WATCH: Three Health First Surgeons Named to Prestigious 2025 Newsweek List of America’s Leading Doctors

Dr. Paul Keller has earned his second straight inclusion on the esteemed list

WATCH: Three Health First orthopedic and spine surgeons have been named to Newsweek’s prestigious list of “America’s Leading Doctors” for 2025.  The three Health First surgeons honored this year include: Dr. Paul Keller (Spine Surgery), Dr. Scott Miller (Hip Surgery), and Dr. Brent Stephens (Shoulder Surgery).

---

What you need to know:

■ Three Health First surgeons are named among nation’s top physicians in annual Newsweek ranking.
■ Dr. Paul Keller has earned his second straight inclusion on the esteemed list.
■ Of more than 1 million U.S. physicians, the Newsweek ranking uses in-depth analysis and evaluation to list the top 2,845.
■ All Health First Medical Group orthopedic surgeons are board-certified and fellowship-trained in their orthopedic specialty – an important distinction reflecting commitment to advanced expertise and excellence.
■ Health First this year landed three orthopedic-related specialties in the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings for “High-Performing Specialties.

---

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Three Health First orthopedic and spine surgeons have been named to Newsweek’s prestigious list of “America’s Leading Doctors” for 2025. And one, Dr. Paul Keller, makes his second straight appearance among the esteemed group.

The three Health First surgeons honored this year include Dr. Keller (Spine Surgery), Dr. Scott Miller (Hip Surgery), and Dr. Brent Stephens (Shoulder Surgery).

“We’re thrilled and fortunate to have three Health First surgeons recognized by Newsweek among the nation’s top surgeons, and we congratulate them on this well-deserved honor,” said Terry Forde, Health First President and CEO.

“The steadfast dedication to patient-centered care demonstrated by Drs. Keller, Miller, and Stephens, along with their commitment to excellence and their dedication to improving patients’ lives, are truly inspiring. With more than a million physicians and surgeons across this country, the inclusion of three Health First surgeons named among ‘America’s Best’ further underscores the quality of medical expertise and compassionate care available at Health First and here on the Florida Space Coast.”

The America’s Leading Doctors 2025 list, compiled by Newsweek and Statista, is based on a comprehensive evaluation of top specialists across the U.S.

The selection process combines peer recommendations from thousands of medical professionals, quality-of-care assessments, and analysis of procedure performance using Medicare and commercial claims data.

To ensure credibility, all recognized physicians also had their board certifications verified. This rigorous methodology highlights doctors who consistently deliver outstanding outcomes and are highly respected by their peers.

Choosing the right doctor can be one of the most important health decisions a person makes. Whether you’re seeking relief from chronic knee pain, require a rotator cuff repair surgery, or are in need of advanced care for debilitating spinal conditions, working with the right specialist can make all the difference in outcomes, recovery, and long-term quality of life.

All orthopedic surgeons within the Health First Medical Group are fellowship-trained and board-certified in their orthopedic specialty.

Fellowship training is a highly distinct level of excellence requiring an orthopedic surgeon to complete residency, specialize in a specific subspecialty through a fellowship, and then successfully pass rigorous exams to become board-certified, demonstrating verified national-level expertise beyond residency training.

This combination indicates advanced, specialized knowledge, skills, and clinical judgment in a particular area of orthopedic surgery.

Health First this year landed three orthopedic-related specialties in the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings for “High-Performing Specialties,” including: Hip Fracture, Hip Replacement, and Spinal Fusion.

“A rising tide lifts all boats, and the same can be said of this honor reflecting upon the stellar work of Drs. Keller, Miller and Stephens,” said Victor Vargas, MD, Health First Chief Medical Officer – Hospital Division.

“The leadership, dedication to healing, and compassionate bedside manner each exhibit with everyone they touch – from patients and their loved ones – to fellow colleagues and staff – reflects the core culture of excellence across every level of Health First.”

With more than one million licensed physicians practicing in the United States, navigating options for a high-stakes procedure can be overwhelming, especially for those facing time-sensitive or life-altering decisions.

This year’s ranking recognizes 2,845 outstanding specialists across 15 critical fields, including: cardiothoracic, cataract, colorectal, foot & ankle, glaucoma, hand, hip, knee, Mohs, retina, shoulder, spine, and vascular surgery; sports medicine; and pain management. The top 30 doctors in each specialty are ranked, with those remaining listed in alphabetical order.

To identify the nation’s most respected specialists, Newsweek and global data intelligence firm Statista conducted an in-depth evaluation that included analysis based on Medicare Fee-for-Service claims and commercial data on procedure performance sourced from Arcadia (an online survey of tens of thousands of medical professionals), peer quality-of-care assessments, and verification of board certifications.

From mobility-enhancing joint surgeries to sight-restoring eye procedures and life-saving vascular operations, the doctors recognized in this year’s ranking represent the pinnacle of specialized medical care in the U.S.

Similar Stories