Who would you want to have looking out for your family’s health? To whom would you turn if you got sick? For 16 years, we’ve thought the best people to answer those questions are Portland’s own medical pros.

In our annual survey, we ask the city’s doctors, nurses, physician assistants to answer one key question: to whom would they trust the care of their loved ones? The 685 names in this year’s listings represent the top 5 to 10 percent of vote-getters across 75 medical specialties, from dermatologists to bariatric surgeons to experts in transgender care. You’re unlikely to pick your own trauma surgeon or pathologist, of course, but we included extra slots in some categories where people are most likely to get to make a leisurely choice, like pediatricians and urologists. A companion survey asked acupuncturists, chiropractors, massage therapists, naturopaths, and physical therapists the same question for those fields.

Every year we get asked if this project is paid advertising. It’s not, and never has been. Our survey isn’t perfect: people who work for large organizations where lots of coworkers are familiar with their work definitely have an edge, for example. But the names here are a great starting point for when you find yourself asking that same question: who do you want to have taking care of you and your family?

Click here to go to our full list

Additional research by Mark Fogerson, Kiva Hanson, Sarah Hutchins, Alli Weseman & Olivia Wolf

METHODOLOGY: Using a secure online survey system, Portland Monthly solicited peer nominations from every licensed doctor, physician assistant, and registered nurse in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas Counties. Participants logged in with their medical license number and nominated up to four names in each medical specialty; we specifically asked to whom they would entrust their own families’ care. After tallying the votes, Portland Monthly compiled a list of the top vote recipients in each specialty. Next, we convened an independent, voluntary, and anonymous panel of doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners representing local hospitals and clinics to further assess each finalist. We also confirmed all finalists are currently certified to practice in their field by their respective medical licensing board and have not been subject to recent disciplinary action in Oregon. Note that someone’s status can change after fact-checking, and medical providers often change locations or employers.

Portland Monthly also solicited online peer nominations from acupuncturists, chiropractors, massage therapists, naturopaths, and physical therapists in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas Counties. Survey participants provided their professional contact information before nominating up to three names per practice area. Portland Monthly then tallied the results, selecting the top 5 to 10 percent of vote recipients in each practice area before submitting the final list to our fact-checking process. Please note that some providers rent space in a clinic, or work at a clinic within a clinic, or work at multiple locations, so sometimes the same primary address shows up with different business names and phone numbers. This information has been fact-checked but is subject to change.