Dr. Jeffrey A. Sternberg, a renowned colorectal surgeon, has been named a 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking his 14th consecutive year receiving this prestigious honor. This distinction places him among the top 7% of physicians in the United States, recognizing his exceptional clinical excellence and compassionate patient care. The Castle Connolly Top Doctor designation is a significant professional achievement, selected through a rigorous peer nomination process that evaluates medical education, training, hospital appointments, and professional conduct. Importantly, physicians cannot purchase this recognition, making it a genuine reflection of professional merit.
Dr. Sternberg, the founder of The Sternberg Clinic in San Francisco, has gained international recognition for his specialized expertise in treating pilonidal disease, a complex condition affecting an estimated 1-3% of adolescents and young adults. This condition often leads to prolonged medical challenges and significant patient distress. Throughout his career, Dr. Sternberg has pioneered the Pilonidal RAF (Rotation and Advancement Flap) Procedure, also known as the Cleft Lift Procedure. This innovative surgical technique addresses the root cause of pilonidal disease by flattening the deep buttock cleft and repositioning incisions to promote proper healing. His approach has demonstrated remarkable efficacy, with a reoperation rate of less than 1% across more than 1,300 consecutive cases, offering a highly reliable solution for a condition known for high recurrence rates.
Beyond his specialized work in pilonidal disease, Dr. Sternberg provides comprehensive colorectal care, treating conditions such as anorectal abscesses, anal fistulas, hemorrhoids, and rectal bleeding. His medical credentials are robust, featuring double board certification and training from prestigious institutions including Harvard Medical School and the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. His commitment extends beyond clinical practice into medical education and patient advocacy. As a clinical assistant professor at UCSF and an attending surgeon at Sutter Health's California Pacific Medical Center, he contributes to advancing medical knowledge and patient care standards.
Dr. Sternberg's dedication to educating both patients and colleagues is evident through his efforts to disseminate knowledge about pilonidal disease and surgical best practices. This recognition matters because it validates a career dedicated not only to technical surgical innovation but also to holistic patient care and medical education. For patients suffering from pilonidal disease and other colorectal conditions, Dr. Sternberg's sustained excellence represents access to a proven, high-success-rate surgical option and compassionate care. For the medical community, his repeated recognition sets a benchmark for clinical achievement and underscores the importance of peer-validated expertise in specialized surgical fields. The implications of this announcement reinforce the value of sustained clinical excellence, peer recognition in medicine, and the critical role of specialized surgeons in improving outcomes for patients with complex, often stigmatized conditions.
