The American Health Council welcomes Susan Littman, MD as “Best in Medicine” in recognition of her extensive contributions to the industry over the course of her 36 year career.

For more than three decades, Dr. Susan Littman has shaped how patients experience cancer care. Her 36-year medical career blends scientific rigor, hands-on clinical skill, and a steady commitment to teaching the next generation of physicians. The result is a reputation as a thoughtful, dedicated leader in oncology and geriatric medicine.

Dr. Littman’s path began with a deep curiosity about how living systems work. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Cornell University in 1976, followed by a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology from the State University of New York at Albany in 1985. That scientific grounding carried her to Albany Medical College, where she received her Doctor of Medicine degree in 1989. She went on to complete her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern, then a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, building the broad clinical foundation she relies on today.

Dr. Littman serves as an internist and geriatrician for TeamHealth, based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Founded in 1979, this physician-led organization was named to Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces in 2024 for its focus on well-being, trust, and collaboration. It’s a fitting home for a physician who has always balanced expertise with compassion.

A board-certified oncologist, Dr. Littman has developed deep experience treating solid tumors, with particular strength in gastrointestinal malignancies. Her work spans cancers of the pancreas, liver, biliary tract, colon, rectum, esophagus, and anal region, along with neuroendocrine tumors. She also focuses on hereditary cancer predisposition and the genetic assessment of tumors, making her a valuable partner for patients facing complex, high-risk diagnoses.

Her clinical work is matched by a strong record in basic research, including immunology, molecular biology, and biochemistry. A central thread is her study of DNA mismatch repair, which helps explain how faulty repair mechanisms drive both hereditary and sporadic cancers, and how those cancers might be better treated.

Dr. Littman believes knowledge should be shared. She previously served as an Assistant Professor in Medical Oncology at Jefferson Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and taught at Duke University Hospital, where she had completed her own fellowship. She has authored more than 15 peer-reviewed articles and selected abstracts, including the well-regarded review “Recent Treatment Advances and Novel Therapies in Pancreas Cancer: A Review,” which has advanced how the medical community approaches one of oncology’s toughest challenges.

She also extends her teaching mission beyond the clinic and classroom through her podcast, “Picture of Health,” where she shares medical insights and practical health information with a wider audience.

Dr. Littman’s expertise has earned membership in respected organizations such as the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Association for Cancer Research, and the American Medical Association. Her honors include being named a Leading Physician of the World as a Top Hematologist and Oncologist in 2014 and Professional of the Year in Oncology in both 2016 and 2017, recognition in the Top 100 Registry, Global Directory of Who’s Who, and Continental Who’s Who Registry, along with multiple listings in prestigious professional registries.

Across every corner of medicine, Dr. Littman has paired scientific skill with a genuine commitment to people. Whether she’s guiding a patient through a difficult diagnosis, mentoring a young physician, or speaking to podcast listeners, she continues to leave a meaningful mark on cancer care and geriatric medicine.