Wife of Slain Wellesley Doctor Gives Birth to Baby Girl

Photo: Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Many of us need to constantly be reminded that tragedy, even in its most severe incarnations, does not eclipse joy.

Providing a prime example is the birth of a baby girl by the widow of a cardiac surgeon who was shot and killed at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

The hospital announced Monday that Mikaela Jane Davidson, daughter of late Dr. Michael Davidson and Dr. Terri Halperin, was born April 4, 2015.

Mikaela was born less than three months after the Jan. 20 shooting, which occurred at the hospital’s Carl J. and Ruth Shapiro Cardiovascular Center.

Dr. Davidson was shot by Stephen Pasceri who, according to his relatives, may have considered the doctor responsible for the death of his mother. Pasceri was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound shortly after the shooting was reported.

“At a time when my children and I are completely heartbroken over the loss of Michael, we are finding joy in Mikaela’s arrival,” Halperin said in a statement. “We have been humbled and touched by the tremendous outpouring of love and support coming from family, friends, patients and all those kind-hearted souls who have been moved by Michael’s senseless death.”

Michael Davidson, who was 44, is survived by two other daughters, ages 10 and 8, as well as a 2-year-old son. Mikaela shares her dad’s initials: MJD.