May 25, 2022
From ACEP President Gillian Schmitz, MD, FACEP -
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is devastated by the senseless loss of innocent lives, including 19 children and two teachers, in Uvalde, Texas. Yesterday’s school shooting was a heartbreaking reminder that we are all affected when tragedy befalls any of our ACEP family members’ communities.
This one hit a little more personally, as I work in nearby San Antonio, where my husband and I raise our school age daughters. Several of my colleagues were on shift Tuesday, responding to the trauma arriving at our department. It brought to mind how many times we all have had to provide care for young, innocent victims.
These mass shootings inflict unimaginable horror on our communities, friends, families and loved ones. In the decade since Sandy Hook and only days since Buffalo, emergency physicians have once again absorbed the grief felt in communities nationwide.
Our hearts go out to all families mourning the loss of their loved ones and to the emergency care team members, first responders and all those who valiantly cared for patients in these times of chaos.
We offer support to all emergency physicians, who bear witness to this epidemic as we treat victims of firearms-related violence. We will continue our work to reduce gun violence through research, innovation and evidence-based practice.
We reaffirm our highest priority to ensure the health and safety of the public. We owe it to our children.
Read ACEP's policy statement "Firearm Safety and Injury Prevention" updated and approved October 2019.
