Following is a message from Dean Melina Kibbe, MD, sent to alumni on Monday, November 14, 2022:

Dear UVA School of Medicine Alumni,

By now, there is no doubt that you have heard the tragic news about the shooting at your beloved alma mater today. It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that I send you a message about this tragic and senseless act of violence on University Grounds.

Today is a sad day for UVA graduates and our community of students, staff, faculty, and team members. Like many of you, we are devastated by today’s tragic and senseless deaths of three UVA students and we ask that you all join us in extending our deepest sympathies to the families, friends, and loved ones of Lavel Davis Jr., Devin Chandler, and D’Sean Perry. Their lives were cut short as a result of last night’s horrible tragedy. As I write this message, there are still two students receiving care for their injuries under the watchful eye of our best medical teams at UVA Health. We also ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers this evening and in the coming days.

None of us are ever truly prepared for a crisis like this to happen at our home institution. However, it is through the comfort of our classmates, friends and families that we all move forward together in the days ahead. It is my hope you can share a positive UVA experience with your friends and family this evening to help us all get through this extremely difficult time.

UVA is a special place – I see the strength of the University every day all across Grounds. I see strength in our School of Medicine students, faculty, and staff. I see strength in our Alumni who are both resilient and compassionate and I know we will all join hands this evening as a UVA family to comfort each other, our student body, and the families of those students that were tragically taken from us.

Please stay safe and be well,

Melina Kibbe, MD
Dean, UVA School of Medicine