Drs. Jay Luthar and Julia Loewenthal of Lutanen Health in Boston's Back Bay have been named 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctors, marking the second consecutive year they have received this professional recognition. Only 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians are selected annually as Castle Connolly Top Doctors for their specialties within their regions, making this a significant achievement that underscores their standing among medical peers.
The recognition comes as validation for the distinctive practice model at Lutanen Health, which describes itself as a bespoke primary care and longevity practice grounded in deep, sustained patient relationships and strategic health stewardship. Unlike traditional volume-driven practices, each physician at Lutanen Health maintains a panel of no more than 150 patients, allowing for intensive focus on individual health optimization. The practice represents the only academically affiliated primary care practice in Boston where longevity science is systematically integrated into everyday clinical care.
"The Castle Connolly recognition affirms what I believe matters most in medicine: time, trust, and partnership," said Dr. Luthar. He emphasized the shared conviction with Dr. Loewenthal that care should be uniquely designed for each patient, noting that understanding someone's biology, context, and goals over time enables care that is both more effective and deeply human.
At Lutanen Health, primary care transforms into private health management with a proactive approach that identifies health risks long before symptoms emerge. The practice allocates interventions across the lifespan to preserve vigor and delay decline rather than simply reacting to illness after it manifests. This forward-looking methodology is supported by advanced diagnostic technologies including AI-guided plaque detection, multi-cancer early detection blood testing, VO₂ max testing, biological age tracking, advanced biomarker and genetic analysis, comprehensive fitness and mobility assessment, and structured sleep evaluation.
Both physicians bring specialized training to their practice. Dr. Luthar is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Integrative Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine, while Dr. Loewenthal holds board certifications in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine, with board eligibility in Integrative Medicine. Their fellowship training in integrative medicine allows them to incorporate mind-body science and holistic approaches to lifestyle optimization and wellness. The clinical team specializes in managing complex internal medicine cases while addressing the unique needs of older patients, including frailty risk, medication optimization, and age-related vitality preservation.
The practice operates from a newly designed 3,000 square foot healing space in Back Bay that includes a state-of-the-art human performance laboratory. Practice amenities reflect the relationship-driven model with extended visits, same-day appointments, 24/7 physician access, individualized nutrition counseling, and home visits for select patients to ensure continuity of care. Additional conveniences include complimentary valet parking.
Both physicians maintain academic faculty roles at Harvard Medical School, where Dr. Luthar serves as an Instructor and Dr. Loewenthal as an Assistant Professor. Their work bridges clinical care, education, and research to advance the science of healthy aging. The Castle Connolly selection process involves peer physician nominations followed by review by the physician-led Castle Connolly research team, which evaluates nominees based on medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories. Castle Connolly publishes its Top Doctors list at https://castleconnolly.com and in various print and online partner publications.
The recognition of these two physicians highlights a growing trend toward personalized, preventive medicine that prioritizes long-term health optimization over episodic illness treatment. For patients, this approach represents a shift from reactive healthcare to proactive health management, potentially reducing disease burden and improving quality of life across the lifespan. For the medical industry, their model demonstrates how integrating longevity science into primary care can create more sustainable, effective healthcare delivery systems that address the complex needs of an aging population while maintaining the human connection at the heart of healing.
