Dr. Ryan E. Stern is a board-certified ENT surgeon who has spent 25+ years helping patients breathe better, sleep better, and feel better. Known for his calm, patient-first approach, he offers minimally invasive nasal and sinus care for the Pacific Northwest community.
Professional Background
Dr. Stern is a Clinical Associate Professor of Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Washington and the Managing Partner at The Stern Sinus Center. He has been caring for patients in the South Puget Sound region for decades. He has also been named one of Washington’s Top 10 ENT Surgeons and leads a team recognized as a Center of Excellence for sinus and nasal procedures.
Education and Training
Dr. Stern earned his undergraduate degree with honors from The Johns Hopkins University, followed by his medical degree with honors from the New York University School of Medicine. He completed his fellowship training at UCSF and his Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery residency at the University of Washington. He also holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Washington.
Clinical Focus and Expertise
As a subspecialty-trained rhinologist, Dr. Stern focuses primarily on nasal and sinus conditions. Most of his patients struggle with chronic nasal congestion, sinus infections, post-nasal drip, or sleep-related problems. His surgical focus is on minimally invasive procedures that reduce downtime while delivering lasting relief. He also treats complex ENT conditions and is comfortable managing challenging cases when others have not found answers.
Teaching and Leadership
Dr. Stern has served on the surgical faculty at the University of Washington since 2007 and is the Head of Rhinology at the Puget Sound VA Hospital. He also teaches residents and medical students while caring for veterans nearly every week. This academic role helps him stay closely connected to the latest research, techniques, and best practices in sinus and nasal care, which he brings directly into his private practice for the benefit of his patients.
Philosophy of Care
Dr. Stern believes strongly in treating patients the way he would want his own family treated. He always takes the time to listen to each patient’s individual goals and concerns and exhausts all possible non-surgical options whenever appropriate before advancing to minimally invasive, in-office procedures or sinus surgeries. When surgery is necessary, he aims to offer the safest, most effective treatments with the best chance for success.
Life Outside the Office
A longtime Pacific Northwest resident for over 25 years, Dr. Stern leads an active life outside the office. He and his wife, Jamie, have three children, and much of his free time is spent skiing at Crystal Mountain, biking, or playing pickleball and softball. His Bernese Mountain Dog, Maggie, is often by his side, especially in the snow. He is a die-hard baseball fan who loves the Chicago Cubs and the Mariners. During football season, Fridays are always Blue Friday—Go Hawks.
