Col. Brian Bowman, 914th Airlift Wing commander, and Nikki Slaughter-Smith, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, 914 AW, traveled to Crisis Services and Eastern Niagara Hospital August 26th to present letters signed by Lt. Gen. James Jackson, previous Air Force Reserve commander.

During a visit to the base earlier this year, Jackson met with Maj. Erica Fernandez for a short briefing about the status of Sexual Assaults and the work of all our community partners. The letter was written to recognize the hard work the staff accomplishes to assist the installation and the command. Bowman and Slaughter-Smith went to the facilities to deliver the letters and talk to staff members about what it means.

“The reason the relationship with Eastern Niagara Hospital is so important to the base is because there are no Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) close by and that is where an Airmen would normally receive a sexual assault examination if sexually assaulted.  They play a crucial role in ensuring our Airmen have the resources they would need in the event of an assault.  These facilities help Airmen who want to hold their attackers accountable by gathering the forensic evidence needed for a court martial trial," said Slaughter-Smith. 

Crisis Services and Eastern Niagara Hospital assists the base by being available to provide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) resources in Erie and Niagara County.  Holly Franz and Molly Maigret are the Coordinators for the SANE's in Erie and Niagara County.  They both show a real passion for their work and expect the same from the nurses they train.  Crisis Services has a very active advocacy  program. Director Robyn Wiktorski-Reynolds, keeps a team of motivated advocates that strengthens the community by pulling them together to meet, collaborate and compare resources. 

Robin and Molly were both honored to receive the letters from Lt. Gen. Jackson.