Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Adults
- Geriatrics
Languages
- English
Gender
MaleAbout Gavin Peter Dunn
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 Commander in the United States Navy Reserves Medical Corps.
Locations
- Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute Neuro-Oncology Clinic at the Stephen E. and Catherine Pappas Center
- 55 Fruit Street, Yawkey Building, 9th Floor, Suite 9E, Boston, MA 02114
- Get Directions
- phone: 617-591-1114
- fax: 617-726-3365
- Massachusetts General Neurosurgery Clinic
- 55 Fruit Street, White Building, 5th Floor, Suite 502, Boston, MA 02114
- Get Directions
- phone: 617-726-8581
- fax: 617-726-4814
Expertise
Education
- Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital, Neurological Surgery, 2013
- Internship: Massachusetts General Hospital, General Surgery, 2007
- Medical Education: Washington University, 2006
Board Certifications
- Neurological Surgery: American Board of Neurological Surgery, 2016
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 RI
- Medicaid VT
- Medicare
- Multiplan
- Railroad Medicare
- Senior Whole Health
- TriCare
- Tufts Health Plan
- Tufts Medicare Preferred
- United Health Care
- Wellpoint
- WellSense
Ratings & Reviews
4.8 out of 5
66 ratings, 26 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 2/27/2026
The provider was very, very respectful and treated me with dignity and explained everything to me that so I could understand. Thank you.
- Reviewed on 2/20/2026
This doctor is really good with special needs and I'm grateful for the time that he spent with me. Thank you.
- Reviewed on 2/13/2026
Yes, I was incredibly impressed not only with the doctor, his knowledge, his reputation, and the way he interacted with me during the phone call, but the whole system leading up to the phone call has been like clockwork, and I so appreciate that.
- Reviewed on 2/11/2026
This provider and his staff are amazing. I am still feel so very blessed to have had this provider and staff to treat me. They saved my life.
- Reviewed on 2/5/2026
Dr Dunn was very professional, respectful, and considerate. He took his time explaining the results and proposing next steps.
- Reviewed on 1/22/2026
Doctor Dunn had an important surgery so apologized that he couldn't be more attentive. His assistant was most helpful and all was fine. Nothing urgent for me and very grateful for all the attention and care I received when I had my stroke. I have a Had a complete recovery, so very lucky and thankful to all your staff. Regards, [redacted]
- Reviewed on 1/16/2026
Yes, Dr. Dunn was highly knowledgeable, had a great bedside manner, listened very carefully to what I had to say, discussing about my life and, you know, like where I can fit in this surgery. Overall, I highly recommend him to any of my friends, even to the outside world. Yeah, he's an excellent professional. Thank you.
- Reviewed on 1/14/2026
Dr Dunn was extremely caring and was very thorough with explaining the course of care. He is an excellent doctor.
- Reviewed on 12/11/2025
He has excellent patient communication skills and is a warm empathetic person
- Reviewed on 11/9/2025
The collaboration of my care provider so far so good Totally Impressed and Satisfied
- Reviewed on 11/5/2025
This provider was intelligent; shared recent CT Scan report to me & my husband so we were able to understand results. Dr Dunn was kind & caring. We have our surgical date.
- Reviewed on 10/16/2025
Dr. Dunn was very friendly and put me at ease while going over the medical situation . He provided clear reasoning for his recommendations and was very helpful for referrals outside neurosurgery.
- Reviewed on 10/15/2025
Dr Dunn was very professional, & put at ease immediately. I highly recommend him
- Reviewed on 10/8/2025
He appreciated that I had done my homework, explained options in plain words and listened to my concerns. He has my complete confidence.
- Reviewed on 10/8/2025
This was my first visit with this replacement specialist. He was up to date with me & all my medical issues. Made a referral for a neurologist after listening to my conserns. Discussed what he would do going forward with my medical follow up with him. Couldn't have asked for a better dr. Very happy
- Reviewed on 10/8/2025
Expert, caring and there when needed!
- Reviewed on 9/12/2025
Excellent. All what [redacted] was looking for, he filled in every tab exactly someone that I have great confidence by speaking with. And as I will say, he just answered all my concerns.
- Reviewed on 8/27/2025
He listened carefully and explained things very well. He is very kind and calmed my fears...I feel confident I that he is one of the best Dr's to deal and treat my condition.
- Reviewed on 8/6/2025
He was very easy to talk with and explain concerns. Demonstrated professional communication, competence and compassion.
- Reviewed on 7/30/2025
He was perfect in explaining the situation and the way to proceed. Explained in detail the results of the scan and what we need to watch for. It was and excellent visit.
- Reviewed on 7/25/2025
Dr Dunn was wonderful with my [redacted]-yr old daughter and very helpful in explaining and sharing the options (brain tumor surgery) as well as giving his insight as a dad, not just a surgeon. We (my husband and I and of course my daughter) really appreciated that.
- Reviewed on 7/23/2025
I saw Dr. Dunn for the first time, [redacted]. I was completely satisfied. [redacted]
- Reviewed on 7/23/2025
Dr. Dunn is always so patient and shows much compassion in my care and plan for surgery
- Reviewed on 7/16/2025
Very knowledgeable & communicates medical info in simple terms thankfully. I appreciate his approachable demeanor and efforts to make sure you fully understand.
- Reviewed on 5/14/2025
Dr. Gavin was very pleasant, easy to relate to, answered all questions, made recommendations and was overall supportive of planned care.
- Reviewed on 5/7/2025
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.