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News and Information - April 2003
This page will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Brian McGovern, MD
co-director,
MGH Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Service

McGovern Family Fund

Statement by Sufolk County D.A. - June 26, 2003

Statement by Brian McGovern's family - June 26, 2003

Boston Globe obituary

Memorial service for patients - Saturday, April 19, 2003

Those wishing to send their condolences
to the McGovern family may do so
via e-mail by clicking here

Statement to MGH Community Released April 10, 2003

TO: MGH Community
FROM: Peter Slavin, MD
MGH President
DATE: April 10, 2003
RE: The Recent Tragedy

I know that employees throughout the hospital are still reeling from the incredibly tragic and unthinkable shootings that took place Tuesday morning within the walls of our own hospital, resulting in the deaths of MGH employees Brian McGovern, MD, and Colleen Mitchell. Violence of this sort seems so totally out of place in a facility devoted to healing and restoring lives, and the lack of explanation as to what caused this horrible event makes it all-the-more frustrating and confusing. There was simply no indication that could have helped us predict or foresee the possibility of such a situation. Dr. McGovern was a greatly loved and respected cardiologist, thoughtful, kind and caring to his patients, as well as a wonderful colleague and friend. Colleen Mitchell, a secretary in the Electrophysiology Laboratory and a former social worker, had worked as a Bulfinch temp for nearly two years in many departments. Those who worked with her and supervised her described her as pleasant, delightful, capable and confident.

It just doesn’t add up. It doesn’t make sense. And the lack of answers is difficult for us. As caregivers, we are dedicated to sorting out symptoms, deciphering our patients’ complex questions and providing answers to them. So when the unexplainable occurs, when questions remain unanswered, the result can be speculation and rumor in an attempt to fill the information void. Unfortunately, certain local media outlets have chosen to run some cruel and unsubstantiated rumors publicly, and as you can imagine, such allegations have been enormously difficult and painful for many grief-stricken families, friends and colleagues.

What we know is that the Boston Police Department late yesterday afternoon released a statement saying it had determined based on autopsy results and preliminary investigation that the deaths were the result of a murder suicide. The statement also said that Colleen Mitchell, who was suffering from depression, shot Dr. McGovern before shooting herself.

We want to make sure that all employees understand that the hospital is a safe place to work. The MGH Police and Security Department walks a fine line between making the workplace safe by minimizing the opportunity for crime and violence while enabling enough access and flexibility for employees, patients, visitors and others to function freely and comfortably. The department uses state-of-the-art security technology - including 950 card readers, 650 panic buttons and 150 closed-circuit cameras - to assist officers in controlling access, responding to situations, and monitoring and recording activities throughout the campus. Staff members are available to evaluate the safety of a specific area and recommend ways to enhance security. In addition, the department conducts criminal record checks as part of the hiring process on all prospective employees. Maintaining positive and productive relationships with local, state and federal law enforcement authorities is also an important role for the department, and MGH Security has been working closely with the Boston Police Department in the investigation of Tuesday’s incident.

An unimaginable horror - the kind of event that happens only elsewhere - occurred right here, right in the midst of our hospital. We don’t understand why, and we may never understand why. What is clear, however, is that this hospital community has once again united in the wake of tragedy to support one another and grieve together through an extraordinarily difficult and emotional time. I am so incredibly proud of the MGH and the remarkable people who are its soul and spirit.

We will hold a leadership meeting next week to discuss issues arising from this incident. Finally, please remember that the Employee Assistance Program, ext. 6-6976, is available to support departments or assist individuals who are upset or feel overwhelmed by this tragic situation.

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Statement to MGH Community Released April 9, 2003

TO: The MGH Community
FROM: Jeff Davis
Senior Vice President for Human Resources
DATE: April 9, 2003
SUBJECT: Yesterday’s Tragedy

Late last night the Boston Police Department released information that Colleen Mitchell, 51, was the other MGH employee who died yesterday in the tragic shooting at the hospital, which also took the life of cardiologist Brian McGovern, MD. Yesterday, staff at the MGH contacted members of Colleen’s family, who are obviously stunned and deeply distressed about the incident, and we are providing whatever information and support we can to them.

Colleen has worked at the MGH since May 2001, when she joined the hospital as a Bulfinch Temp. She had worked in 25 different temporary assignments, ranging from one day to several weeks duration, usually filling in for a secretary on vacation. Many departments used her repeatedly. Those who supervised her work have described her as a “delight to work with,” “nice personality,” “capable,” “confident” and “great sense of humor.” In December 2002, Colleen accepted full-time employment in the Electrophysiology Laboratory, where she had served in a temporary capacity since September. There seems to be nothing in her work record or behavior here that could have led us to predict yesterday’s tragedy.

I realize that many of you knew or worked with Dr. McGovern and Colleen Mitchell, and this may be a particularly difficult time for you. Please know that the Employee Assistance Program is available to offer support and help and can be reached at ext. 6-6976. In addition, the Blum Patient and Family Learning Center is open today for employees who are feeling particularly upset or stressed by the events that occurred yesterday.

I also want to remind you that there continues to be great media interest in this incident, and some employees have received calls from the press asking for information. Please refer all media calls to the Public Affairs Office at ext. 6-2206.

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Statement to MGH Community Released April 8, 2003

The entire MGH community is deeply shocked and tremendously saddened by the death of Brian McGovern, MD, co-director of the hospital's Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Service, who was shot today in a small office in the hospital's Electrophysiology Laboratory. Another employee in the department was also shot in this incident. It appears no one else was involved. We are not releasing the name of the other employee until family members have been notified. Both individuals were taken to the MGH Emergency Department, where they died. We want to emphasize to employees that the Boston Police Department and MGH Police and Security have informed us the hospital is safe for patients and employees.

The details of this tragic event continue to unfold, and the Boston Police Department has asked that we not provide specific information about the incident until the investigation is further along. The hospital has been and will continue to work closely with officials throughout this investigation. We will provide more information to you as it becomes available.

Brian McGovern was a much-loved caregiver, a wonderful colleague and a widely respected expert on cardiac arrhythmias. Personally, I have known Brian since I was a resident in Medicine here in the mid-1980s. He was an extraordinarily devoted and caring physician, who treated his patients and their families with great compassion and kindness. He was a wonderful colleague and a true team player.

Dr. McGovern joined the MGH family in 1981, when he came here as a clinical and research fellow in medicine. He completed fellowships at the MGH in cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology. A native of Dublin, Ireland, Dr. McGovern received his medical degree at the National University of Ireland, and trained in internal medicine at Mater Hospital in Ireland.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Brian's wife, Anne, and their two daughters. And the hearts and prayers of the entire MGH community go out to the family, friends and colleagues who today have suffered an enormous loss. Resources to help support staff during this difficult time are available through the Employee Assistance Program at 6-6976, located on VBK 4. In addition, the Blum Patient and Family Center on White 1 will continue to be open for employees tomorrow.

Peter L. Slavin, MD
MGH President

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HMS Statement Released April 9, 2003

Boston, Mass - Harvard Medical School is deeply saddened by the loss of Brian McGovern, MD, who did his medical training in Ireland and joined the HMS Faculty of Medicine in 1983. He became an assistant professor of medicine in 1989.

Brian, a cardiologist who specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, was an active teacher of medical students, residents, and cardiology fellows at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. In addition, Brian shared his medical expertise with colleagues around the world. He published widely on the subject of cardiac arrhythmias, and was founder and chairman of the Atrial Fibrillation Foundation.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues.

Eleanor Shore, MD
Dean for Faculty Affairs
Harvard Medical School

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