John David Rolston, MD, PhD
Not currently accepting new patients
4.96875 average rating from 64 patient reviews
Specialties
Affiliation
Mass General Brigham
Provider Locations
- Boston, MA
Dr. John Rolston is a neurosurgeon and neuroscientist at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, recognized internationally for his contributions to epilepsy surgery and movement disorder surgery. Before moving to Brigham & Women’s, he served as the Director of Epilepsy Surgery and the Director of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery at the University of Utah from 2017 to 2022.
Dr. Rolston received his Bachelor’s degree from Columbia University, where he won the Russell Mills Award for Excellence in Computer Science. For his PhD, he developed brain-computer interfaces for epilepsy at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University. He received an MD from Emory University before completing his residency training and post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.
Dr. Rolston’s NIH-funded laboratory investigates how neural engineering can be used to map and ultimately rewire the diseased brain. The same tools can be used to better understand neural information processing and how it is disordered in illnesses like epilepsy, Parkinson’s, and psychiatric disease. Dr. Rolston ardently promotes patient safety in neurosurgery and has led several studies examining the frequency and causes of neurosurgical errors and complications. He has over 150 publications and has received numerous awards, such as the University of California’s Harold Rosegay Award for teaching and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons’ Basic Science Award for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery.
Education & Training
- Residency: University of California San Francisco, Neurosurgery, 2017
- Medical Education: Emory University, Neuroscience (combined MD/PhD program), 2011
Board Certifications
- Neurological Surgery, American Board of Neurological Surgery
Languages Spoken
- English
Age Group Treated
- Adults
Patient Feedback
4.96875 average rating from 64 reviews
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He is the BEST. MY whole family loves him. Fabulous communicator.
2026-07-05
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Everything went smoothly DR actually signed in early
2026-07-05
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Excellent
2026-06-30
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Dr. Rolston was one of the best doctors I've ever talked to. He was very knowledgeable, clearly did his research before meeting with me and was very encouraging and friendly and gave me information about my health care that none of my other neurological providers have in the past. So I would highly recommend him.
2026-06-05
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Felt heard and my opinion was respected
2026-04-22
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Dr Rolston was great at explaining the surgery to me and my husband.
2026-04-07
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Dr. Rolston was very thorough and very pleasant. He was very attentive and clearly informative.
2026-03-26
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Dr. Rolston explained everything about the procedure and answered all my questions with a friendly and professional manner. I have full confidence in him.
2026-03-25
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I was very impressed with the way. The doctor explained the procedure. I was very impressed with his manner. He was delightful. Very cheering very knowledgeable answered all of my questions. I look forward to working with him and being his patient.
2026-03-24
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Very nice! explanations very clear
2026-03-13
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Very personable and caring. Excellent at listening and explaining procedures
2026-03-08
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Dr. Rolston is Terrific, and He helped Me make a smart decision, as to whether to have surgery or not! A True Gentleman and Professional, and Kind as well!
2026-02-27
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Very professional called me personally to let know the results of my Cat Scan
2026-02-25
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He was excellent! Explained things very well and gave me confidence in the upcoming procedure
2026-02-11
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Dr. Rolston listened well, provided us with pertinent information regarding the upcoming procedure, offered support and encouragement, answered all our questions patiently and had read all the pertinent notes from other providers so was well versed with our case.
2026-02-11
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Dr. Rolston was very attentive and explained my care options well.
2026-02-05
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Dr. Rolston was wonderful. He answered all my questions. He made me feel much more comfortable. I'd recommend him to everybody.
2026-01-23
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Excellent visit in every respect. Potential cure to ET is life changing for me. Thank you.
2026-01-21
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I found him to be very down to earth. He made me feel very comfortable. Because of that, he didn't have an arrogant nature as some do. Yes, very down to earth.
2025-12-28
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It was my first time meeting him and though I am glad I don't need brain surgery again, I am sad he is not a larger part of my care team. He made me feel so heard and respected unlike my last 2 surgeons. I would recommend him for anyone in need of rns simply because of his great bead side manner.
2025-12-08
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Dr. Rolston was amazing. He listened to all our questions. He answered all our questions. He was very professional and he was amazing and we will see him in the future. And definitely, I would recommend him to anyone who needs to see him. Thank you. Have a great day.
2025-11-28
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This was the first meeting with Dr Rolston. He was patient clear and his explanation answered any questions and just a very efficient meeting for the first meeting. [redacted]
2025-11-26
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Dr Rolston is remarkably fine. In my [redacted] years, among the very best I have had the opportunity. [redacted] Dr. Rolston, now, has visited nothing short of a small miracle, for me. Brain surgery in the morning, restoring functionality to my hand, virtually in a moment; then, I am eating lunch with [redacted] a couple hours later in the café. All in, the remarkable work of a team. I, and we, are enormously appreciative. Thank you. --[redacted]
2025-11-24
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I found this provider very helpful for my situation and Felt hewas very concerned for my well-being
2025-10-01
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Very good experience
2025-09-24
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Dr Rolston comes across as thorough and interested. We had never met.
2025-09-24
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Dr Rolston was extremely thorough in his description of the procedure to be performed. He listened carefully to my history and symptoms and answered all my questions. He was polite, professional and did not rub or appear to be in any hurry to be finished. I would recommend him to anyone in need of his specialty's services.
2025-09-11
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Great experience
2025-09-10
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Dr. Rolston was very kind, listened to me with interest and eye contact as we discussed my history and concerns. He explained things clearly and gave me plenty of time to ask many questions. He is completely knowledgeable and I feel very fortunate to have been referred to him.
2025-08-28
Accepted Insurance
- Senior Whole Health
- Tufts Medicare Preferred
- Wellpoint
- Coventry
- Mass General Brigham Health Plan
- Commonwealth Care Alliance
- Medicaid VT
- Cigna
- United Health Care
- Multiplan
- Fallon Health
- Medicaid ME
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
- Medicare
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Humana
- TriCare
- Aetna
- WellSense
- Tufts Health Plan
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Railroad Medicare
- MassHealth