Baptist Health Hardin holds pinwheel ceremony to raise awareness about child abuse
(ELIZABETHTOWN, KY) March 28, 2025 – Baptist Health Hardin staff gathered on the front lawn of the hospital today to plant blue pinwheels as part of an annual ceremony that kicks off Child Abuse Prevention Month, observed each year in April.
During the ceremony, coordinated by the hospital’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)/Forensic program, staff planted 169 blue pinwheels – one for each child seen for maltreatment at Baptist Health Hardin in 2024.
Representing hope, happiness, and innocence, the blue pinwheel is a national symbol of child abuse awareness. Blue pinwheels remind the community about the issue of child abuse and present an opportunity for conversations about this difficult topic.
“At Baptist Health Hardin, our SANE/Forensic program remains dedicated to delivering comprehensive, compassionate care to individuals impacted by abuse,” said Kristina Tapio, SANE/Forensic program manager. “Together, we are committed to raising awareness, strengthening prevention efforts, and ensuring effective intervention. Our goal is to foster a safe, supportive environment where children and families can recover and thrive.”
A SANE, or a sexual assault nurse examiner, is a registered nurse specially trained in the forensic examination of adults, adolescents, or pediatric patients who have experienced sexual assault. In addition to providing medical assessment and treatment, SANEs also collect and preserve time-sensitive evidence and must be prepared to testify in legal proceedings. SANE-Ready hospitals have SANE nurses available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Baptist Health Hardin is one of 15 SANE-Ready hospitals in Kentucky.
Tapio stated that in recent years, Kentucky has ranked first in the nation for child maltreatment and currently stands at number 14.
Tapio also expressed deep gratitude to her team. “I want to commend our incredible SANE/Forensic team—the healthcare professionals who work tirelessly, around the clock, to address the medical, forensic, and emotional needs of these vulnerable children. Your unwavering dedication makes a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve."
The Baptist Health Hardin SANE program began at the former Hardin Memorial Health in 2012 with on-call services. The program has grown from seeing 35 patients in the first year to delivering care for more than 600 patients annually and currently employs 15 SANE/Forensic nurses.