Maria C Castells, MD, PhD
Internal MedicineAllergy and Immunology
Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Adults
- Geriatrics
Languages
- Spanish
- Italian
- French
- English
Gender
FemaleAbout Maria C Castells
Mariana Castells, MD, PhD is a clinician, researcher and teacher at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. She is the Director of the Drug Hypersensitivity and Drug Desensitization Center and of the Mastocytosis Center and has served as the Allergy and Clinical Immunology Training Program Director for over 20 years.
Dr Castells has spearheaded the evaluation and understanding of anaphylaxis and drug hypersensitivity and has developed desensitization protocols which are used as standards around the world, treating thousands of patients with cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases, maintaining these patients on first line therapy. She sees and treat patients with drug allergy, anaphylaxis, mast cell activation disorders, urticaria, immune deficiencies, regular food and environmental allergies and asthma.
Her research has uncovered mast cell inhibitory mechanisms which are pertinent to desensitization and her laboratory is actively pursuing pharmacological candidates to improve the safety and efficacy of desensitizations. She has pioneered the diagnosis and treatment of mast cell activation disorders and mastocytosis and is the PI of clinical trials with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.
Dr Castells served on the Board of Directors of The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), and is now the research chair of the AAAAI Foundation. She is on the Board of Directors for the ABAI, has been at the Editorial Board of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI), the JACI In Practice and Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. She has served at the council of the Collegium Internationale Allergologicum and directs the International Drug Desensitization Meeting (DDIM) in Barcelona, Spain, yearly.
Locations
- Brigham and Women's Allergy and Immunology Clinic
- 850 Boylston Street, Suite 540, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
- Get Directions
- Phone: 617-732-9850
- Fax: 617-731-2748
- Brigham and Women's Allergy and Immunology Clinic
- 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA 02115
- Get Directions
- Phone: 617-732-9850
- Fax: 617-732-5766
Expertise
Education
- Residency: Kansas University Medical Center, Allergy & Immunology, 1990
- Fellowship: Medical College of Virginia, Allergy & Immunology, 1988
- Internship: Kansas University Medical Center, 1980
- Medical Education: Universidat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain, 1979
Board Certifications
- Allergy and Immunology: American Board of Allergy and Immunology, 1995
Insurance
- 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 VT
- Medicare
- Multiplan
- Railroad Medicare
- Senior Whole Health
- TriCare
- Tufts Health Plan
- Tufts Medicare Preferred
- United Health Care
- Wellpoint
- WellSense
Ratings & Reviews
4.9 out of 5
61 ratings, 24 reviewsThe Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
- Reviewed on 5/24/2026
This provider has provided us with life changing care! We were lost before we found her. We can't begin to put into words how much her care has changed our son's life!
- Reviewed on 5/23/2026
Dr. Castells has been my main physician for managing my mast cell activation condition. She has been the one doctor who clearly understands this medical issue, and she has guided me through surgeries and illness.
- Reviewed on 5/16/2026
Dr Castells is an amazing world expert on Mast cell issues. Most providers in my home area are not familiar with these issues so it is very helpful to be able to come here.
- Reviewed on 5/3/2026
Dr. Castells is an extremely competent and knowledgeable physician. What sets her apart is her true vocation to care for her patients that have a very complex medical condition.
- Reviewed on 5/2/2026
Very professional, very friendly, very honest, and I had always been there for questions. I am very lucky to have an I am very lucky to have a doctor like her and explanations and treatment choices. impressive physician.
- Reviewed on 4/29/2026
Thank you Dr. Maria Castells
- Reviewed on 4/3/2026
Very thorough and caring.
- Reviewed on 3/11/2026
Everyone was so nice & helpful. [redacted] Dr Castells was so incredibly nice and provided me with a lot of information about my bone marrow biopsy [redacted], and my many genetical syndromes and 2 autoimmune disorders. Thankfully she was able to advise me on medications for my upcoming mastectomy and talk to me about a few particulars of importance to managing my stress levels (stress makes my mast cells degranulate and there's much sickness with just that alone). So thankful to have Dr Castells as my new allergist
- Reviewed on 3/11/2026
She was excellent and the length of the appointment was appropriate.
- Reviewed on 2/27/2026
Dr. Castells has always been excellent and continues to do so. I've been seeing her since 2014. I'm always learning. I'm always told everything I need to be told. And if anything, the only issue is me remembering everything.
- Reviewed on 2/24/2026
Very pleasant and made me feel comfortable since I've been pushed aside by others in the past she really listened
- Reviewed on 2/27/2026
My provider, Maria Castells, is very capable, professionally respected, and I am pleased and privileged to be able to see her with my condition.
- Reviewed on 1/29/2026
Always treated with respect!
- Reviewed on 12/9/2025
My experience was amazing. The doctor was extremely knowledgeable and kind. I left my visit fully informed and now have a very positive outlook going forward knowing the care I will receive.
- Reviewed on 11/22/2025
Dr Castells was absolutely amazing. She explained my condition to my husband & I thoroughly in easy to understand language. Dr Castells was so kind compassionate & took the time to answer all of our questions & concerns & was so knowledgeable & insightful. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have been seen by Dr Castells for my condition.
- Reviewed on 11/22/2025
I pray that I will be an appropriate patient for a new medication that was proposed for my health issue. It has been difficult for me for several years. My health has certainly been improved upon through my time with Dr Castells and I am most hopeful. So much to gain if possible.
- Reviewed on 11/21/2025
Dr Castells is the best of the best.She is absolutely one of a kind ,her knowledge,expertise,research,and kindness are unsurpassed.
- Reviewed on 10/31/2025
Dr. Castells is my main physician, and I feel utterly confident in her ability to help me with my health issues.
- Reviewed on 10/19/2025
I am so grateful to have Dr Castells as my physician provider.
- Reviewed on 9/10/2025
The Best!
- Reviewed on 9/8/2025
EXCELLENT DR, VERY KNOWLEDGABLE, COMPASSIONATE AND KIND
- Reviewed on 8/14/2025
It was honestly one of the best appointment in my life! I felt validated and understood for the first time ever. Dr. Castells is not only an amazing knowledgeable doctor but she is extremely empathetic and kind. I was so happy that someone finally seemed to understand what my life has been living with this disorder.
- Reviewed on 8/14/2025
She is an outstanding, knowledgeable, and caring Doctor. My experience has been outstanding for care for many, many years. She explains the issues and helps me when needed for support for surgery. You are indeed fortunate to have her on your Staff.
- Reviewed on 8/15/2025
Hi, Dr. Maria Castells is the best doctor I have ever worked with in my life. She is thorough, compassionate, and extremely knowledgeable. And she has kept me alive for the last 17 years of my life, and not only alive, but doing well. and I appreciate her more than anyone could ever guess.