Gavin Dunn, MD, PhD
Gavin Dunn, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Neurosurgery
Director, Center for Brain Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy
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
-
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=dunn+gp&sort=date
Reviews: Comments and Ratings
A Top Hospital in America
Mass General is recognized as a top hospital on the U.S. News Best Hospitals Honor Roll for 2024-2025.
Dr. Dunn is exceptional and highly respected. I greatly appreciated his professionalism and the outstanding care he provided throughout the procedure and afterward.
Dr. Dunn is an excellent provider. I am totally confident in his hands and feel very blessed to have him as my doctor.
The Doctor as awesome.
I am convinced that Dr. Dunn is one of Mass General's best doctors. He truly goes above and beyond. He's not only knowledgeable in his field, but he also has a way of explaining things in a way that everyone can understand. He's empathetic, funny and extremely friendly. You and all his patients are lucky to have him.
Dr. Dunn was prompt and very familiar with my situation. He explained everything in detail and gave us his opinion on the options. I applaud your arranging this second opinion and trust in Dr. Dunn's expert knowledge and advice.
I could not have asked for better care
Dr. Dunn and Dr. [redacted] spent almost an hour with me for a consultation. This was by far the best consultation I have had for my cranioplasty. They listened to all my concerns and explained every aspect of the procedure and points of concern.
he was patient and explained things in terms I could understand. He saw concern on my face and eased my worries.
This is my first appointment, so it's difficult to judge. However, I would say that he was very personable and listened to me.
He's the best.