Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Augusta Health Forensic Exam Room at the Valley Children’s Advocacy Center

FISHERSVILLE, VIRGINIA – The Valley Children’s Advocacy Center is excited to announce the grand opening of its new Forensic Medical Exam Room, a significant achievement made possible through a collaboration with Augusta Health. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Thursday, November 21, to celebrate the official launch of this facility, dedicated to providing essential care and support for children who have experienced abuse.

This new exam room marks a significant improvement in caring for our community’s most vulnerable members—children who have faced trauma. For the first time, these children will receive forensic medical exams in a safe, welcoming environment that reduces the anxiety and fear typically found in traditional clinical settings. The specialized room aims to provide young survivors with compassionate support from the expert Forensic Nurse Team at Augusta Health. “This showcases Augusta Health’s dedication to the community,” said Renee Pullen, BSN, RN, Forensic Program Coordinator at Augusta Health. “In the past, children had to go down a hospital hallway to get to the exam room. We are excited to present this new location, thoughtfully created to be child-friendly, ensuring that kids do not feel like they are in a hospital.”

The new exam room will serve as a critical resource for children and families in crisis, providing a range of services under one roof and helping to streamline the healing and justice process. This facility is not just a medical space; it is a sanctuary for children to begin their journey to recovery, surrounded by professionals who understand the importance of medical care and emotional support.

“We are incredibly proud of this partnership and the positive impact it will have on our community,” said Rebecca Simmons, MSW, Executive Director at the Valley Children’s Advocacy Center. “This new facility ensures that children who have experienced abuse can access the care they need in a space that feels safe and familiar, helping them move forward on their path toward healing,” noted Simmons. Together, the Valley Children’s Advocacy Center and Augusta Health are taking a critical step in ensuring that every child in our community has access to the justice, care, and healing they deserve.

About the Valley Children’s Advocacy Center

Valley Children’s Advocacy Center is a non-profit organization located in Staunton, Virginia, serving the Counties of Augusta, Rockbridge, Highland, and Allegheny, along with the Cities of Staunton, Waynesboro, Lexington, Buena Vista, Covington, and Clifton Forge. Their mission is to build resilience, inspire healing, and lower the impact of trauma for survivors of child abuse and their families through collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, utilization of evidence-based practices, and education to create an empowered community. Valley Children’s Advocacy Center is dedicated to bringing hope and healing to the roughly 300 children per year they serve throughout our region.