It was supposed to be an ordinary shift in the emergency room. Instead, it sparked a revolution in healthcare.

When rookie nurse Sheila Early treated her first sexual assault victim in 1970, she was armed with nothing but a 34-page instruction booklet — and a profound sense of helplessness. Two decades later, that helplessness fueled action: Sheila founded British Columbia’s first forensic nursing program, reshaping how survivors of violence are treated across Canada and beyond.

In this powerful episode of Forks, Sheila shares her journey from frontline ER nurse to forensic nursing pioneer. We explore how she fought to create the province’s first Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) clinic, trained generations of forensic nurses, co-founded the Canadian Forensic Nurses Association, and helped build a system that now addresses domestic violence, child maltreatment, human trafficking, elder abuse, and more.

Her work has helped thousands find justice and healing — and forged a new path in healthcare where compassion and evidence walk hand-in-hand.

A story of resilience, innovation, and the courage to lead when no roadmap exists.

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All content, including audio, transcripts, and other materials, is owned by the podcast creators (Alexis Hood and Amie Plourde) and cannot be reproduced or redistributed without permission.

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The Forks podcast, available at forkspod.com, is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. The content provided is not a substitute for professional advice, and the hosts are not liable for any actions taken based on podcast discussions.

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