The Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA) and Banner – University Medical Center Tucson (BUMC-T) have enhanced medical forensic services for sexual assault and domestic violence survivors with the addition of a new Cortexflo Forensic Imaging System and an upgraded medical forensic examination space.
The advanced imaging technology supports Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs)—specially trained forensic nurses who provide medical care, forensic evidence collection, documentation, and advocacy for survivors throughout southern Arizona. The system enhances forensic documentation by capturing high-quality images that support both medical assessment and forensic examinations while maintaining a survivor-centered, trauma-informed approach.
This investment represents a significant advancement in the tools available to forensic nurses, helping strengthen documentation, improve efficiency, and support the delivery of high-quality care during some of the most critical moments in a survivor’s healing journey.
A Shared Commitment to Survivor-Centered Care
“This investment is about improving care for survivors,” said Jennifer Rose Saxton, senior medical forensic examiner with SACASA. “With enhanced medical and forensic documentation tools, nurses can deliver more precise, comprehensive care while helping ensure survivors receive the highest standard of support and advocacy.”
“Banner – University Medicine is proud to celebrate five years of partnership with SACASA in providing compassionate, trauma-informed care to survivors of sexual assault,” said Melissa Zukowski, Senior Director and Associate Chief Medical Officer of Banner – University Medical Center. “With the introduction of the Cortexflo Forensic Imaging System and an upgraded, private examination space, we are deepening our commitment to the survivors we serve — improving survivor-centered care and strengthening the mission we share. This is a service we wish was never needed, but we are honored to stand with our community when they need us most.”
In the first five years of the partnership between Banner – University Medicine and SACASA, nearly 900 survivors have received care.
Honoring Forensic Nurses Week
The announcement of the new technology coincides with Forensic Nurses Week (Nov. 2–8), which was recently recognized by the State of Arizona through a gubernatorial proclamation honoring forensic nurses for their critical role in patient care, public safety, and the justice system.
SANEs provide specialized medical forensic examinations, evidence collection, documentation, and compassionate support for survivors throughout Southern Arizona.
“The addition of this technology strengthens the tools available to our forensic nursing team, but it is the expertise and compassion of our SANEs that truly make a difference for survivors,” said Katlyn Monje, director of SACASA. “Forensic Nurses Week provides an opportunity to recognize these highly skilled nurses and the critical role they play in our community.”
As demand for specialized forensic nursing services continues across southern Arizona, SACASA and Banner – University Medicine Tucson remain committed to investing in both innovative technology and the highly trained professionals who deliver survivor-centered care. Advanced tools and expert forensic nurses help ensure survivors have access to comprehensive medical forensic services when they need them most.
About the Organizations
About SACASA
The Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA) is Southern Arizona’s leading resource for prevention, advocacy, and support services for individuals impacted by sexual violence. SACASA provides crisis intervention, advocacy, counseling, prevention education, and forensic nursing services throughout the region. For more information, visit www.SACASA.org.
About Banner Health
Banner Health’s mission is to make health care easier, so life can be better. As one of the nation’s largest fully integrated nonprofit health systems, we are pioneering a sustainable care model that prioritizes prevention, manages chronic disease, and reduces health spending—succeeding when patients stay healthy, not when they get sick.
We operate 33 hospitals and more than 400 sites across six states, delivering seamless care from primary to quaternary medicine, including health insurance, physician networks, world-renowned specialty services, and behavioral health. Accountable to the communities we serve, we reinvest every dollar into advancing care, research, and facilities, providing more than $1 billion each year in community benefit. Through our partnership with the University of Arizona, we drive clinical discoveries across more than 800 trials and train more than 1,300 residents and fellows annually. Headquartered in Arizona, we serve Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming. Our hospitals are consistently ranked among Arizona’s top-performing by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/about.
