by Rebecca C. Lee, PhD, MSN, RN, PHCNS-BC, CTN-A, FTNSS, FNAP, President, Transcultural Nursing Society
In Memoriam
The Transcultural Nursing Society mourns the tragic and heartbreaking loss of Alex Pretti, a dedicated intensive care nurse who served Veterans and their families in Minneapolis. Alex was widely respected for professionalism, clinical expertise, and compassion, and for the meaningful care provided to patients and colleagues alike. Through daily acts of service often carried out quietly and without recognition, Alex exemplified the heart of nursing and the profound responsibility nurses carry to care for others in moments of great vulnerability.
This loss is deeply felt across our community. We recognize that many within the nursing profession are experiencing collective grief, shock, sadness, and a sense of profound sorrow. Such moments touch not only those who knew Alex personally, but nurses everywhere who see reflections of their own commitment, values, and lived experiences in this tragedy.
We extend our sincerest condolences to Alex’s family, friends, coworkers, and to all members of the nursing community who are mourning. When a nurse is lost, the grief extends far beyond a single workplace or role; it is shared by a profession bound together by service, empathy, and an enduring commitment to human dignity.
In this time of sorrow, we call upon our members to come together in grief, to support one another with compassion, and to remain grounded in the shared values that unite us as nurses. The American Nurses Association Nursing’s Social Policy Statement reminds us that nursing is a profession dedicated to addressing society’s health needs through care, ethics, advocacy, and a commitment to social justice principles that affirm the inherent worth of every human life.
As a transcultural nursing community, we reaffirm our responsibility to cherish all lives, to uphold human dignity, and to support one another through moments of loss and pain. Guided by our professional values and our shared humanity, we honor Alex Pretti’s life and legacy and stand together in compassion, solidarity, and in support of human rights for all.
We encourage respectful dialogue, kindness, and mutual support as we grieve together as a professional community.