In the United States, medicine is where some of the smartest and most accomplished people in the world work. This list of the ten top doctors in the United States honors the visionaries who have altered the profession of medicine via pioneering research, excellent patient care, and strong leadership. People know these doctors not only for their deep medical knowledge but also for their commitment to saving lives, improving treatments, and making people healthier in many other areas. These doctors are the finest at a lot of different things, like cardiology, neurosurgery, cancer, and internal medicine. They have an effect on public health policy and medical school in the US as professors, mentors, and researchers.
They do more than just work in a clinic. This list recognizes doctors and nurses who are well-respected by their peers, patients, and institutions and who are always working to make patient care better. This article seeks to help patients, students, and healthcare lovers who want to get accurate information on the greatest doctors in the US by looking into the backgrounds, accomplishments, and specialties of these top doctors. These top 10 doctors’ profiles reveal how dedicated, informed, and skilled American doctors are today.
The Top Ten Best Medical Doctors In America
10. Dr Michael A Palese – Leading Robotic Urology Specialist
Dr Michael A Palese stands as one of America’s most celebrated urologists, renowned for his pioneering role in robotic, laparoscopic, and endoscopic surgery. As Chair of the Department of Urology at Mount Sinai Beth Israel and Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery across the health system, he is passionate about transforming patient care through cutting-edge techniques.
Having performed well over 3,000 kidney, adrenal, ureter, and prostate procedures, Dr Palese was the first surgeon at Mount Sinai to successfully execute a range of robotic approaches from radical and partial nephrectomies to donor nephrectomies and adrenalectomies . He was also among the first globally to use a single-port robotic system for living donor nephrectomy, optimizing outcomes with a mere three-centimeter incision that helps minimize pain and promote swift recovery.
Patients often highlight his ability to save kidney function through robot-assisted partial nephrectomy, allowing many to leave the hospital within two days while avoiding traditional open surgery side effects . This less invasive approach consistently results in lower blood loss, smaller incisions, and a faster return to everyday life .
Beyond the operating room Dr Palese is a prolific academic, holding several patents for novel surgical devices and authoring over 100 articles and book chapters. He mentors residents and health professionals as a Visiting Professor internationally and serves on numerous national committees, including those for the National Kidney Foundation and leading medical journals. His excellence has earned him repeated recognition in Castle Connolly’s America’s Top Doctors and New York Magazine’s Superdoctors list.
Dr Palese’s devotion to transforming kidney and urinary care through robotic innovation makes him a true leader in modern urology and a beacon for patients seeking advanced and compassionate treatment.
9. Dr William K Oh – Genitourinary Oncology Visionary
Dr William K Oh is a foremost expert in prostate and genitourinary cancer, serving as Director of Precision Medicine at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital, alongside leading the Precision Medicine Tumor Board . His mission: to bridge molecular insights with tailored cancer care for each patient.
Before Yale, Dr Oh held prestigious roles including Chief Medical Officer at the Prostate Cancer Foundation and CMO of Sema4, a health intelligence firm . He led the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Mount Sinai and helped found the NCI-designated Tisch Cancer Institute . At Harvard and Dana‑Farber, he directed GU cancer programs and guided data‑driven cancer research .
A pioneer in integrating genetic testing into everyday care, Dr Oh authored or co‑edited more than 400 scientific papers and 25 book chapters . His work led to new PSA screening guidelines for Black men published in NEJM Evidence . As principal investigator of key trials in advanced prostate cancer, he continues to innovate precision immunotherapy.
Dr Oh champions equity in cancer treatment. He chairs the American Cancer Society’s National Prostate Cancer Roundtable, focused on access and survivorship. He also leads the Chemotherapy Foundation’s Medical Advisory Council .
Consistently listed in Best Doctors in America since 2003, and named among Castle Connolly’s “America’s Top Doctors for Cancer” through 2024, Dr Oh blends world-class clinical leadership with patient-first empathy . His work continues to drive forward a new era of individualized cancer care.
8. Dr Velma Scantlebury – Trailblazing Transplant Surgeon and Mentor
Dr Velma Scantlebury solidified her legacy as the first African‑American female transplant surgeon in the United States, performing over 2,000 kidney and pancreas transplants throughout her career . Born in Barbados in 1955, she trained at the University of Pittsburgh under transplant pioneer Dr Thomas Starzl and rose to associate professor by 2002 .
Dr Scantlebury’s impact extends far beyond the operating room. She has been honored on multiple occasions as one of America’s Best Doctors and received awards such as the National Kidney Foundation’s Gift of Life Award and the Barbados Order of Gold Crown Merit . Passionate about bridging racial disparities in transplantation, she spearheaded programs to educate minority communities and expand donor awareness through Coalition on Donation and MOTTEP initiatives .
From 1988 to 2002 she worked at the University of Pittsburgh, then moved in 2008 to Delaware’s Christiana Care as Director of Kidney Transplant Program . Even after shifting into academia with Texas Christian University and the University of North Texas Health Science Center in 2020, she continues to consult, publish papers, and mentor aspiring surgeons .
Her autobiography “Beyond Every Wall” chronicles challenges overcome in her rise to the forefront of transplantation . She mentors high school, college students, and medical trainees, urging young people to pursue their medical dreams regardless of obstacles .
Dr Scantlebury’s unwavering commitment to excellence, leadership in promoting diversity, and surgical mastery make her a true pioneer respected by peers and patients alike.
7. Dr Cato T Laurencin — Pioneer of Regenerative Engineering and Orthopaedic Visionary
Dr Cato T Laurencin is a medical trailblazer whose groundbreaking work blends surgery, engineering, and regenerative science. As a dual-trained orthopedic surgeon and engineer, he has earned worldwide acclaim for innovations that redefine how the human body heals. In 2021, he became the first surgeon ever elected to all four U.S. national academies the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, and Inventors an achievement that underscores the unique power and impact of his research .
His journey began with a chemical engineering degree from Princeton, followed by an MD from Harvard and a PhD from MIT. This rare trifecta positioned him to launch the field of regenerative engineering, a discipline that uses biomaterials, stem cells, and nanotechnology to regenerate bones, ligaments, and other tissues . Among his celebrated innovations is the Laurencin‑Cooper ligament a bioengineered knee ligament recognized by National Geographic as one of the 100 scientific discoveries that changed the world .
During his tenure at the University of Connecticut, and later at the University of Virginia, Dr Laurencin developed bioactive nanofiber scaffolds that encourage the body to rebuild itself. His teams have been at the forefront of integrating polymer ceramic hybrid materials to repair bone defects and using biomaterials to repair soft tissue injuries .
He built an influential academic legacy: over 500 scientific papers and patents, editor-in-chief of a leading regenerative medicine journal, and multiple awards including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation under President Obama. Beyond his lab, he mentors the next generation of interdisciplinary scientists through the institute that bears his name.
Through Dr Laurencin’s work, healing is no longer just about treating injuries, it is about helping the body reconstruct itself from within. His vision and leadership continue driving forward the future of orthopaedics and body regeneration.
6. Dr Sanjay Gupta — Renowned Neurosurgeon and Trusted Health Communicator
Dr Sanjay Gupta bridges the gap between complex surgical practice and clear public health guidance. He is a board-certified neurosurgeon, serving as associate chief of neurosurgery at Grady Memorial Hospital and associate professor at Emory University. At the same time, he shines as CNN’s chief medical correspondent and as a trusted voice during national health crises .
Since joining CNN in 2001, Dr Gupta has earned multiple Emmy Awards and professional accolades for coverage ranging from natural disasters to pandemic health advice . His work during Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf oil spill was recognized with a Peabody Award, and his efforts during the 2004 tsunami garnered an Alfred I. duPont‑Columbia Award . In 2019, he was elected to the National Academy of Medicine, reflecting his elite status in both clinical and public health domains .
Beyond reporting, Dr Gupta remains active in neurosurgery regularly performing surgeries at Grady Hospital, training residents, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals . He has authored best-selling books like “Chasing Life”, “Cheating Death” and “Keep Sharp,” further extending his influence into personal health and lifestyle education .
Dr Gupta is a public health educator at heart his weekly CNN town halls during the COVID‑19 pandemic reached millions, offering calm, evidence based insight amid uncertainty . He sits on boards such as the Livestrong Foundation, and is a fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations .
In every role; surgeon, educator, journalist Dr Gupta strives for clarity and compassion, making complex medical matters accessible and actionable for the public. His commitment to health literacy has empowered millions and solidified his reputation as America’s trusted medical commentator.
5. Dr Anthony Atala — World Leader in Organ Regeneration and Tissue Printing
Dr Anthony Atala has rewritten the script on organ transplantation by creating lab grown tissues and organs that integrate seamlessly with patients. Director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine and department chair of urology, his lab pioneered the first successful implantation of a lab grown bladder into a human being a defining moment in medical history .
A native of Peru, he trained in urology in Louisville and at Harvard, where he began developing tissue engineering techniques. Since founding WFIRM, Dr Atala has led a team of hundreds working on over 40 different tissues, from blood vessels and skin to cartilage, muscle, liver, and kidneys . He also invented the Integrated Tissue and Organ Printing System (ITOP), one of the first 3D bioprinters capable of producing living tissue and scaffolds customized to patient anatomy .
His scientific output is staggering over 800 peer reviewed publications and 250 patents along with editorship of multiple standard reference works in regenerative medicine . His methods were celebrated by Time magazine as top medical breakthroughs and have led to federal funding and international recognition, including Smithsonian honors .
Dr Atala balances research with clinical work, continuing to see patients weekly while guiding the next generation of regenerative specialists . In interviews he emphasizes that regenerative medicine is not science fiction it is real, patient‑focused medicine evolving day by day .
He leads the charge toward a future where organ shortages are a thing of the past and where bodies can heal themselves using their own cells, engineered tissue, and digital precision. The impact of Dr Atala’s work will echo through hospitals and patients’ lives for generations.
4. Dr Vivek H Murthy — Two‑Term U.S. Surgeon General and Advocate for Community Health
Dr Vivek H Murthy served as both the 19th and 21st U.S. Surgeon General under Presidents Obama and Biden, guiding the nation through opioid, viral, and mental health crises while elevating the role of social connection in public well‑being . At just 37, Murthy became the youngest Surgeon General in history and the first of Indian descent. Over two terms he commanded the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, establishing programs that addressed addiction, tobacco and youth vaping, loneliness, gun violence, and misinformation .
During his first term, he released landmark reports on addiction and youth e‑cigarette use, spearheaded the TurnTheTideRx opioid initiative, and positioned emotion and stress as national health issues. Returning in 2021, he helped lead the national COVID‑19 Advisory Board, provided dependable guidance through the Delta and Omicron waves, and issued multiple Surgeon General Advisories on youth mental health and health misinformation.
Dr Murthy has championed the importance of mental and social health, famously declaring loneliness to be an epidemic on par with tobacco and obesity. His 2025 “Parting Prescription” urged Americans to rebuild community bonds, be present, and care for each other ideas informed by his conversations, research, and bestselling book Together .
Now stepping beyond government, Murthy continues to influence public health through speaking engagements, board memberships including the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and his writing . His legacy lies in expanding the definition of health to include relationships, trust, and compassion, making him one of the most influential physician leaders in modern American medicine.
3. Dr Stephen L Hauser — World‑Class Neurologist and Multiple Sclerosis Trailblazer
Dr Stephen L Hauser is a highly respected neurologist and neuroimmunologist known globally for his transformative work in multiple sclerosis (MS). As the Robert A Fishman Distinguished Professor of Neurology at UCSF and Director of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, he leads interdisciplinary teams dedicated to understanding and treating complex neuroimmune disorders .
Over the past two decades, his pioneering research has fundamentally shifted how MS is managed. He spearheaded the development of B‑cell depleting therapies most notably ocrelizumab and ofatumumab which have been proven in clinical trials to reduce relapse rates and slow progression in both relapsing and primary progressive MS . These treatments represent major breakthroughs in world neurology, providing the first effective options for patients with progressive forms of the disease.
Dr Hauser’s scientific influence has been recognized with the prestigious Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences in 2025, awarded alongside other leaders in MS research . He also received the John Dystel Prize and Charcot Award, affirming his status as a leader in the field.
Beyond his lab, Dr Hauser is a dedicated educator and mentor. He guides trainees in clinical care and research, shapes future neurologists via UCSF’s top‑ranked program, and serves on advisory boards for national MS and neuroimmunology organizations.
Through a rare blend of rigorous science, clinical passion, and compassionate patient interaction, Dr Hauser has changed the MS landscape. His work continues to give hope and improved outcomes for thousands of individuals worldwide facing this challenging condition.
2. Dr Harvey N Karp — Renowned Pediatrician, Sleep Expert, and Parenting Innovator
Dr Harvey Karp is one of America’s most influential pediatricians, celebrated for transforming infant care through research, writing, and innovation. As an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at USC Keck School of Medicine and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, he has made an indelible mark on child development and parenting methods .
His groundbreaking work first came to light with the 2002 bestseller The Happiest Baby on the Block, which introduced the “5 S’s” technique—swaddling, side/stomach positioning, shushing, swinging, and sucking—to soothe fussy newborns and improve sleep. These methods, based on the “calming reflex,” have been taught worldwide and translated into more than 20 languages . This simple yet powerful approach earned him widespread acclaim and a reputation as a trusted advisor to millions of parents.
Building on these insights, Dr Karp co-invented the SNOO Smart Sleeper, a high-tech crib designed to mimic womb-like sensations and automatically respond to a baby’s cries with gentle motion and white noise. This FDA De Novo–authorized device enhances infant sleep safety while extending rest periods for families .
With a career spanning over four decades, Dr Karp practiced for 30 years in Santa Monica and taught at UCLA and USC. He has led lectures and training sessions for health professionals across the globe and authored further titles, including The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep and The Happiest Toddler on the Block .
Dr Karp’s work extends beyond parenting tools. He is a vocal advocate for children’s environmental health, serving on the boards of Healthy Child Healthy World and the Environmental Working Group, and collaborating with agencies like the NRDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics .
Broadly praised in media outlets—from New York Times and Time to appearances on Good Morning America, CNN, and Dr. Oz—Dr Karp’s unique blend of scientific research, practical interventions, and compassionate communication has reshaped modern pediatric care and empowered parents to raise healthier, happier children .
1. Dr William A Abdu — Premier Spine Surgeon and Patient‑Centric Researcher
Dr William A Abdu is a nationally recognized spine surgeon and academic leader at Dartmouth‑Hitchcock Medical Center. With specialized focus on spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, disc herniation, and complex spine disorders, Dr Abdu has shaped surgical standards and prioritized outcomes that matter to patients .
After earning his MD from Tufts University, he trained in orthopedics at Dartmouth‑Hitchcock and completed a fellowship at Case Western Reserve University. Since then, he has served as medical director of Dartmouth‑Hitchcock’s Spine Center and as an associate professor of orthopedics, leading clinical and outcome‑based research .
Dr Abdu was among the first to use wireless, patient‑reported health surveys for spine patients, helping to understand who benefits most from surgery. His work on patient‑centred outcome tools guides clinical decisions and supports evidence‑based care .
His surgical expertise combines meticulous technique with a holistic patient approach. He collaborates closely with physical therapists, pain specialists, and rehab teams, focusing on each patient’s goals, functionality, and quality of life. Dr Abdu has also led studies analyzing the burden of illness and treatment effectiveness, often presenting and publishing his findings in orthopedic forums .
Peers and patients praise his integrity, transparency during pre‑surgical planning, and dedication to long‑term recovery. Under his leadership, Dartmouth‑Hitchcock’s Spine Center has gained national recognition for surgical outcomes and research, a testament to Dr Abdu’s relentless drive to elevate spine care through innovation and empathy.
