December 3, 2015
Stacey Mitchell, a national leader in the field of forensic nursing, has been appointed by
Houston Mayor Annise Parker to the Board of Directors of the Houston Forensic
Science Center (HFSC). The Houston City Council on Wednesday confirmed the
appointment of Ms. Mitchell, the administrative director of Harris Health System’s Risk
Management/Patient Safety and Forensic Nursing Services.
“I am honored to have been appointed to this position by City Council,” Ms. Mitchell
said. “I am very excited and look forward to serving on the board.”
Ms. Mitchell brings valuable experience in forensic nursing to the HFSC board. In the
past, Ms. Mitchell’s experience has also assisted the Center as it worked with the
Houston Police Department and other community stakeholders to eliminate a decadesold backlog of sexual assault kits. Ms. Mitchell’s experience helped the group research
what led to the backlog of 6,663 rape kits _ some dating back to the early 1980s _ and
find ways to avoid similar problems in the future.
Ms. Mitchell, who has practiced forensic nursing for more than 20 years, is the recipient
of the 2015 International Association of Forensic Nursing’s Virginia Lynch Pioneer
Award, the highest award the association bestows on individuals who have made
exceptional contributions to the field.
On April 3, 2014, the Houston Forensic Science Center took over operation of the
Houston Police Department Crime Lab, Crime Scene Unit and parts of its Identification
Division.
HFSC is overseen by a Board of Directors appointed by the Mayor of Houston and
confirmed by City Council.
HFSC currently operates in nine forensic disciplines.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Ramit Plushnick-Masti
Public Information Officer
media@houstonforensicscience.org
713-929-6768
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