St. Luke’s Magic Valley Partners with Penn State University to Expand Sexual Assault Forensic Care in Idaho
TWIN FALLS, Idaho — St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center has announced a partnership with Penn State University’s SAFE-T (Sexual Assault Forensic Examination–Telehealth) System, expanding access to expert forensic care for sexual assault survivors across Magic Valley and surrounding rural communities.
The program ensures that patients at St. Luke’s facilities can receive sexual assault forensic exams 24 hours a day, seven days a week, close to home — a significant development for a region where access to specialized medical care has historically required travel to distant facilities.
How the SAFE-T System Works
At the center of the partnership are Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, known as SANEs — specially trained nurses with extensive experience in providing sexual assault care. Through the SAFE-T System, St. Luke’s connects its on-site clinical teams with SANE specialists via secure telehealth technology.
This real-time support guides nurses through each step of the forensic exam, with an emphasis on patient choice, control, and confidentiality, while following best practices for evidence collection and survivor-centered care, according to St. Luke’s officials.
St. Luke’s has implemented the SAFE-T System at St. Luke’s Magic Valley in Twin Falls and at its critical access hospitals in Jerome, Elmore, Fruitland, McCall, and Wood River.
“In a rural setting, maintaining consistent on-site expertise for sexual assault exams can be challenging,” said Nancy Hicks, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer for St. Luke’s Jerome. “The SAFE-T System allows our local nurses to partner in real time with experienced forensic nurses, which increases our teams’ confidence, supports best practice evidence collection, and helps ensure survivors receive consistent, high-quality care.”
The system also supports local nurses through specialized training, including SANE certification, continuing education, and legal preparation — equipping St. Luke’s teams to care for patients and support potential legal processes.
A Critical Resource for Rural Idaho Communities
The SAFE-T partnership carries particular significance for rural Idaho, where hospitals often serve as the primary — and sometimes only — immediate resource for survivors seeking care after an assault. By eliminating the need for repeat exams or transfers to distant facilities, the program aims to reduce trauma and improve outcomes for patients.
“For survivors of sexual assault, the ability to receive timely, respectful, and expert care locally can make a profound difference,” said Angela Brady, associate chief nursing officer at St. Luke’s Wood River. “Through the SAFE-T System, we’re able to surround patients with compassion and expertise right here at St. Luke’s, meeting them where they are, honoring their choices, and helping them begin the path toward healing.”
The SAFE-T program builds on St. Luke’s existing collaboration with the Magic Valley Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), Voices Against Violence, law enforcement, and other community partners. Together, these organizations work to raise awareness that survivors can receive comprehensive, compassionate support locally — from immediate medical care to advocacy services and follow-up resources.
St. Luke’s also noted that professional language services are available for patients who prefer to receive care in a language other than English, ensuring the program is accessible to all members of the community.
St. Luke’s officials encourage anyone who has experienced sexual assault to know that help is available locally, at any time. Care is described as confidential, patient-centered, and designed to support both physical and emotional healing.
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What Comes Next
St. Luke’s has not announced a specific expansion timeline beyond the current facilities already participating in the SAFE-T System. However, officials say the program is designed to grow alongside community need. Residents seeking more information about sexual assault care services through St. Luke’s Magic Valley are encouraged to contact the hospital directly. Community members looking to support local survivors and related organizations can also look into upcoming volunteer opportunities in the Magic Valley region as local nonprofits continue their outreach efforts heading into spring and summer.