castle connolly honors vista dermatology
national recognition 2026
We are so excited and proud to announce that four of our physicians at Vista Dermatology have been nationally recognized as Castle Connolly Rising Stars and Top Doctors for 2026!
dr. trisha scharff
Castle Connolly Rising StarDr. Scharff was chosen as one of only 386 Rising Star physicians in the United States, representing the top 0.1% of physicians in their first 10 years of practice in the country. Each doctor has been nominated by their peers and thoroughly vetted by Castle Connolly’s research team.
dr. emily goeller
Dr. amy ney
dr. gina bowers
Dr. Goeller and Dr. Ney have been Castle Connolly Top Doctors since 2023. Dr. Bowers has been a Castle Connolly Top Doctor since 2026. Castle Connolly Top Doctors represent the top 7% of all physicians in the United States and can only be peer nominated by other physicians.
what is a castle connolly rising star?
The Castle Connolly Rising Star award recognizes physicians who meet the elite criteria of a Top Doctor but are in their first 10 years of clinical practice. Only 386 physicians were chosen as Rising Stars in 2026 across the United States. These doctors are peer-nominated and vetted by a dedicated research team as emerging leaders in their medical specialties. Choosing a Rising Star means you are partnering with a physician recognized early on for their advanced medical training, research contributions, and dedication to patient care. Read more here.
what is a castle connolly top doctor?
A Castle Connolly Top Doctor is a physician who has been peer-nominated and rigorously screened to represent the top 7% of practicing physicians in the United States. Unlike crowdsourced rating sites, doctors cannot pay to be included on this list. The designation is entirely merit-based, identifying elite physicians across the United States who exhibit exceptional clinical expertise, strict professional reputations, and outstanding interpersonal skills. Read more here.
how are doctors selected for castle connolly awards?
Physicians are selected for Castle Connolly awards through a strict, multi-stage peer nomination and clinical vetting process. The process involves two layers of review:
- Peer nomination: MDs and DOs can nominate fellow physicians, answering the core question: “Where would you send your own family members for care?”
- Rigorous screening: The Castle Connolly physician-led research team screens candidates’ board certifications, medical education, training history, hospital appointments, and professional achievements.
can a doctor pay to be a castle connolly top doctor or rising star?
No, a doctor cannot pay to be nominated, reviewed, or selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor or Rising Star. The entire directory is strictly merit-based and independent. While medical groups can purchase enhanced online profiles to display deeper clinical information to patients after selection, no financial relationship can influence the core research or award outcome.
why should i choose a peer-nominated doctor in st. louis?
Choosing a peer-nominated doctor ensures your healthcare is managed by a physician that other medical specialists explicitly trust with their own families. Peer nominations focus on diagnostic accuracy, clinical skills, and medical decision-making. When you choose an awarded dermatologist at our St. Louis practice, you are selecting a doctor recognized by the medical community for delivering the highest standard of evidence-based care.
