BUFFALO, NY – Workers at the Erie County Medical Center rallied outside the hospital on Wednesday in solidarity with the black community after what authorities say was a racially motivated shooting at Tops on Jefferson Avenue left 10 people.

ECMC is a safety net hospital and welcomes all patients regardless of insurance status.

When shootings occur in the area, victims are often taken to ECMC, which was the case for survivors as of Saturday. Not only do staff members deal with trauma on a daily basis, but the impact of Saturday’s shooting was far-reaching.

“Life happens so fast, like Saturdays,” said Dr. Michelle Swygert-Seay, Clinical Patient Care Liaison. “The life of our community has changed. This has been changing for years, but this massacre has truly affected our community in an indescribable way.

Staff were joined by ECMC executive leaders, Erie County Legislative Speaker April Baskin, and church leaders.

Dr Swygert-Seay said she and her colleagues were taking the tragedy day by day and her management was rolling out additional mental health programs for staff.

Anyone seeking mental health support is encouraged to call ECMC at 716-898-3000 and ask for the help center.