Independence Health System Physicians Recognized Among Pittsburgh Magazine’s 2025 Top Doctors™

BUTLER, PA – May 20, 2025 – Physicians across Independence Health System have once again earned the distinguished honor of being named among Pittsburgh Magazine’s Top Doctors™ for 2025.

Each year, Pittsburgh Magazine collaborates with Castle Connolly, a trusted healthcare research and information company, to publish a list of outstanding physicians as nominated and recognized by their peers with a mission to help connect consumers with best-in-class healthcare providers. The selection process is rigorous and impartial, focusing on excellence in clinical care and patient-centered communication.

“On behalf of our entire health system, I extend sincere congratulations to our physicians recognized as 2025 Top Doctors,” said President and CEO Ken DeFurio. “This recognition reflects not only their exceptional skill and compassion but also the strength and dedication of our entire medical staff to provide exceptional care to our communities.”

The following physicians from our system received this year’s Top Doctors™ distinction:

George P. Davliakos, MD                 Butler & Clarion Area Cardiac & Thoracic Surgery

Michael Szwerc, MD, FACS             Westmoreland Area Cardiac & Thoracic Surgery

Daniel Leigey, MD                            Westmoreland Area Orthopedic Surgery

Lance Brunton, MD                          Westmoreland Area Orthopedic Surgery

Kevin Leighton, MD                         Butler Area Primary Care

Lindsay Venditti, MD                       Butler Area Primary Care

Daniel Gagné, MD, FACS, FASMBS    Butler & Clarion Area Surgery

Mark Zelkovic, MD, FACS               Westmoreland Area Surgery

Kevin Traub, MD                             Butler Area Urology

Castle Connolly’s selection process involves nominations from licensed physicians and thorough evaluation by a physician-led research team. Doctors are assessed based on professional qualifications, hospital and faculty appointments, education, interpersonal skills, professional reputation, and outcomes. In 2025, more than 70,000 physicians earned recognition as Top Doctors from a pool of over 1 million U.S. Doctors, placing them in the top 7% of nominees. 

To learn more about Castle Connolly’s methodology or to view the full list of recognized physicians, visit www.castleconnolly.com.

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Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and 7,300 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning more than 10 counties. 

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health