thought leader

thought leader

MEDSPEAK

Definition A physician who is well-known, respected by his peers and/or can influence the way in which they practice medicine and prescribe proprietary drugs*.

*Most importantly to the drug companies that coined the term. Drug companies fawn over physician-thought leaders with the hope of actual or implied product endorsements. 

Synonyms Influential physician, key opinion leader, opinion leader

Reference http://chronicle.com/article/The-Secret-Lives-of-Big/124335/