Dara R. Cohen
Dara R. Cohen is an attorney in Salt Lake specializing exclusively in estate planning and probate matters. Dara is honored to participate in WFN leadership to support its mission of advocacy for victims, training opportunities for medical and other professionals, and community awareness.
Our Sponsors and Community Partners
Wasatch Forensic Nurses partners with many local agencies, organizations, schools and corporations. We appreciate their dedication to this important work which is critical to create a safer community for us all
SPONSORS
PARTNERS
