In October 2021, the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) selected Pam Holtzinger, DNP to receive the Virginia A. Lynch Pioneer Award in Forensic Nursing. This is the highest award the Association bestows to honor an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the field of Forensic Nursing. The IAFN is the recognized authority on forensic nursing and is the catalyst for universal access to forensic nursing care for patients impa
cted by violence and trauma.
Dr. Pamela Holtzinger is the forensic nurse at the Child Advocacy Center, providing examination and consultation on pediatric patients, and is a vital and valuable member of Frederick County’s Multidisciplinary Team. Dr. Holtzinger currently manages Frederick Health Hospital’s Forensic Nursing Services to include a comprehensive service response to all ages of patients impacted by violence. She also serves as the Chair for the Frederick County Sexual Assault Response Team and is a founding member of the Frederick County Human Trafficking Response Team.
Dr. Holtzinger has served as a consult to the Maryland Board of Nursing on issues related to forensic nursing practice standards and has been the co-chair for the Standards and Practice Committee drafting the first regulation for Maryland Forensic Nurse practice. She has served with national and regional child maltreatment experts on the Maryland Child Abuse Medical Professionals panel. She has completed regional and international training presentations for nurses and other professionals on a variety of nursing and health related topics including Forensic Nurse Examiner Training courses for both adult and pediatric populations.
She was appointed by the Governor to serve on the State Commission of Child Abuse and Neglect for two terms. She served on the Governor’s Task Force to address untested sexual assault evidence kits in the state and currently is a member of the Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Policy and Funding Committee with the Attorney General’s Office. Dr. Holtzinger collaborated with the Maryland legislative professionals to draft House Bill 1371 to address police training & protocol related to nonfatal strangulation victims, which was signed into law May of 2016. Dr. Holtzinger has testified many times in regional and federal court proceedings as an expert in general nursing practice, forensic nursing, physical and sexual assault, child maltreatment, and strangulation. In 2021, Dr. Holtzinger was appointed to the newly developed Domestic Violence Coordinating Council in Frederick County. Dr. Holtzinger has served as the President of the Maryland DC Chapter of the International Association of Forensic Nurses and has the honor to serve as the current Chair for the Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification Board. Pam Holtzinger exemplifies passion and dedication in every aspect of her professional life and is highly deserving of this honor.
For more information please contact the Frederick County Child Advocacy Center at 301-600-1758 or via e-mail at CACinfo@FrederickCountyMD.gov.