Jean Cheek
December 2025
Jean
Cheek
,
DNP, RN, SANE-A
Forensic Nurse Examiner Team
VCU Health
Richmond
,
VA
United States
Dr. Cheek’s career is a testament to the power of nursing to transform lives, communities, and systems. Her legacy is one of service, innovation, and advocacy.
The following excerpts provide a peek into the exemplary compassion Jean has given over the past 25 years.
Forensic nursing is a small, specialized field, yet it makes an enormous impact on some of society’s most vulnerable individuals. Many outside the forensic profession may know little about forensic nursing or the pioneers who have shaped it, molding it into a vital force for good in a world marred by violence. Therefore, it is my honor to nominate Jean, a true leader and trailblazer in forensic nursing.
Jean devoted over 25 years to advancing the nursing field. Since beginning her nursing career, she has spent the last two decades transforming Virginia Commonwealth University Health’s Forensic Nurse Examiner Team. Starting in 2002 as its coordinator, Jean built this specialized nursing service from the ground up; she trained all our team’s forensic nurses, who arrived with no prior forensic background, into highly skilled, confident, and independent nurses. Her leadership is distinguished not only by clinical expertise but also by an unwavering commitment to mentorship, advocacy, and fostering professional growth.
Jean’s mentorship goes beyond traditional boundaries. She is always accessible, offering guidance and reassurance during complex forensic cases, no matter the hour. This availability has been a lifeline for the team, empowering nurses to provide the highest quality care even in the most challenging circumstances. I called Jean more times than I can remember, often at three o’clock in the morning, for advice or reassurance regarding a patient’s care.
Despite the hour, Jean was engaged and encouraging. Jean’s encouragement, however, isn’t just available in the middle of the night; it is present at all hours of the day. It was Jean’s encouraging guidance and support that proved pivotal in my own recent professional advancement from Clinician III to Clinician V on the clinical ladder. Without Jean’s championing, I would not have had the confidence to navigate the rigorous portfolio writing and promotion process. This is just one example of how deeply Jean invests in the success of every team member.
To continually enhance our forensic expertise, Jean champions ongoing professional development, arranging opportunities such as forensic nursing bootcamps and other advanced training. She often covers the vacated shifts herself to ensure patient care is never compromised during these educational pursuits, which serves as an admirable example of her selfless dedication to both the forensic team and the patients we serve.
Through her visionary leadership, steadfast mentorship, and passionate advocacy, she transformed forensic nursing and inspired countless nurses to strive for excellence both in clinical practice and within themselves. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be part of this health system and this forensic nursing team because of Jean. Despite her many responsibilities, she always makes time to prioritize opportunities to seek and achieve the best for each of us.
***
Jean served in multiple roles within the International Association of Forensic Nurses, including the President of the Virginia Chapter, Chair of the Membership, Research, and Nominations Committees, and as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Forensic Nursing. Her commitment to professional development is evident in her mentorship of nurses, her adjunct faculty roles, and her frequent presentations at national and state conferences.
Jean’s scholarly contributions, including her DNP project focused on improving follow-up care for sexual assault survivors, demonstrate her dedication to evidence-based practice and quality improvement. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including the IAFN Forensic Nurse Excellence Award, the VCU Title IX Trailblazer Award, and the Mrs. Braxton Legacy Award.
Beyond her professional achievements, Jean is a compassionate educator and community advocate. She regularly presents to high school students on healthy relationships and forensic nursing, fostering awareness and prevention among youth. Her warmth, integrity, and unwavering commitment to vulnerable populations make her a role model for nurses everywhere. Dr. Cheek’s career is a testament to the power of nursing to transform lives, communities, and systems. Her legacy is one of service, innovation, and advocacy. I can think of no one more deserving of the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award.
Forensic nursing is a small, specialized field, yet it makes an enormous impact on some of society’s most vulnerable individuals. Many outside the forensic profession may know little about forensic nursing or the pioneers who have shaped it, molding it into a vital force for good in a world marred by violence. Therefore, it is my honor to nominate Jean, a true leader and trailblazer in forensic nursing.
Jean devoted over 25 years to advancing the nursing field. Since beginning her nursing career, she has spent the last two decades transforming Virginia Commonwealth University Health’s Forensic Nurse Examiner Team. Starting in 2002 as its coordinator, Jean built this specialized nursing service from the ground up; she trained all our team’s forensic nurses, who arrived with no prior forensic background, into highly skilled, confident, and independent nurses. Her leadership is distinguished not only by clinical expertise but also by an unwavering commitment to mentorship, advocacy, and fostering professional growth.
Jean’s mentorship goes beyond traditional boundaries. She is always accessible, offering guidance and reassurance during complex forensic cases, no matter the hour. This availability has been a lifeline for the team, empowering nurses to provide the highest quality care even in the most challenging circumstances. I called Jean more times than I can remember, often at three o’clock in the morning, for advice or reassurance regarding a patient’s care.
Despite the hour, Jean was engaged and encouraging. Jean’s encouragement, however, isn’t just available in the middle of the night; it is present at all hours of the day. It was Jean’s encouraging guidance and support that proved pivotal in my own recent professional advancement from Clinician III to Clinician V on the clinical ladder. Without Jean’s championing, I would not have had the confidence to navigate the rigorous portfolio writing and promotion process. This is just one example of how deeply Jean invests in the success of every team member.
To continually enhance our forensic expertise, Jean champions ongoing professional development, arranging opportunities such as forensic nursing bootcamps and other advanced training. She often covers the vacated shifts herself to ensure patient care is never compromised during these educational pursuits, which serves as an admirable example of her selfless dedication to both the forensic team and the patients we serve.
Through her visionary leadership, steadfast mentorship, and passionate advocacy, she transformed forensic nursing and inspired countless nurses to strive for excellence both in clinical practice and within themselves. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be part of this health system and this forensic nursing team because of Jean. Despite her many responsibilities, she always makes time to prioritize opportunities to seek and achieve the best for each of us.
***
Jean served in multiple roles within the International Association of Forensic Nurses, including the President of the Virginia Chapter, Chair of the Membership, Research, and Nominations Committees, and as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Forensic Nursing. Her commitment to professional development is evident in her mentorship of nurses, her adjunct faculty roles, and her frequent presentations at national and state conferences.
Jean’s scholarly contributions, including her DNP project focused on improving follow-up care for sexual assault survivors, demonstrate her dedication to evidence-based practice and quality improvement. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including the IAFN Forensic Nurse Excellence Award, the VCU Title IX Trailblazer Award, and the Mrs. Braxton Legacy Award.
Beyond her professional achievements, Jean is a compassionate educator and community advocate. She regularly presents to high school students on healthy relationships and forensic nursing, fostering awareness and prevention among youth. Her warmth, integrity, and unwavering commitment to vulnerable populations make her a role model for nurses everywhere. Dr. Cheek’s career is a testament to the power of nursing to transform lives, communities, and systems. Her legacy is one of service, innovation, and advocacy. I can think of no one more deserving of the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award.