ViVE announces $50,000 donation for victims of Nashville school shooting | ViVE Conference

Nashville - The organizers of the ViVE digital health conference announced a donation of $50,000 for the victims of the Covenant School shooting today.

Authorities say three adults and three children were shot and killed at a private Christian school here in Nashville, The Tennessean and other media reported. Authorities said the shooter, who was identified as a female, was shot and killed by police.

The College of Healthcare Management Executives (CHIME) and HLTH, the organizers of the conference, issued a statement Monday afternoon announcing the donation and extending condolences to the victims and their loved ones.

“We mourn the innocent lives lost today,” the groups said. “Our thoughts are with the families, the entire school, and the local healthcare community. We stand with you and we will continue to provide the support your community needs.”

In addition to the donation, the organizers launched a GoFundMe page for conference attendees and the healthcare community to support the families impacted. They said 100% of all funds collected will be donated directly to designated relief funds.

Some of the several thousand healthcare leaders were discussing the horrific shooting at the conference Monday. The conference held a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims.

“Our hearts are heavy,” CHIME and HLTH said in the statement. “Our healthcare community mourns the precious lives lost today. We understand that each individual leader joining us for ViVE will need to navigate this tragedy on their own terms. ViVE is here to support you.”

The conference organizers also noted that gun violence is the number one cause of death of children in the U.S., ahead of cancer and all other diseases, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We will continue to partner together with our digital health leaders around the world to be constant advocates for change powered by support, kindness, and most of all, love,” ViVE organizers said in the statement.

Last month, Northwell Health hosted a forum on gun violence for health leaders. Michael Dowling, Dowling, the chief executive officer of Northwell Health, urged health system leaders to take a greater role in reducing deaths and injuries due to firearms. “Leadership is about inspiration,” Dowling said. “It’s about leading, not following.”

“Many are involved in this, but many are not,” he added.