Eleven Shore Medical Center doctors spanning seven specialties were named U.S. News’ Top Doctors of 2011. The physicians include:

Brian D. Altman of Wildwood, ophthalmology; Albert C. Dearden of Egg Harbor Township, pediatrics; Julius Gall of Somers Point, family medicine; Leonard Galler of Ventnor, chairman of the department of surgery; Vijay Kumar Gandhi of Cape May Court House, oncology; Robert M. Goldberg of Somers Point, clinical service chief, department of medical oncology; Ronald C. Gove of Linwood, internal medicine; William E. Hooper of Ocean City, internal medicine; Kevin E. Hunter of Northfield, clinical service chief, department of neurology; Thomas I. Margolis of Linwood, ophthalmology; and Angelo Sparagna, III of Northfield, family medicine.

U.S. News partnered with Castle Connolly Medical, Ltd., to create a physician selection system based on peer nominations. The list is offered as a way for patients to search for the best health care professionals in their area.

Unlike other U.S. News’ Best lists, such as Best Hospitals or Best Colleges, the doctors are not ranked. Rather, the list will act as a directory, sorted by categories such as region and specialty.

More Top Doctors can be found at health.usnews.com/top-doctors.