Pittsburgh, May 2, 2005 -- Several University of Pittsburgh neurosurgeons have been named among this area’s top doctors in their field in a national survey published locally in the May issue of Pittsburgh Magazine. A. Leland Albright, MD, Amin Kassam, MD, Douglas Kondziolka, MD, L. Dade Lunsford, MD, Joseph Maroon, MD and Ian Pollack, MD, were named in the survey conducted by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd.

Castle Connolly utilizes a physician-led team of researchers following a rigorous screening process to select top doctors on both the national and regional levels.

Using mail and telephone surveys and electronic ballots, Castle Connolly asks physicians and medical leadership of area hospitals to identify highly skilled, exceptional doctors. Selectors base their nominations on professional qualifications, interpersonal skills and by answering the question “to whom would you send members of your family."

The nomination pool is then refined through interviews and by referencing databases confirming board certification, licensing, education, appointments and disciplinary history. Final selection is made among those physicians in each specialty.