Ross David Merkin, MD

Ross David Merkin, MD

Not currently accepting new patients

4.893103 average rating from 116 patient reviews

Specialties

Affiliation

Mass General Brigham

Provider Locations

  • Newton, MA
  • Boston, MA

Ross Merkin, MD is a medical oncologist in the Center for Head and Neck Cancers at Mass General Cancer Center. He is also an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Merkin graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts in 2011 with a BS in biology. He then earned his MD degree from SUNY Stony Brook University School of Medicine in Stony Brook, New York in 2016. During medical school he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha (AΩA), the medical honors society for outstanding achievement and earned accolades for his translational research. He completed his internal medicine residency at Montefiore Medical Center (Moses and Weiler Campuses) in Bronx, NY in 2019 and was subsequently invited to serve as Chief Resident, which he completed in 2020. He went on to complete his hematology/oncology training at Yale University and Yale Cancer Center / Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, CT in 2023. He joined Mass General Cancer Center / Harvard Medical School in 2023 as a medical oncologist.

Dr. Merkin’s clinical interests are in cancers of the head and neck, with a focus on mucosal squamous cell carcinoma, HPV-related head and neck cancer, salivary gland cancer, and advanced thyroid cancer. He also works with a multidisciplinary team to deliver care to patients with complications of immunotherapy.

Education & Training

  • Fellowship: Yale Cancer Center, Hematology/Oncology, 2023
  • Residency: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Internal Medicine - Chief Residency, 2020
  • Internship: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Internal Medicine, 2017
  • Medical Education: Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Medicine, 2016

Board Certifications

  • Hematology, American Board of Internal Medicine
  • Medical Oncology, American Board of Internal Medicine
  • Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

Languages Spoken

  • Spanish
  • English

Age Group Treated

  • Adults

Patient Feedback

4.893103 average rating from 116 reviews

  • He was very thorough, thoughtful and patient in answering my questions. His knowledge and manner gave me a sense of confidence and trust. The sense of urgency along with honesty about my medical situation is appreciated! Thank you Dr. Merkin!

    2026-08-09

  • I feel very confident having Dr. Merkin as my health care provider. He is caring and explains everything to me in a calming manner.

    2026-08-06

  • I was treated with respect and my questions were answered in detail and so that I could understand the process.

    2026-07-30

  • I can't say enough about Dr. Merkin. From the very first day we met, he has always been there for me throughout my cancer battle. No matter how much or how little pain I was in, no matter what happened during my treatment, he was always there, constantly checking in and making sure I was okay. His compassion, dedication, and unwavering support have meant more to me than I can ever put into words. He didn't just treat my cancer he gave me hope when I needed it most. I truly believe that Dr. Merkin saved my life, and as I continue to battle this disease, I know he will continue to be there for me every step of the way. He is the reason I am alive today, and I will always be grateful for everything he has done for me.

    2026-07-30

  • Professional, thorough, knowledgeable, respectful, caring, informative and exceptional in all ways!

    2026-07-28

  • Very good care, very grateful what they did for me and very helpful and I couldn't have done a better job. I'm happy to say and I was very compromised and they were very helpful and very courteous to me. Thank you.

    2026-07-17

  • Great team to work with.

    2026-07-08

  • Dr Merkin took place of Dr [redacted] after seeing him for many years i was nervous about transition. Dr Merkin makes you feel comfortable & easy to share concerns. he was extremely knowledgeable about my history & rx would highly recommend

    2026-07-03

  • Dr. Merkin presents a warm friendliness as well as professionalism. I have greatly enjoyed working with him on the successful removal of my tumor by immunotherapy.

    2026-06-21

  • Everything was perfect

    2026-06-20

  • Dr. Ross spent more than hour in listening and explaining all aspects of my disease and future treatment etc. Very patient and friendly to interact with. Extremely satisfied and happy to meet him In future, if required, I would definitely like to consult him only

    2026-06-10

  • He was very personable, answered all of my questions and was open to my input into the conversation.

    2026-06-09

  • Very satisfied

    2026-06-09

  • Very helpful.

    2026-06-07

  • Dr made me feel less anxious about my cancer diagnosis

    2026-06-04

  • Dr. Merkin was very friendly and made me feel comfortable and also confident in his expertise. He followed up with other doctors as he said he would. He listened and was understanding as to why I would travel all the way to Mass General for treatment. He was also understanding and considerate about the distance traveled and scheduled follow-ups with two doctors on the same day.

    2026-05-15

  • Since I've been seeing Dr Merkin he has been very thorough and easy to understand.He has a great demeanor and has always answered all of my question and made me feel at ease with my treatments.

    2026-05-13

  • Wonderful provider and we are ever grateful ?

    2026-05-12

  • Dr. Merkin and Dr. [redacted] were attentive, thorough and kind. I was most impressed and thankful to be seen.

    2026-05-06

  • Smart, easy to talk to, caring and a wonderful Doctor.

    2026-05-06

  • Dr Merkin was exceptionally prepared and professional during my appointment. He took time to explain the various options available to treat my condition and listened to my concerns. I highly recommend him to others in need to treatment.

    2026-04-25

  • Dr. Merkin was very honest and did his best to find a medication that was safe for me to relieve the pain from my condition. Dr. Merkin helped us better understand my condition and the effect it could have on me moving forward

    2026-04-21

  • I was very pleased with the dialogue back-and-forth, which enlightened me as to the potential risks involved with immunotherapy

    2026-04-14

  • The entire staff was a credit to the hospital!

    2026-04-13

  • Dr Merkin is awesome

    2026-03-29

  • very caring and explained everything completely

    2026-03-29

  • I genuinely felt like the Dr and staff cared and listened to me. I felt listened to.

    2026-03-18

  • It was a very good visit. Dr Merkin was great.

    2026-03-18

  • All the doctors and PA's were great. Explained everything very well and answered all my questions.

    2026-03-15

  • The best of the best!

    2026-02-27

  • I walked in knowing that I had cancer and was terrified..The staff made me more comfortable to face what I'm facing

    2026-02-26

  • Extremely satisfied with his friendly and down to earth demeanor. He listens closely to my questions and concerns. Answers my questions so that it's easy to understand. His attitude and genuine concern for my health is gratifying. He is a very knowledgeable professional, and an outstanding doctor in the true sense of the word .

    2026-01-12

  • I feel confident about my health plan under his leadership

    2025-12-31

  • Outstanding

    2025-12-24

  • The experience is very good. Thank you.

    2025-12-19

  • I was very satisfied with my visit. The doctor was very concerned, very well educated, explained everything 100%, answered any question I had, and I felt very, very comfortable working with him. I'd recommend him to anybody.

    2025-11-28

  • First visit with Dr Merkin. He was prepared, patient and explained thinks thoroughly. I look forward to his treatment.

    2025-11-16

  • Yes, this is in reference to Dr. Merkin. I find him very able, very intelligent, very easy to talk with and his explanations are easy to understand and he appears to be very much concerned with my situation. I couldn't recommend him more highly. He's a terrific individual.

    2025-11-14

  • Hi, I met with Ross, [redacted], and the entire oncology team at Mass General. I found them all to be very professional, friendly, and informative.

    2025-11-07

  • Dr. Merkin is more than a doctor- he is a lifeline, a steady hand through the storm. His care was exceptional-deeply human, profoundly skilled and always reassuring.

    2025-11-05

  • It was courteous, friendly, attentive, knowledgeable, great experience overall.

    2025-10-23

  • Very friendly, compassionate and eager to help. Very comfortable talking with him as though we long time friends.

    2025-10-12

  • Should be located in a more convenient location

    2025-10-05

  • This is the best I've received

    2025-10-02

  • They addresses ny fear (soon death) excellently

    2025-10-01

  • Dr. Merkin was very kind and gentle in his approach to my medical issues. He clearly explained everything and was honest yet reassuring. His guidance in my treatment was very respectful and kind. I feel comfortable with him and look forward to working with him throughout this process.

    2025-09-22

Accepted Insurance

  • Railroad Medicare
  • Tufts Medicare Preferred
  • Community Health Options
  • Medicaid ME
  • Medicaid RI
  • Medicaid CT
  • Wellpoint
  • Tufts Public Health Plan
  • Fallon Health
  • Commonwealth Care Alliance
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
  • Mass General Brigham Health Plan
  • Tufts Health Plan
  • Cigna
  • Maine Community Health Options
  • MassHealth
  • Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Humana
  • Multiplan
  • Medicare
  • WellSense
  • Aetna
  • Senior Whole Health
  • Coventry
  • Beech Street
  • Medicare ACO
  • United Health Care
  • TriCare