Med Center doctors named 'best' in U.S.

They're tops in their class. Confirming their national reputations as leaders in the health care profession, 131 University Medical Center doctors have recently been named among the "Best Doctors in America." According to Chris Greame, senior editor of Woodward/White Inc. of Aiken, S.C., the listing, which appears in the book "The Best Doctors in America," is based on a national poll of doctors. The 131 Medical Center members selected represent nearly 15 percent of the clinicians on the faculty, according to Harriet Levy, spokesperson for the Medical Center. But, only two percent of the more than 350,000 practicing physicians in the United States made the "Best Doctors" list. At the University, nine of those selected specialize in anesthesiology, 12 in neurology, and eight in obstetrics and gynecology, according to Greame. Woodward/White, in compiling the book, asked doctors from across the country to rate the clinical abilities of colleagues. "If a friend or loved one came to you with a medical problem in your field of expertise, and for some reason you couldn't handle the case, to whom would you send them?" the survey asked. Most of the doctors on the "Best Doctors" list also have academic affiliations, according to Greame. "That is not necessarily a coincidence, either," said Greame. "It is our belief , although by no means totally certain, that doctors who can apply personal research are at a higher level than many other doctors." No other Delaware Valley institution has as many recommended physicians on its faculty as does the University. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital has 62 physicians listed, according to hospital spokesperson Caroline Daley. Medical Center personnel said they are very excited about the directory's findings. "The nicest thing is to see so many Penn physicians on the list," said Stephen Rubin, director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the Medical Center. "It confirms Penn's preeminence as a top hospital and its leadership in academic research."