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 ranks among the top three primary care practices in Illinois for the most Castle Connolly Top Doctors and has been designated a 2026 Castle Connolly Center of Excellence. These distinctions underscore the organization's dedication to clinical excellence and its leadership in 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. The company 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 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. 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. Doctors do not and cannot pay to be selected.
This recognition matters because it signals to patients that Oak Street Health providers are among the most respected in their fields, potentially influencing patient choice and trust in the growing value-based care model. For the industry, the Center of Excellence designation highlights a shift toward recognizing primary care practices that prioritize quality over volume. As Oak Street Health continues to expand—it currently operates 230 centers across 27 states and is the only primary care provider to carry the AARP name—these accolades could attract more Medicare patients seeking reliable, coordinated care. The company accepts all forms of Medicare, including Original Medicare Part B, select Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement or Medigap plans, and Medicare-Medicaid Plans.
For more information, visit oakstreethealth.com or call (888) 898-6762. The full list of Top Doctors is available at castleconnolly.com.
