Dr. William R. Ryan is an otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon who cares for patients with cancerous and noncancerous tumors, as well as inflammatory disorders of the salivary glands. He has expertise in a range of surgeries to treat head and neck tumors, including robotic, endoscopic and other minimally invasive techniques, as well as traditional approaches. This expertise specifically includes transoral robotic surgery (a minimally invasive technique using high-definition 3D magnification for procedures in the mouth or throat), sialendoscopy (endoscopy for salivary gland disorders), sentinel lymph node biopsy (a procedure to check whether cancer has spread) and regional facial reconstruction. He also regularly performs ultrasounds in both the clinic and the operating room. He is committed to being accessible to his patients.
Ryan co-directs UCSF's program in robotic head and neck surgery, clinic for thyroid and parathyroid surgery, and center for salivary gland surgery. He conducts research on outcomes and other aspects of head and neck surgery, salivary duct surgery, and head and neck radiology. In addition, he teaches UCSF medical students, residents and fellows. He is director of the UCSF advanced head and neck oncologic surgery fellowship, and also runs a year-long clinical research fellowship for medical students.
Ryan earned his medical degree at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he also completed a residency in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery. He completed a fellowship in advanced head and neck cancer and endocrine surgery at UCSF. He joined the UCSF faculty in 2011.
Ryan has authored more than 100 articles in medical journals and several book chapters. He is regularly invited to lecture and serve on panels around the country, internationally and at UCSF on various aspects of head and neck surgery, salivary duct surgery, and head and neck ultrasound, and has given over 200 lectures and presentations. He co-directs two annual UCSF-sponsored conferences, one on innovations in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery and one on new techniques in salivary duct surgery.
In his free time, Ryan enjoys surfing, skiing, playing guitar, seeing live music, hiking, traveling and spending time with friends and family, especially his wife, daughter and son.
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