The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention opened testimony from Capitol Hill Thursday by acknowledging Amy St. Pierre, an agency employee who was killed in a mass shooting in Atlanta a day earlier.
Ms Walensky said the CDC suffered a “tremendous loss”.
“Amy was a valued member of our team in the Division of Reproductive Health where she worked every day to save the lives of mothers and infants,” Dr. Walensky told the Senate Health Committee. “Our hearts are with her, her family, friends and our colleagues as they remember her and mourn this tragic loss.”
A 24-year-old gunman opened fire at Northside Hospital Medical Midtown, killing St. Pierre, 39, and injuring four other women.
The shooter fled on foot and was captured after a search.
Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, the committee’s top Republican, offered his condolences to Dr. Walensky and Ms. St. Pierre’s family in his opening statement.
“It’s always a tragedy, but [for] that you represent this family, we particularly feel it, ”he said.