Cardiac Surgeon Dr Michael Davidson tragically shot by one of his patient's son.

Dear Colleagues,

I am heartbroken to inform you that Dr. Michael J. Davidson, director of Endovascular Cardiac Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, has tragically died this evening after sustaining gunshot wounds this morning during the shooting event at the Shapiro Cardiovascular Center.

Dr. Davidson was a wonderful and inspiring bright light and an outstanding cardiac surgeon who devoted his career to saving lives and improving the quality of life of every patient he cared for. It is truly devastating that his own life was taken in this horrible manner.

Dr. Davidson was kind, compassionate and beloved by his colleagues and his patients. He was deeply dedicated to the Brigham. In 2010, he ran the Boston Marathon with Team Brigham to celebrate his 40th birthday. He stated at the time, “There is no better way to commemorate a birthday, run the marathon to achieve a personal goal and, in the process, support Team Brigham and its mission to help so many people.”

He was part of the remarkable team that performed the hospital’s first tricuspid “valve-in-valve” procedure and was involved in establishing the hybrid OR at BWH, once of the most advanced operating rooms in the country. Dr. Davidson graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and then trained at Duke University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, joining our Brigham family in 2006.

The world is a better place because of Dr. Davidson. Let us honor our dear colleague’s memory and legacy by treating each other with kindness and providing the best possible care to those who come to us in need. If you need support, the Employee Assistance Program staff are available for any employees who wish to contact them. The telephone number is 617-732-6017.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. More information on a memorial service will be forthcoming.