Accepting new patients

Ryan J. Li, M.D., M.B.A.

Accepting new patients

  • Chief, Division of Head and Neck Surgery

Expertise

  • Cancer
  • Otolaryngology (ENT)

Special focus

  • Head and Neck Cancer
  • Head and Neck Surgery
  • Microvascular Reconstruction
  • Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
  • TransOral Robotic Surgery (TORS)

Locations and contact

I see patients at

About me

Dr. Ryan Li  is a surgeon who specializes in:

  • Treating head and neck cancers and thyroid and parathyroid diseases.
  • Transoral robot-assisted surgery to treat some cases of throat (oropharyngeal) cancer. 
  • Repairing head and neck wounds and deformities with microvascular reconstruction techniques, which use tissues from elsewhere on the body to restore skin, muscle or bone in the head and neck. 

Dr. Li is devoted to working with patients and their loved ones through their treatments. As part of the multidisciplinary head and neck cancer team, he supports patients with gentle, clear, and complete care. Dr. Li and the team are dedicated to supporting patients after treatment to ensure the best quality of life they can achieve.   

His research interests include:

  • Household finances related to head and neck cancer treatment.
  • Digital devices to aid recovery from cancer treatment.
  • Clinical trials on shrinking tumors (neoadjuvant immunoradiotherapy) for treatment of oropharyngeal cancer.   

Dr. Li is the Director of OHSU’s:

  • Head and Neck Robotic Surgery Program
  • Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Fellowship

Dr. Li is also the Division Chief for Head and Neck Surgery/Cancer.

In his spare time, Dr. Li enjoys time with his daughter and his wife, Myriam Loyo Li, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who also is a member of the OHSU family. He relishes the company of his extended family in Mexico, Canada, Hong Kong and the eastern United States. He enjoys tennis, running, indoor wall climbing, hiking, and what beautiful Oregon has to offer.

Languages spoken

  • English

Education and training

  • Degrees

    • B.A., 2004, Brown University
    • M.D., 2008, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine
    • M.B.A., 2022, Oregon Health and Science University

  • Residency

    • Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 2014

  • Fellowship

    • Head and neck surgery, microvascular reconstruction, Stanford University, 2015

  • Certifications

    • American Board of Otolaryngology, head and neck surgery (2015)

Memberships and associations:

  • American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
  • American Head and Neck Society (AHNS)
Read faculty profile

Insurance

Before scheduling your appointment, we recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the OHSU Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any copayments, co–insurance, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with OHSU providers, your out of pocket liability may be higher. Visit the billing and insurance section of our site for more information.

Ratings and reviews

Overall: 4.9 out of 5 (385 Ratings, 160 Reviews)

The patient ratings score is an average of all responses to the question "How likely would you be to recommend this provider to your family and friends (on a scale of 0 to 10)" on our nationally-recognized NRC patient surveys.

  1. Dr. Lee came across to me as experienced, very knowledgeable, very empathetic, and very easy to deal with. And I'm very impressed by him. I'm looking forward to having him take care of me.

  2. Dr. Li courteously introduced his two student physicians and asked for my permission prior to starting examination. He was friendly and took plenty time to listen to my concerns and questions. He was efficient and knowledgeable to answer all the questions. He said my returns to him in future are welcome in the event I develop more symptoms. I can trust his care.

  3. Professional and personable, I felt like everything was explained well to me. I feel like I know what to expect with the surgery. I am looking forward to getting this thing out of my neck!

  4. Dr. Li was terrific. Thorough exam.

  5. I was very, very pleased with my visit to Dr. Li. He covered all the bases. He kept me well informed on what was going on, what we were going to do, and everything. I couldn't have been more pleased with my experience with Dr. Li.

  6. It was pleasant. I hope things can be done all in one day, with as far as we have to travel for just one visit

  7. Both Dr. Lee and Dr. Ashraf always treatment with great care and understanding.

  8. Always great to see Dr Li. Total confidence in him.

  9. Great.

  10. Referred to provider as a thyroid ENT specialist, very attentive, welcomed my questions and gave answers, invited future contact if requested.

  11. Excellent doc.

  12. Ryan Li is wonderful. He's very encouraging, eases my mind about issues, and I recommend him highly. It's a very difficult job, and he does it top-notch, 100%. Thank you very much.

  13. Always pleasant, great Doctor!

  14. Dr Li was very knowledgeable and very excellent in responding to our inquiries regarding potential medical process that will probably occur in near future.

  15. Extremely satisfied. So very impressed.

  16. Dr Li was very personable and wanted to make sure we knew what medical recommendations he suggested. He also wanted to make sure we understood our options. He assured us that records would be sent back to primary care and he would follow up in 6 months. We are very happy.

  17. Dr. Li was very patient and took the time to carefully explain the diagnostic tests that I took and the results and various options we might have moving forward. And I truly, truly appreciate that he didn't (INAUDIBLE) with me. He me just had an understanding of radiology and so I just appreciate what he offered. Thank you.

  18. Dr. Li and the nurses were very thorough and pleasant.

  19. Appointment went as scheduled. No waiting. Dr. Ryan was top notch in my opinion. Very thorough and explained everything.

  20. Dr. Li and his student were very professional and explained things thoroughly. They listened to my concerns and made me feel comfortable with their findings.

  21. For me he was an excellent doctor, very patient, very careful, I would recommend him 100%, he is a very kind person and also explains very well what he wants to tell us, no, and he gave me a lot of confidence.

  22. Unbelievably caring, understanding, compassionate and knowledgeable. Thank you Dr Li.

  23. Had to have some oral surgery which Dr. Li made much easy on me than I had expected. He is truly a gifted individual

  24. Thank you. My experience with Dr. Lee was wonderful. I would recommend him to anybody. He listens, he acted like he had all the time in the world to answer all my questions and was very gentle with the scope that he did. So I would recommend him highly. Thank you.

  25. My experience with Dr Li, was incredibly good. He had read my complete history before our phone visit and was prepared with questions, answers and a full explanation of how he intended to proceed with my health needs going forward.

  26. dr was providing instruction to the dr actually working on me. I felt very confident that she knew her stuff. However, it was hard to have confidence in the student's ability.

  27. Dr Li is excellent. Friendly, responsive, informative. I feel very comfortable with him and happy he is treating me!

  28. It was great

  29. Ryan Li, MD. Is an amazing Doctor. I feel confident when he addresses my concerns. I can't begin to tell you how comforting, being in stage four cancer remission that is. I'm blessed to be in his care….Thank You OHSU!

  30. Dr. Ryan Li has the most wonderful bedside manner. He explains everything in tangible terms, and always checks to make sure we are on the same page. Even during in office procedures that are usually uncomfortable, Dr. Li makes it bearable and keeps me aware of each and every step. Super appreciative of him, his care, and smile. Truly makes these visits something to actually look forward to. Thank you, Dr. Li!

  31. Dr. Lee is a very, in my opinion, a great surgeon. He did a wonderful job for me and his follow-up care has been exceptional. And I would recommend him to any family member or friend.

  32. First visit with Dr Li was great. He is very Articulate, precise, focused, and explains the situations well. I'm very impressed with his caring humbleness and confidence. I'm very confident about Him in doing my Surgery. Very pleasant Doctor.. great communicator.

  33. Very thorough, seen on time.

  34. Dr Li was very thorough & very willing to answer all of my questions & family questions.

  35. Yesterday was my first time coming to the clinic, ENT, and the doctor, and the office, everybody. The process went very well. I was very pleased. I had very good customer care, and I really, really appreciate that. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

  36. They took the time to talk to me, to explain everything to me. It was a great experience

  37. As usual, my visit with Dr Li was very informative, professional and pleasant.

  38. I have a lot of confidence in Dr. Ryan Li. He always listens to me. He's friendly. He's patient. He understands the questions I'm asking and he answers them and treats me very nicely. Thank you.

  39. I liked the attention, friendliness, knowledge and understanding of my diagnosis, I liked the quick solution to my problem.

  40. Dr Li, was very personable! I really liked him.

  41. I think Dr. Lee is an excellent doctor. I would refer him to anyone. Bye.

  42. Regular follow up exam post surgery April, 2021. Dr. Li is professional, professional and understanding. Listens to questions and concerns and addresses them in an understandable way.

  43. Dr. Li was so kind in explaining what I needed to do next. Made arrangements for me to get the biopsy that was required on the same day. Provided thorough information and answered all my questions. So appreciated!

  44. Was treated very respectfully, Doctors listen to me and communicated very well

  45. Wonderful man and doctor

  46. Easy parking, no waiting for appointment, helpful personnel.

  47. Every experience with OHSU has been friendly and professional. My cansor surgeon Dr Li has been the kindest, most considerate Dr that I have met. He has helped me throughout this very difficult time in my life.

  48. The provider was open-minded, answered all questions, and was willing to look into ... explore alternatives for me. And he found an alternative treatment for me. So, I value that and valued his engagement and his willingness to answer questions.

  49. Dr. Li very kindly squeezed me in to his tight schedule very soon. This was very helpful. He seemed to be kind and very competent.

  50. Great advice and answered questions

  51. Great guy. You guys should pay him a lot more money than you do. He's worth a lot for your organization and you got to keep good people around. So you got to do that.

  52. Willing to listen and doesn't seem to be in a hurry or rush. Pleasant and informative.

  53. Even though the marque said he was running 30 minutes behind, we did not have to wait long. The nurse assistant was efficient and thorough (also FAMILY!). The training resident was a joy and gave me hope that the diagnosis would not be as dire as I had first considered. Then Dr. Li confirmed that as well. Follow-up in a year UNLESS something happens. Thank you GOD!

  54. Very kind and informative toward my concerns

  55. Dr Li is excellent. He explains himself clearly and in an understandable way, and has a wonder manner.

  56. I would Dr. Li to everyone I ever know with ENT issues. He is amazing. Quick to reply to issues, flexible, and absolutely wonderful to work with as a patient. 10 stars!

  57. When I came to the office, I was very nervous. Once I saw first the fellow and then the surgeon, they put me at ease right away. I was so happy that I had come because I was thinking of canceling, but I would recommend them to anyone.

  58. Great

  59. Both DrLi and assistant were very friendly, personable, and knowledgeable.Was put at ease with how genuine the doctor was. Very thorough and thoughtful. I feel I will be in good hands.

  60. Dr. Li listens well and answers questions thoroughly.

  61. He was very thorough in his explanations about my health problems. And very empathetic.

  62. Dr. Li was amazing. He patiently took time to discuss my diagnosis, treatment options and surgical process from start to finish and aftercare and physical therapy. Dr. Li asked if we questions or any concerns. Dr. Li made it clear that we could go home and think about his recommendations and get back to him. To the contrary, we felt confident enough with the facts and process Dr. Li presented that we decided on the spot to move forward with the recommended surgery. Dr. Li has outstanding people skills, making great eye contact and making the patient and family feel calm and assured. He is an excellent communicator and professional.

  63. Very happy with the care from Dr. Li and staff.

  64. Dr. Li was great. He was honest, straightforward, great information, answered questions well, knowledgeable and I felt like I got everything I needed. Thank you.

  65. Wonderful - very kind and explained everything- glad he's in my corner

  66. Always a pleasant experience.

  67. Staff was really friendly, and very knowledgeable, and the doctor made me feel comfortable, and explained everything completely to my full understanding.

  68. Yes, I was very, very pleased with the presentation Dr. Li put on and and the explanation of what was needed to be done and how and why. He was very, very thorough. Most friendly, likable person I've ever seen. Other than that, I can't say anymore. I mean, I don't think he could get any better than that. So once again, thank you very much for your for your time and very very good experience.

  69. He was very personable. Answered questions that arised.

  70. Reassuring. Very kind

  71. Dr Ryan Li is a very great provider. He has patience for his patients.

  72. I always look forward to my appointment with Dr. Li. I am now seeing him annually and get the same scrutiny as I did when I saw him weekly after my surgeries. He has the utmost respect for me as a patient and as a friend.

  73. Excellent... Dr. Li is always great.

  74. Professional, knowledgeable doctor and staff.

  75. My experience was thorough, direct, clear, professional and compassionate.

  76. Dr. Li was personable and friendly but factual in his delivery of necessary information, and my husband and I greatly appreciated that. His calmness made it easier for us to be calm, and his encouragement to focus on every positive aspect and just go forward was truly encouraging to do exactly that. Dr. Li equipped us with all of the information we needed to get through the following steps of the process we are in, gave us ample opportunity for asking questions, and didn't hesitate to wholly answer every question we asked. All of this built trust that my specific situation, my well-being itself, will be carefully and thoughtfully watched over by a team of competent care providers. That, in itself, lowers the stress level immensely and helps to enable us to keep our necessary focus. My husband and I are extremely thankful that we have been referred to OHSU.

  77. I had a very extensive surgery and a week long stay in the hospital. The doctors were very good and their work and care were absolutely stellar. I'm certain I had the best care and experience possible.

  78. Dr. Li was compassionate, incredibly knowledgeable, and did a wonderful job of shared decision making while at the same time clearly indicating what he thought was the optimal treatment for my cancer. He was respectful and kind.

  79. Great listener, skilled physician, and very personable.

  80. Very fortunate to have Dr. Li as my provider. Knowledgeable and friendly every visit.

  81. Very impressed with the professionalism of Dr. Li and all of the staff from the hospital and the follow up. So thank you very much for the wonderful care.

  82. Amazing and very satisfied.