America's leading doctors: from treating heart disease to fighting cancer, These physicians are changing world of medicine.

Lewis is an orthopaedic oncologist who treats children and adults with sarcomas of the soft tissue and bone. Her laboratory interests include developing targeted therapy for the treatment of sarcomas. She has also contributed to articles that appeared in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, and Cancer.

Oscar E. Streeter Jr., M.D.

Title: Chief Physician, Department of Radiation Ontology, Associate Professor of Clinical Radiation Ontology, USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital, Keck School of Medicine at use

Specialty: Diagnostic Radiology, Radiation Oncology

Streeter's interest focuses on breast, head and neck, gastrointestinal malignancies, lymphomas, and 3-D treatment of prostate cancer using a radioactive source placed inside or next to the area requiring treatment. He is the principal investigator for all Radiation Therapy Oncology Group studies at USC.

Selwyn M. Vickers, M.D.

Title: Jay Phillips Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota Medical School

Specialty: Surgical Oncology

Vickers is a nationally renowned surgeon and leader in pancreatic cancer research, including surgical treatments and gene therapy for treating pancreatobiliary tumors. Over the past four years he has been the co-principal investigator on a $4.5 million pancreatic cancer program funded by the National Cancer Institute.

OPHTHALMOLOGY

Malvin Anders, M.D.

Title: Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California

Specialty: Ophthalmicology Surgery

In addition to operating his own private practice in the Los Angeles area, Anders trains resident physicians in surgical ophthalmology. He participates in educational and public awareness programs on glaucoma. Anders also directed the Glaucoma Service at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles.

Eve J. Higginbotham, M.D.

Title: Dean and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Morehouse School of Medicine

Specialty: Ophthalmology

Higginbotham is a world-renowned expert in the treatment of glaucoma. Before her current position, she was the first African American woman to head a university-based ophthalmology department in the U.S. with her appointment at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Mildred M.G. Olivier, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Title: President & CEO of the Midwest Glaucoma Center; Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Midwestern University Olympia Fields Osteopathic Medical Center

Specialty: Ophthalmology, Glaucoma

Olivier has extensive specialized training in treating all forms of glaucoma and related eye diseases. She serves on the National Advisory Council at the National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the world's largest vision research organization.

OPTOMETRY

Ansel T. Johnson, O.D.

Title: Owner and Clinical Director, Vision Salon Eve Care Associates

Specialty: Optometry

Based in the Chicago metropolitan area, Johnson is considered a leading clinician in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma. He has conducted studies for the Glaucoma Research Foundation and provides eve care for homebound disabled patients.

ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY

Erroll J. Bailey, M.D.

Title: President & CEO, Atlanta Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Institute

Specialty: Orthopaedic Surgery

Bailey is regarded as an expert in advanced wound healing products, diabetic wounds, and venous stasis ulcers. Bailey currently operates a private practice that specializes in the complete care of disorders related to the foot and ankle, including treatment for degenerative orthopaedic conditions, fracture care, and joint reconstruction.

Richard E. Grant, M.D.

Title: Professor of Orthopaedics and Edgar B. Jackson Jr., MD, Chair for Diversity, University Hospitals Case Medical Center

Specialty: Total Joint Arthroplasty, General Orthopaedics, and Sickle Cell Induced Osteonecrosis

Grant is former chairman of the department of surgery at Howard University College of Medicine. He is the first African American orthopaedic surgeon to become part of the full-time faculty at University Hospitals of Cleveland.

Lytton A. Kunle-Williams, M.D., M.B.A.

Title: Spine Surgeon, Los Angeles Spine Surgery Institute, St. Vincent Medical Center

Specialty: Spinal Deformities

Williams performs spinal surgeries worldwide while demonstrating new orthopaedic instrumentation, techniques, and approaches. Williams and his wife, Antonia, created The Sierra Leone Children's Charity Fund, a project of the National Heritage Foundation.

Shearwood J. McClelland, M.D., M.P.H.

Title: Director, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Harlem Hospital Center

Specialty: Orthopaedic Surgery, Total Joint Surgery

McClelland attempts individualized care for patients who mostly arrive via the emergency room suffering trauma injuries. To achieve positive outcomes, his approach recognizes public hospital patients' wider backgrounds of pre-existing health problems and socioeconomic challenges.

Michael L. Parks, M.D.

Title: Assistant Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon, Hospital for Special Surgery

Specialty: Joint Replacement, Knee and Hip Revision Surgery

This New York orthopaedic surgeon specializes in hip and knee reconstructions. He weighs individual patients' function and pain when determining surgical or non-surgical alternatives for treating arthritis. His clinical interests include minimally invasive hip and knee replacement surgery.

Edward A. Rankin, M.D.

Title: Founder, Rankin Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center

Specialty: Adult Reconstruction and Hand Surgery

Rankin made history in March when he was elected the new president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons-the first African American to be named to the position. He is currently the chief of orthopaedic surgery service at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C., performing adult reconstruction and hand surgery.

Claudia L. Thomas, M.D.

Title: Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Orthopaedic Surgeon, Tri-County Orthopaedic Center

Specialty: Orthopaedic Surgery

Thomas is the first African American woman to become an orthopaedic surgeon in the US. She is in private practice, specializing in nonoperative medicine. A champion of African Americans and women in the field, she is a recent recipient of the prestigious Diversity Award from The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Michael E. Trice, M.D.

Title: Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Cartilage Restoration

Specialty: Orthopaedic Surgery

Trice trains resident surgeons and runs an active orthopaedic surgical practice, with a special interest in cartilage repair and transplantation. His research interests include diversity in orthopaedics and the study of cartilage restoration, for which he was recently awarded a grant from the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation.

OTOLARYNGOLOGY

Christian Head, M.D.

Title: Associate Professor in Residence, Department of Surgery, Head and Neck Surgery, UCLA

Specialty: Otolaryngology

Head is working to establish the UCLA Head and Neck Tissue Bank while facilitating research on head and neck cancers, which includes cancers of the mouth, tongue, larynx, and pharynx. His work is significant because minority populations have mortality rates for head and neck cancers that are twice that of whites.

Wesley L. Hicks Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Title: Professor of Otolaryogology and Head and Neck Surgery and Professor of Neurosurgery, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Specialty: Head and Neck Surgical Ontology

Hicks has been issued numerous patents related to his interest in tissue engineering and wound repair, which involves reconstituting tissue similar to the original. His laboratory is currently studying novel work in developing bioengineered devices for healing wounds.

Anita Jackson, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S., F.A.A.O.A.

Title: President & CEO, Greater Carolina Ear, Nose & Throat PA/Carolina Center for Health & Wellness; Commissioner, North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund

Specialty: Otolaryngology

In addition to being a top-flight medical professional, Jackson is also an active researcher, whose studies include harmful environmental effects on allergic, sinus, and asthmatic disease. She is currently launching a Multicultural Clinical Trials Center with a Biotech Partners Mentoring Program in Southeastern North Carolina.

Michael E. Jones, M.D.

Title: Otolaryngologist & Plastic Surgeon, Lexington Plastic Surgeons

Specialty: Plastic Surgery, Reconstructive Surgery, Otolaryngology, and Head & Neck surgery

With special interests in ethnic rhinoplasty and scarless surgery for people of color, Jones' specialties are reconstructive surgery and head and neck surgery. He has performed more than 1,000 rhinoplasty procedures and has developed techniques that don't require foreign implants.

Rodney J. Taylor, M.D., M.S.P.H.

Title: Associate Professor, Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Specialty: Otorhinolaryngology