This Nurse Survived Domestic Violence—Now She’s Changing How Hospitals Help Victims
Disclaimer: This episode contains a discussion on domestic violence, which can also be known as intimate partner violence or narcissistic abuse, attempted homicide and gun violence. Listener discretion is advised.
If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence relationship, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text the word START to 88788.
Domestic violence is a pervasive and profoundly traumatic experience that can dismantle a person’s sense of safety, identity, and stability. Survivors are often left to rebuild their lives amid physical wounds, emotional trauma, and immense personal loss. When they enter the healthcare system, they don’t just need medical treatment—they need to be seen, heard, and supported with empathy, compassion, and practical resources. Healthcare professionals who understand trauma from the inside out can profoundly transform patient care by bridging the gap between clinical procedures and emotional recovery.
This intersection of personal experience and professional care is explored in a recent Nurse Converse podcast episode hosted by Forensic Nurse Examiner Leah Helmbrecht. Leah welcomes Tamara Sawyers, RN, MSN, a Clinical Nurse Educator and survivor of domestic violence, and Nadirah Burgess, RN, MSN, ONC, Trauma Program Manager at Northside Hospital Gwinnett, for a deeply moving conversation about trauma, resilience, and the critical role of healthcare providers in supporting survivors of domestic abuse.
Tamara’s Story: A Nurse Becomes a Survivor
Tamara Sawyers had dedicated her life to caring for others. After relocating from Florida to Georgia in the wake of Hurricane Wilma, she joined Northside Hospital Gwinnett in 2013 and steadily progressed from PRN trauma nurse to clinical instructor, cardiovascular ICU nurse, and ultimately, supervisor on a gastrointestinal floor. But in September 2021, her life changed forever when she became the patient in her own hospital’s trauma unit.
After 16 years of marriage marked by sporadic abuse, Tamara’s relationship reached a deadly turning point. An argument with her husband escalated into a shooting that left her with six gunshot wounds—four in her abdomen, one in her chest, and one in her hip. Her husband took his own life at the scene, while her teenage children, just 13 and 15, called 911 and administered emergency care that helped save her life.
Still in her scrubs, Tamara remained conscious through the entire ordeal. “I knew exactly what was happening to me,” she recalled. “I was looking at the patient experience from a perspective I’d never been in before.”
Her physical recovery was grueling, and her emotional recovery even more so. But Tamara leaned on her faith, her children, and an unshakable determination to reclaim her life—not just for herself, but for those she would go on to help.
Returning to the Trauma Unit with New Purpose
Following her recovery, Tamara returned to the trauma team at Northside Hospital—not just as a clinician, but as a survivor with a renewed purpose. Her unique position enables her to bring an extraordinary level of empathy and understanding to her patients, particularly those who are recovering from violence. She has chosen to be open about her story, often sharing it with patients who are in despair, showing them that healing is possible.
“When they look at me, I want them to see someone who understands—not just as a nurse, but as a survivor,” she said.
Tamara recalled one moment when she encountered a gunshot victim in the very room where she had once been treated. Sensing his hopelessness, she opened up about her own trauma. Her story inspired him to see a way forward—a testament to the power of peer support and lived experience in trauma care.
Nadirah Burgess: Advancing Trauma Systems with Clinical Insight
Tamara’s story is powerfully supported by the work of Nadirah Burgess, a seasoned nursing professional with over 20 years of clinical experience. She earned her nursing degree from the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University in 2002 and completed her Master of Science in Nursing in 2009, with dual specialization as an Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist and Adult Health Nurse Practitioner.
As Trauma Program Manager at Northside Hospital Gwinnett, Nadirah plays a central role in ensuring high-quality care across the continuum for trauma patients. She works with a multidisciplinary team to develop trauma systems, lead performance improvement initiatives, and uphold national standards—always with a focus on enhancing outcomes and ensuring excellence in trauma care delivery.
The trauma program at Northside is a comprehensive, well-coordinated effort involving a wide array of professionals who support patients both clinically and emotionally:
Clinical Team
- 5 trauma surgeons
- 10 full-time advanced practice providers (APPs), including Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
- 24/7 provider coverage, with APPs on 12-hour shifts and a dedicated night provider
Program Infrastructure
- 4 trauma registrars who track patient data from admission to discharge for quality improvement
- 1 Performance Improvement (PI) coordinator identifying care gaps and leading ongoing enhancement initiatives
Education & Clinical Support
- 1 service line educator focused on provider best practices, trauma guidelines, and clinical tools
- 1 trauma educator delivering system-wide trauma education for new and existing staff
Injury Prevention & Community Outreach
- 1 coordinator focused on education and injury prevention, both within the hospital and in collaboration with EMS, referring hospitals, and community partners
Psychosocial & Spiritual Support
- 1 trauma social worker providing discharge planning and patient support
- 1 behavioral health clinician offering mental health and substance misuse screening
- 1 trauma chaplain delivering spiritual care throughout recovery
Together, this multidisciplinary team ensures that trauma care at Northside Hospital addresses the full spectrum of healing—physical, emotional, and social. As Nadirah shares in the podcast, this integrated model allows clinicians to respond more effectively to the complex needs of trauma patients and build a path forward rooted in compassion and collaboration.
The Trauma Survivor Network
A key part of Northside Hospital’s trauma care is its partnership with the Trauma Survivors Network (TSN)—a national program created by the American Trauma Society in 2008 to support patients beyond their hospital stay.
While trauma care has advanced in reducing deaths and complications, many survivors still struggle emotionally after discharge. At Northside, this gap in care became clear to Nadirah Burgess and her team.
“We identified that while we were meeting patients’ physical needs and coordinating their follow-up care,” Nadirah explained, “there was still a gap in how we supported their recovery once they left the hospital.”
As an institutional member of the American Trauma Society, Northside Hospital had access to the Trauma Survivors Network at no additional cost. It offered a ready-made solution—one that didn’t require building from the ground up—to provide extended support to trauma patients and their families.
TSN helps address long-term recovery challenges by offering:
- Peer support from fellow survivors
- Educational resources for patients and families
- Online communities to reduce isolation
- Grief and emotional support
- Training for healthcare providers on trauma-informed care
At its heart, TSN is about connection and recovery. It helps survivors feel seen, supported, and empowered as they navigate life after injury. Through this network, Northside Hospital ensures that patients receive not just clinical care, but a lasting community of support to aid in their physical, emotional, and psychological healing.
The Need for Tangible Resources and Safe Dialogue
Both Tamara and Nadirah emphasize that survivors need more than encouragement—they need tangible support. Many victims face overwhelming barriers: financial dependence on their abuser, housing insecurity, or lack of access to therapy. Tamara explains that these challenges are often invisible to outsiders but are critical for providers to recognize.
To meet these needs, Tamara advocates for partnerships between hospitals and community organizations that can provide:
- Emergency financial assistance for housing, transportation, or legal aid
- Therapeutic services through trauma-informed mental health care
- Housing referrals to shelters or transitional programs for survivors and their children
By helping survivors access these resources, healthcare teams can provide the stability victims need to begin rebuilding their lives.
Training, Trust, and Trauma-Informed Care
Creating trust within healthcare settings requires intentional training, survivor involvement, and trauma awareness. Nadirah stressed that including survivors like Tamara in program development brings essential insight into what victims truly need. This kind of collaboration makes trauma care more effective and compassionate.
A key part of trauma-informed care is ensuring that survivors feel safe and supported. Many hesitate to speak up due to fear or stigma. Tamara encourages providers to approach these situations with empathy—practicing active listening, avoiding assumptions, and asking, “What can I do for you right now?” This simple question affirms the survivor’s experience and offers support without pressure, helping them regain a sense of control.
Essential elements of trauma-informed care include:
- Listening without judgment
- Respecting each survivor’s pace and choices
- Ongoing training on domestic violence and trauma response
Tamara’s and Nadirah’s work shows that recovery isn’t just about treating injuries—it’s about restoring a sense of dignity, safety, and control. With the right support systems in place, healthcare providers can do more than care for patients—they can help them reclaim their lives.
