A prominent number of physicians recognized in this year's "Top Doctors" issue of Atlanta magazine are Emory physicians who practice at one of more than 200 Emory Healthcare provider locations, or who hold faculty positions at Emory University School of Medicine. The July issue can be found on magazine stands throughout metro Atlanta.

This year, 155 Emory doctors (43 percent) were selected as "Top Doctors" out of a total of 347 listed in the magazine. Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a New York-based health care research firm, compiles the list of doctors nationwide, representing leading physicians in key regions and cities in the U.S.

"With our continuous expanding footprint throughout metro-Atlanta and the state, patients now have access to more of Emory's 'Top Doctors'," says John T. Fox, president and CEO of Emory Healthcare. "We honor, celebrate and thank all of our physicians, and the care teams that support them throughout the Emory Healthcare Network, for providing outstanding care to our patients and their families."

The Emory Healthcare Network is a network of physicians and hospitals formed to improve care coordination among its members and to improve quality outcomes and manage costs more efficiently. It includes six Emory-owned and jointly owned hospitals, Southern Regional Medical Center in Riverdale, and more than 1,800 physicians.

To compile the annual "Top Doctors" list, Castle Connolly uses a survey and research process involving tens of thousands of top doctors across America and the medical leadership of leading hospitals. Atlanta's top doctors are selected after peer nomination, extensive research, careful review and screening by Castle Connolly's doctor-directed research team. Atlanta magazine uses the research by Castle Connolly to provide detailed information about education, training and special expertise of Atlanta doctors. Doctors do not and cannot pay to be selected and profiled as Castle Connolly "Top Doctors".