Oak Street Health, a national network of primary care centers and part of CVS Health (NYSE: CVS), announced that 11 of its practicing physicians have been named to Castle Connolly's 2026 Top Doctor List. The company also ranked among the top three primary care practices in Illinois for the most Castle Connolly Top Doctors and was named a 2026 Castle Connolly Center of Excellence. These distinctions highlight the organization's commitment to clinical excellence and its leadership within the regional medical community.
"We are proud to see 11 Oak Street Health providers recognized among the top physicians in the United States," said Creagh Milford, DO, MPH, President of Oak Street Health. "This distinction reflects their unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, value-based primary care for older adults. I congratulate this year's honorees and couldn't be more proud to be rebuilding health care as it should be, together."
Oak Street Health delivers personalized, preventive primary care through a model created to meet the unique needs of older adults. The integrated model incorporates behavioral healthcare and social determinants support, as well as a 24/7 patient support line. Oak Street Health is dedicated to making a positive impact in the areas it serves by hiring employees from local neighborhoods and investing resources to support its communities.
The 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctors from Oak Street Health are: Aarti Agarwal, MD (Elizabeth, NJ); Deborah L. Edberg, MD (Chicago, IL); Taryn Lee, MD (Cleveland, OH); Rebecca Levine, MD (Chicago, IL); Sonal S. Mehr, MD (Memphis, TN); Kaya Oyejide, MD (Philadelphia, PA); Sheetal Patel, MD (Memphis, TN); Rene Roberts, MD (Chicago, IL); Melissa G. Schiffman, MD (Wyncote, PA); Mallory M. Smith, MD (North Little Rock, AR); and Vanessa R. Sohn, MD (Harwood Heights, IL).
Castle Connolly Top Doctors are selected through a peer review nomination process and reviewed by a physician-led research team. Every year, tens of thousands of licensed doctors nominate their peers, and a specialized research team vets candidates based on credentials, disciplinary history, patient outcomes and bedside manner.
Oak Street Health primary care accepts all forms of Medicare, including Original Medicare Part B, select Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement or Medigap plans and Medicare-Medicaid Plans. To learn more, visit oakstreethealth.com or call (888) 898-6762.
The recognition as a Center of Excellence further solidifies Oak Street Health's reputation as a leader in value-based primary care, particularly for older adults. This announcement is significant as it demonstrates the effectiveness of Oak Street Health's model, which focuses on quality over volume and assumes full financial risk for its patients. As the only primary care provider to carry the AARP name, Oak Street Health continues to expand, operating 230 centers across 27 states. The inclusion of 11 physicians on the Castle Connolly list underscores the caliber of care provided at these centers.
Castle Connolly publishes its Top Doctors list at castleconnolly.com and in various print and online partner publications. Nominations are open to all board-certified MDs, DOs, and DPMs. The Castle Connolly team chooses honorees based on nominee criteria including medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories. Doctors do not and cannot pay to be selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor.
