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 most Castle Connolly Top Doctors and was named a 2026 Castle Connolly Center of Excellence. These distinctions underscore the organization's dedication to clinical excellence and its leadership within the regional medical community.
Oak Street Health delivers personalized, preventive primary care through a model designed to meet the unique needs of older adults, integrating behavioral healthcare and social determinants support, along with a 24/7 patient support line. The recognition of its physicians highlights the effectiveness of this value-based care model, which focuses on quality over volume and assumes full financial risk for patients.
“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.” The recognized physicians include 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. Nominees are vetted based on credentials, disciplinary history, patient outcomes, and bedside manner. Doctors cannot pay to be selected, ensuring the integrity of the list. Oak Street Health's inclusion as a Center of Excellence further validates its patient-centered approach.
Oak Street Health, part of CVS Health, operates 230 centers across 27 states and is the only primary care provider to carry the AARP name. The company's value-based model is particularly relevant as the healthcare industry shifts toward outcomes-based reimbursement. For older adults, this means more coordinated care that addresses not just medical needs but also social and behavioral factors. The recognition of these physicians reinforces the importance of accessible, high-quality primary care in improving patient outcomes and reducing overall healthcare costs.
For more information, visit oakstreethealth.com.
