Ascension Wisconsin Forensic Nurse Named 2026 Nurse of the Year

Leah Eckhart, RN, Fox Valley SANE/Forensic Nursing Coordinator for the Ascension Mobile Sexual Assault Treatment Center, has been named a 2026 Nurse of the Year by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in partnership with the Wisconsin Nurses Association. Eckhart was one of just three nurses across Wisconsin selected for the prestigious recognition.

The award honors nurses who demonstrate exceptional leadership, compassionate care and a lasting impact on their patients and communities. Eckhart was recognized for her critical role in expanding forensic nursing services across the Fox Valley and for her unwavering commitment to patients navigating some of life's most traumatic experiences.

"Forensic nursing is a fascinating and unique portion of healthcare, by bridging the gap between healthcare and the legal system," Eckhart said in the published profile. "We can ensure medical care is provided and also provide services that can be beneficial in the court system, regardless of whether patients report to law enforcement."

Eckhart has spent more than 20 years in nursing, with previous specialties in oncology and hospice care before transitioning into forensic nursing. She now cares for patients experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse and human trafficking.

Her work extends beyond medical treatment to include evidence collection, injury documentation, forensic photography and courtroom testimony when needed. However, colleagues and patients most often praise her compassionate, patient-centered approach during moments of profound vulnerability.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the program Eckhart leads is its mobile model of care. Rather than requiring patients to travel to a centralized location, the Ascension forensic nursing team brings specialized services directly to hospitals and care settings across the region, removing barriers to timely, trauma-informed care.

"One thing that's unique about our program is that we're a mobile unit," Eckhart said. "We have removed that barrier for patients, which is incredible."

Under Eckhart's leadership, the forensic nursing program has expanded both its team and its reach across multiple Ascension locations throughout the Fox Valley, ensuring more patients have access to specialized support when they need it most.

Eckhart said the greatest reward of her work comes from helping patients regain a sense of strength and control during deeply difficult circumstances.

"I count it as a privilege that someone would trust me with that pain and that hurt," she said. "And allow me to offer them options to start to restore some of that power and control that was taken from them."

This recognition reflects Ascension Wisconsin's ongoing commitment to caring for the most vulnerable members of the communities it serves and highlights the extraordinary dedication of nurses like Eckhart who provide hope, advocacy and healing every day.