Honored to Be Named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor

When I first began practicing medicine, I did not imagine awards. I imagined long conversations, cracking the mystery cases, knowing my patients well enough to see patterns before they became problems. I imagined a kind of care that felt thoughtful, unrushed, and deeply human.

This year, Dr. Julia Loewenthal and I were named 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctors for the second consecutive year. We are deeply honored.

Castle Connolly selects approximately 7% of licensed physicians nationwide. Doctors are nominated by their peers and chosen by a physician-led research team. Physicians cannot apply and cannot pay to be included. Selection is based on education, training, professional reputation, hospital appointments, and disciplinary review.

To be nominated by other physicians means something to us. It suggests that the way we practice and the standards we hold ourselves to are seen and respected by colleagues who understand the weight of this work.

Still, what this recognition represents to me is not an endpoint. It is a reflection of what we are building at Lutanen.

Lutanen was created around a simple belief: medicine works best when it is relational. When you care for a small panel of patients, when you understand their biology and their story, when you have time to think, you can practice medicine at a higher standard. You can identify risks factors for chronic disease and intervene early, preserving vitality and promoting longevity. You can align medical decisions with a person’s long-term goals, along with their immediate concerns.

Julia and I share this philosophy. Each of us cares for no more than 150 patients. That structure allows for depth, responsiveness, and continuity. It allows us to practice the kind of medicine we would want for ourselves and our families.

Recognition like this belongs to our entire clinical team and, in many ways, to our patients. The trust our patients place in us makes it possible to practice thoughtfully. It allows us to move beyond transactional care toward true health stewardship.

I am proud of Julia. I am proud of our team. And I am proud of the model of care we are quietly proving is possible.

Awards are meaningful. But what matters most remains the same: time, trust, partnership, and the daily work of helping people live longer, stronger, more intentional lives.

With gratitude,
Jay

About the Author:

Dr. Jay Luthar is a Harvard-trained internist and the founder of Lutanen Health, where he leads a longevity-focused model of primary care that blends advanced diagnostics, evidence-based medicine, and mind-body health. He is triple board certified in Internal, Integrative, and Lifestyle Medicine and teaches at Harvard Medical School. His work bridges modern clinical science with personalized, relationship-centered care.

Dr. Jay Luthar, MD, DipABLM

February 20, 2026