Leonard L. Gunderson, MD, MS, FASTRO is Emeritus Professor and Consultant to the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is co-author of Clinical Radiation Oncology, 3rd Edition, which was called “a comprehensive, detailed review of clinical radiation oncology” by Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

At the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Gunderson held leadership positions for more than 22 years.  He was the only radiation oncologist to serve as chair of the Department of Oncology (Divisions of Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, and Oncology Research). Dr. Gunderson also served as chair of Radiation Oncology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona (MCA) and deputy director for Clinical Affairs at the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center – Arizona.

As president of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), Dr. Gunderson has extensive involvement in ASTRO Refresher Courses/Education Sessions, ASTRO panels and the scientific program committee. Dr. Gunderson has a long history of leadership with the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) as chair of the RTOG Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Committee/GI Steering Committee and vice-chair for Disease Sites.

Dr. Gunderson has conducted clinical research and has made important patient care contributions in rectal, gastric, pancreas, biliary tract, and anal cancers. He has been vice-chair of the Lower GI Cancer Task Force for the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and has had a significant role in modifying cancer staging for colorectal cancer for the 6th and 7th editions of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual.

Dr. Gunderson received his medical degree from the University of Kentucky, and he completed a surgical internship at the University of Utah Hospital and a residency/fellowship in radiation oncology at the Latter-Day Saints Hospital. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology.

Related Authors: Joel E. Tepper, MD