Gilbert R. Lavoie is a medical doctor and non-fiction writer. Lavoie studied medicine at the Medical College of Virginia and the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. He is board certified in internal medicine and occupational medicine. In 2004, Lavoie ran for the 1st Suffolk & Middlesex district seat of the Massachusetts Senate as a Republican, challenging Robert Travaglini, a six-term incumbent Democrat. He lost by a wide margin.