JOHN G. GUNDERSON M.D.

GUNDERSON, John G., MD Pioneer in the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research of Borderline Personality Disorder Professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, died at home on January 11, 2019, while surrounded by his family. The cause was prostate cancer. In the 1970s, Dr. Gunderson began work to have borderline personality disorder (BPD) formally recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—the handbook used by health care professionals as the authoritative guide to the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders. His seminal studies on BPD helped transform the diagnosis from a psychoanalytic construct into a scientifically established and internationally recognized disorder and earned him recognition as the "father of BPD." "Dr. Gunderson truly pioneered the field of BPD, from setting the standards of diagnosis to developing methods for assessment and through his groundbreaking research, advanced evidence-based treatment," said Scott L. Rauch, MD, president and psychiatrist in chief for McLean Hospital. "Dr. Gunderson's positive impact on the field of psychiatry and the millions of patients and families his work affected is profound and beyond measure." Dr. Gunderson authored 250 papers, 100 reviews, and 12 books, and has been internationally recognized for his work, earning more than 30 national and international awards, including Who's Who in America; International Who's Who in Medicine; America's Best Doctors: The Two Thousand Best Doctors; and Boston Magazine's Best Two Hundred Doctors. Outside of his clinical work, John Gunderson was an accomplished artist. He was also an avid gardener, golfer, and fly fisherman, and played recreational basketball into his 70s. Gunderson is survived by his wife of 53 years, Susan; his son, Craig; his daughter, Kelly; and 5 grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Gunderson's honor may be made to the Gunderson Legacy Fund at McLean Hospital. A Service to celebrate Dr. Gunderson's life will be held at 11am on Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Harvard Memorial Church in Cambridge, MA.

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