WIA Statement on Gun Violence

Dear WIA Supporters,

We are shocked, angered, and distraught by the Robb Elementary School shooting. Gun violence is a public health crisis. Death and disability from gun violence is preventable.

As women anesthesiologists, we care for patients of all ages who are victims of gun violence. Many of us are also mothers. Firearm-related deaths now exceed motor vehicle-related deaths in children and adolescents. (https://acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M19-2441). We want to extend our recognition and deep gratitude to all the teachers and support staff at the schools, who selflessly care and are willing to place their lives in defense of our children.

We honor the moments of silence for the victims of gun violence, but the silencing of lives by gun violence cannot be tolerated, and moments of silence are not action for change. We cannot be silent any longer. We will not be silent any longer. We are done with the destruction imposed on our patients and our children. Women in Anesthesiology (WIA) supports the stances of many medical organizations that have lobbied over the years to address, through research, legislation, and action, the ongoing epidemic and health crisis of gun violence.

Gun violence must be stopped. The solution is very complex and requires action on multiple fronts. We invite you to join our Board of Directors in doing so. Please consider donating to the American Association for Firearm Injury Reduction in Medicine) AFFIRM: https://affirmresearch.org/donate-1. We also call upon you raise your voices by contacting your Senators and Representatives in Congress (https://www.senate.gov/general/contacting.htm) and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (president@asahq.org) to advocate for true action to address the epidemic, for immediate crisis control and long-term sustainable solution.

–Women in Anesthesiology Board of Directors