About Gavin Dunn, MD, PhD
Dr. Dunn is a board-certified neurosurgeon who specializes in neurosurgical oncology. At MGH, he is the Director of the Center for Brain Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy. His practice centers on the management of patients with primary and metastatic brain cancers as well as general neurosurgical conditions. He has a comprehensive background employing technological adjuncts such as awake surgery, cortical mapping, laser ablation, fluorescence-guided surgery, and stereotactic radiosurgery. He is a fellow and member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) and Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), and member of the Board of Directors of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO).
Born in London, Dr. Dunn grew up in central Missouri and graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University. He received his MD and PhD degrees in the Medical Scientist Training Program at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis where his doctoral work in cancer immunology was performed with Dr. Robert Schreiber. He completed his neurosurgical training at the Massachusetts General Hospital, where he conducted postdoctoral research in functional cancer genomics with Dr. William Hahn at the Broad Institute and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Prior to joining MGH, Dr. Dunn was an Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery and a Bursky Scholar in the Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs at Washington University where he was also the Director the Neurological Surgery Residency Training Program.
Dr. Dunn’s NIH-funded research program focuses on understanding the immune response to brain tumors and the fundamental basis of CNS immunobiology in order to improve the lives of patients with brain cancers. His work on the Brain Tumor Immunity cycle involves preclinical models as well as translational work and has resulted in the development of novel personalized cancer vaccine clinical studies. He is a co-chair of a clinical trial through the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Neuro-Oncology focused on recurrent glioblastoma.
Dr. Dunn is also a Captain in the United States Navy Reserves Medical Corps.
Clinical Interests:
- Astrocytoma
- Cortical mapping and awake surgery
- Fluorescence-guided Surgery
- Glioblastoma
- Glioma
- Laser interstitial thermal therapy
- Meningiomas
- Metastatic Brain Tumor
- Neurotrauma
- Oligodendroglioma
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Treats:
- Adult
Locations
Mass General Surgery
55 Fruit St.
White Building
Suite 506
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-726-4922
Medical Education
- MD, Washington University
- Residency, Massachusetts General Hospital
American Board Certifications
- Neurological Surgery, American Board of Neurological Surgery
Accepted Insurance Plans
- Aetna
- Beech Street
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
- Cigna
- Commonwealth Care Alliance
- Coventry
- Fallon Health
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Humana
- Mass General Brigham Health Plan
- MassHealth
- Medicaid CT
- Medicaid ME
- Medicaid NH
- Medicaid RI
- Medicaid VT
- Medicare
- Medicare ACO
- Multiplan
- Railroad Medicare
- TriCare
- Tufts Health Plan
- United Health Care
- Wellpoint
Note: This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown; please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.
Publications
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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=dunn+gp&sort=date
I am going through the most scariest process of my life right now dealing with a brain mass and this Dr and his nurse on the consultation visit put me totally at ease and made me feel comfortable and confident and I realize that I am in really great hands of a skilled neurosurgeon and staff. I don't have any worries.
Kind and caring and knowledgeable
This provider explains things in a detailed manner and displays test results at the same time while pointing out potential areas for concern. This provider also has a calm and caring manner with patients.
Extremely thankful for all their concern and help.
Clearly explained my scans. Answered my questions. Laid out a plan for ongoing care.
This was a quick follow-up on a somewhat major procedure [redacted] that I barely knew occured. Due to the skills of Dr. Dunn & his team, I experienced little to no pain, the results where amazing, and had it not been for the bad haircut, no one would have noticed! 2 weeks later, I'm on the mend and completed the necessary treatment. So far so ... Read More
I was surprised I wasn't asked about any possible dizziness, light headed episodes.
Amazing man! Courteous, friendly, down to earth, concerned, patient....all those things we want our provider to be!
I trust and respect Dr. Dunn and his nurse, [redacted] completely.
Dr. Dunn is exceptional and highly respected. I greatly appreciated his professionalism and the outstanding care he provided throughout the procedure and afterward.