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DeKalb Rape Crisis Center Honors DeKalb Medical Center Physician Assistant for Longtime Support and Dedication

Decatur, Ga. (May 4, 2006) – In honor of her longtime work and dedication, the DeKalb Rape Crisis Center (DRCC) honored DeKalb Medical Center physician assistant Jo Stearns during National Crime Victim’s Rights Week, which was April 23 – 28.

Stearns is a physician assistant in DeKalb Medical Center’s emergency department and has worked with the DRCC for 15 years, volunteering her skills as an expert witness as well as training more than 800 volunteer crisis advocates, physicians and nurses.

Mark Dehler, chairman of the DRCC board (left); Jo Stearns, physician assistant at DeKalb Medical Center and DRCC volunteer; Tonja Holder, director of Development, DRCC; Bob Wilson, member of both DRCC and DeKalb Medical Centers boards; Dr. Stephen Holbrook, medical director of Emergency Services, DeKalb Medical Center.

“Jo is dedicated to the medical care of sexual assault victims,” said Stephen Holbrook, M.D, medical director of emergency services at DeKalb Medical Center. “She truly deserves this recognition.”

According to Holbrook, Stearns has been instrumental in designing the DeKalb County medical evaluation guidelines for sexual assault victims, which are the model for the state’s guidelines. And she has lectured extensively to medical and legal professionals across the state and nationally.

“Jo Stearns has done more than anyone to build the bridge between the DeKalb Rape Crisis Center, victims and this hospital,” said attorney Bob Wilson, a member of both the DRCC and DeKalb Medical Center boards, at a DeKalb Medical Center event to commend Stearns. “She does it because her heart tells her to do it. The Rape Crisis Center succeeds to a level we never dreamed it could because of her work.”

Mark Dehler, chairman of the DRCC board (left) presents a certificate of thanks to Jo Stearns, physician assistant at DeKalb Medical Center for her years of service to the DRCC.

Stearns said she couldn’t have made these advances in helping sexual assault victims alone.

“Over the years, we have developed a dedicated multidisciplinary team that provides comprehensive care to the survivor of sexual assault,” Stearns said. “We have made great strides toward improving the care that survivors receive, yet realize there is still much work to be done, not only in supporting these victims, but also in public education and prevention of sexual assault. I appreciate the support and devotion of my team members, as well as the support that DeKalb Medical Center has given to us.”

Serving the community since 1961, DeKalb Medical Center is a not-for-profit hospital system that includes the 451-bed DeKalb Medical Center on North Decatur Road in Decatur, the 76-bed DeKalb Medical Center at Decatur in downtown Decatur and the 100-bed DeKalb Medical Center at Hillandale in Lithonia. A leader in progressive medical technology delivered by a highly qualified and caring staff, the hospital system serves approximately 500,000 patients annually and offers a variety of community outreach programs.

DeKalb Rape Crisis Center opened its doors in 1989 and began serving sexual assault survivors in its community. Services range from crisis counseling through a 24/7 hotline to individual and group therapy to legal advocacy and follow-up care. Last year, Jo Stearns and her staff helped DRCC provide care and support to more than 460 survivors.