DFM Providers Named Denver's Top Doctors for 2026

“Over 650 CU Anschutz School of Medicine Providers Named in 2026 5280 Magazine's Top Docs List.”

It’s that time of year again! 5280 Magazine has released its annual list of Denver’s Top Doctors of 2026, recognizing physicians across 80 medical specialties in the Denver metro area. The CU Anschutz Department of Family Medicine (DFM) is proud to celebrate 35 of our providers who earned a spot on this year's list.

For more than three decades, 5280 Magazine, in partnership with Castle Conolly, has helped patients find the best health care by connecting them with top-tier providers through their annual rankings.

The selection process is based on peer-to-peer nominations, open to all licensed physicians in the United States, allowing them to nominate peers in any specialty and region. The research team then thoroughly vets each nominee’s professional qualifications, including: education, professional reputation, research leadership, hospital and faculty appointments, disciplinary history, and outcomes data. Interpersonal skills such as listening, communicating effectively, demonstrating empathy, and instilling trust and confidence are also considered.

Below is the list of recognized DFM faculty and clinicians, representing a range of specialties including Family Medicine, Addiction Medicine, Sports Medicine, and more. Names are presented in alphabetical order by last name.

• Morris Askenazi, MD
• Kelly Arnett, MD, MPH
• Stephanie Augustine, MD
• Brian Bacak, MD 
• Melissa Beagle, MD, MPH/MSPH
• Boris Bayerman, DO
• Bhargavi Chekuri, MBBS, MD, MS
• Barrett Cowan, MD
• William Gillaspie, MD
• Felipe Hernandez, MD
• Julian Hsu, MD
• Shannon Jantz, MD
• Morteza Khodaee, MD
• Stacey King, MD
• Kaylin Klie, MD, MA
• Daniel Kortsch, MD
• Michelene Kuhr, MD
• Jeffrey Lewis, MD
• Matthew Lewis, MD
• Santosh Nandi, MD
• Lauren Oberle, MD
• George Olsen, MD
• Shalvi Patel, MD
• K. Brooke Pengel, MD
• Lara Penny, MD
• Isaac Pierre, MD
• Sourav Poddar, MD
• Arvin Rao, MD
• Robert Rhodes, MD
• Rachel Rodriguez, MD, FAAFP
• Michele Salli, MD
• Mary Schmitz, MD
• Adam Wolff, MD
• James Woodrow, MD
• Moon Yoon, MD

Congratulations to our DFM colleagues whose dedication to patient care, education, research, and service continues to make a meaningful impact on the communities and families they serve.

Read more about the other CU Anschutz physicians who made the list.