April 16, 2004

Celebrating an exceptional life: Remembering Brian McGovern, MD

He will always be remembered as a remarkable physician, a devoted husband, a doting father, a trusted colleague and a loyal friend. Brian McGovern, MD, (below) the MGH cardiologist who was tragically killed last year, touched the lives of many people. One year has passed since the April 8 murder-suicide that claimed McGovern's life and shocked the MGH community. And to mark this first milestone, many of his friends, co-workers, patients and family members have been ommemorating his life and cherishing the memory of this beloved man who meant so much to so many.

For some, remembering McGovern meant celebrating his life in the same way he lived his life — with passion, enthusiasm and with a general feeling of fun and humor. Friends, colleagues, patients and family members gathered Feb. 27 at the Seaport Hotel in Boston for a special event called "Celebrate Brian" to honor McGovern's Irish heritage and fun-loving spirit. Muriel Corcoran, the executive administrator of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Service who had worked with McGovern for almost 20 years, helped coordinate the event, which featured an Irish band, step dancers and traditional Irish cuisine.

"We wanted to celebrate Brian the way we remembered him and honor what he stood for," Corcoran says. "He was such a positive, fun-loving person — full of life. He had the gift of making people laugh. So, we wanted this event to be a big party. Brian would have had a ball."

Many who attended the event knew McGovern through his work with the Atrial Fibrillation Foundation, an organization that he founded in 2001. The foundation supports patient education and independent research in atrial fibrillation, the most common serious heart rhythm disturbance. The foundation staff and volunteers have vowed to continue his vision to support patients and their families.

Others who knew McGovern recognized this tremendous loss by gathering together in quiet reflection and meaningful prayer at a special service held in the MGH Chapel April 8. Attended mostly by staff from the Electrophysiology Laboratory and Arrhythmia Service, the Cardiac Step-Down Unit and others who had worked closely with McGovern, the service paid tribute to his memory with music, spiritual readings and prayers. Harpists Margot Chamberlain and Sarah McKee performed soothing songs, such as "Carolan's Dream," "Deus meus, Adjuva Me" and "Lament." Flutist John Hurley, who also was a patient of McGovern's, played Irish tunes, such as "The King of Love My Shepherd Is" and "St. Patrick's Breast Plate" in McGovern's memory. Rev. Felix Ojimba and Rev. Mary Martha Thiel shared inspirational readings in his honor. Harp music was played throughout the day for those who wanted to visit the Chapel to quietly pay their respects to McGovern's memory.

"The best that we can do to remember Brian is to continue to celebrate his life and
to remember his legacy of love, service and devotion to others," said Ojimba.

McGovern had an extraordinary 23-year career at the MGH. During his tenure, he was well known as a doctor's doctor — a physician who many colleagues confided in, consulted with and looked to for advice and wisdom. He built one of the largest cardiology practices in New England and was widely known as an expert in cardiac arrhythmia.

He was a sought-after lecturer, a highly respected teacher, and in addition to his
commitment to patient care, he devoted much time to important clinical research. For many years, he served as medical director for the Ellison 10 Cardiac Step-Down Unit. Every Wednesday McGovern traveled to Albany, NY, to see patients at the highly successful outreach arrhythmia program that he founded and built.

"While one year has passed since this incomprehensible tragedy took place, those who were closest to Brian have spent these past twelve months remembering his deep devotion to his family, his profound dedication to his patients, and his unflagging support of his colleagues and friends," says Jeremy Ruskin, MD, a colleague of McGovern's in MGH Cardiology and a close friend. "As the journey of healing continues for all who were so deeply wounded by his loss, Brian's legacy lives on through wonderful memories of him and the inspiration his example will always provide. We honor him every day in caring for our patients and each other."