L. Dade Lunsford, MD

L. Dade Lunsford, MD is the Lars Leksell Professor and Distinguished Professor at the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. He is also director of the Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and an internationally recognized authority on stereotactic surgery, radiosurgery, and minimally invasive surgery.

In 1987, Dr. Lunsford was responsible for bringing the Gamma Knife to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the first center in the United States to offer this state-of-the-art, minimally invasive form of brain surgery.

Dr. Lunsford received his medical degree in 1974 from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed his internship in surgery at the University of Virginia Hospital and his residency in neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. Following a one-year fellowship in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery at the Karolinska institute in Stockholm, Sweden—studying with professors Lars Leksell and Erik-Olof Backlund—he joined the Department of Neurological Surgery faculty in 1981.

He is an active staff member of several UPMC hospitals and was president of the medical staff at UPMC Presbyterian from 1999-2001 and past president of the Council of Clinical Chairs for the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2001-2003. Dr. Lunsford chairs the UPMC Health System Technology and Innovative Practice committee and co-chairs the UPMC Brain Mapping (MEG) Center.

Dr. Lunsford has been board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery since 1983. He is the author of 515 published articles and 241 book chapters as well as the editor or co-editor of eleven books.

Dr. Lunsford also served as department chairman for ten years, stepping down in July of 2006 to devote more time to his clinical work, clinical investigation, and resident and fellow training.

Dr. Lunsford's publications can be reviewed through the National Library of Medicine's publication database.

Board Certifications

American Board of Neurological Surgery

Hospital Privileges

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
UPMC Presbyterian
UPMC Shadyside

Professional Organization Membership

AANS/CNS Joint Section for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (chairman, 1995-97)
Allegheny County Medical Society
American Academy of Neurological Surgery
American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Fellow
American College of Surgeons, Fellow
American Medical Association
American Pain Society
American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (president, 1995-97)
Congress of Neurological Surgeons
Elekta Scientific Advisory Board
International Association for the Study of Pain
International Radiosurgery Association, Chairman, Medical Advisory Board
International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society, Co-Founder and President, 1991-1993.
Japan Neurosurgical Society, Guest Member
Mid-Atlantic Neurosurgical Society
North American Gamma Knife Consortium, Chairman
North American Skull Base Society
Pennsylvania Medical Society
Pennsylvania Neurosurgical Society
Phi Sigma Biological Society
Pittsburgh Neuroscience Society
Society for Neuro-Oncology
Society of Neurological Surgeons
University of Virginia Alumni Association, Regional Selection Committee, Jefferson Scholars Program
World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery
Research Advisory Committee of the Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation

Media Appearances

Gamma Knife surgical team marks 25 years since first test
August 13, 2012
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Repeat Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Fixes Most Brain AVMs
April 20, 2011 
Medscape Today News

A drug’s unintended use restores the gift of hearing
July 9, 2009
Boston Globe

St. Joes - 3 OF A KIN: The Calathes brothers are in each other's corners
January 15, 2008 
Philadelphia Daily News

New Perfexion Gamma Knife unit installed at UPMC Presbyterian (.mov)
October 9, 2007
WTAE-TV Pittsburgh

Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery (.wmv)
August 11, 2005
Sky Radio