SIENNA Statement on the Tragic Loss of Nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti

POSITION STATEMENT

Society of Internationally Educated Nurses and Nursing Allies (SIENNA) extends its deepest condolences to the family, loved ones, colleagues, and community of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse whose life was tragically taken in a recent shooting. We grieve not only the loss of a devoted healthcare professional, but also the loss of a human being who dedicated his life to caring for others.

Nursing is a lifelong commitment to service and compassion. Nurses stand beside people at their most vulnerable moments: in illness, in recovery, in fear, and in hope. They advocate for patients who cannot speak, provide comfort in moments of crisis, and work tirelessly to protect life. When a nurse’s life is taken through violence, it is a profound injustice that reverberates across our global nursing community.

As nurses, we are brothers and sisters bound by a shared calling that transcends borders and systems. We stand united in mourning Alex’s death and in affirming that those who dedicate their lives to healing must themselves be safeguarded.

SIENNA firmly believes that meaningful action is required to prevent further loss of life. We call for stronger, evidence-based public safety policies that reduce gun violence and prevent weapons from being used to harm any person. Violence has no place in our communities, and it is especially unconscionable when it claims the lives of healthcare professionals who exist to care and heal.

We urge policymakers and leaders to strengthen safeguards that protect nurses and all members of society. This includes clear and enforceable guidelines to reduce violence and sustained investment in the wellbeing and protection of healthcare workers.

In honouring Alex Pretti’s memory, SIENNA recommits itself to amplifying the voice of nurses, and advocating for policies that uphold the sanctity of life. Let this loss not be in vain. Let it serve as a collective call to protect those who spend their lives protecting others.

Nurses care for the world. The world must now do more to care for its nurses.