Robert C. Kern, MD

4.7

823 ratings Read Reviews

Northwestern Medical Group

Primary Specialty

Otolaryngology

Secondary Specialty

Head and Neck Surgery

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HealthBeat

Chronic Sinusitis and Nasal Polyps: Diagnosis and Treatment

Finding the root cause of your sinus infection is the first step to finding relief.

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Practice Focus Areas

This medical professional has a particular interest or expertise in:

Complex Sinonasal and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery
Sinus Surgery
Sinusitis
Skull Base Surgery
Sleep Apnea Surgery
Tonsil and Adenoid Disorders
Tonsillitis

Education

Medical Education:: MD, Thomas Jefferson University Sidney Kimmel Medical College - 1985
Residency:: Wayne State University School of Medicine - 1990

Board Certifications

American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery - Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (Certified)

Faculty Profile

Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine

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Practice Groups and Affiliations

Medical Group:: Northwestern Medical Group
Alignment Category:: Northwestern Medicine Physician Network
On Medical Staff At:: Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Ratings and Reviews

At Northwestern Medicine, our patient’s feedback is important to us. While different care providers have their own unique strengths, we strive to be as transparent as possible with our quality of care.

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Overall Rating

4.7

4.7

823 Ratings

Reviews from Patients

49 Reviews

Reviews from Patients

49 Reviews

February 20, 2026

5.0

Very knowledgeable and kind.

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February 16, 2026

5.0

He's extremely experienced and very kind.

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February 16, 2026

5.0

Quick and efficient.

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February 04, 2026

5.0

Dr Kern and Marisa are the gold standard.

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January 19, 2026

5.0

As above- knew exactly what was wrong and after surgery am so much better.

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January 14, 2026

5.0

Dr. Kern is very pragmatic and technically strong. He successfully performed a procedure to reduce turbinate size in my left sinus and I have experienced the expected relief. I recently saw him to address a couple of issues related to other challenges I have with my sinuses and was pleased with the visit and its outcome.

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January 09, 2026

5.0

He was great

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January 09, 2026

5.0

See above. Also took time to listen.

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December 24, 2025

5.0

Amazing doctor - best in the business, available when needed, super transparent and has an amazing team

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December 19, 2025

5.0

He really knows his practice. I felt really comfortable with him. He really took his time and did not rush me out the office.

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December 18, 2025

5.0

I've been seeing Dr. Kern for close to 30 years and we'll go nowhere else for ENT assistance

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December 01, 2025

5.0

Great team

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November 26, 2025

5.0

On time, practical, available for questions

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November 23, 2025

5.0

Dr. Kern is extremely professional. I feel seen and in the best hands. He does a nice job at explaining each step of what he is doing in a way that I can understand. He is very kind, too!

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November 19, 2025

5.0

Very informative and knowledgeable on the technology and terminology for procedure.

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November 14, 2025

5.0

Great bedside manner!

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November 03, 2025

5.0

Liked his technique, honest and thorough

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October 31, 2025

5.0

He's knowledgeable about his profession

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October 30, 2025

5.0

His experience and professionalism...

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October 29, 2025

5.0

Dr. Kern is friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient.

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October 27, 2025

5.0

Excellent surgeon . I have been seeing him for about 5 years off and on . Very responsive , knowledgeable and attentive

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October 24, 2025

5.0

Pleasant and thorough. Took the image himself to get what he needed

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October 23, 2025

5.0

Please see the previous comments. I wish that all of the physicians I encountered at Northwestern could be like him.

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October 08, 2025

5.0

Same as above. Dr Kern saw me promptly, was very knowledgeable and answered my questions. Also has a nice sense of humor. Recommended a reasonable course of action to resolve my allergy/breathing issues.

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September 28, 2025

5.0

Knows and understands symptoms. Provides treatment options and listens well. Would highly recommend to others experiencing similar chronic symptoms.

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September 27, 2025

5.0

He was very helpful, kind, and efficient

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September 12, 2025

5.0

Dr Kern is knowledgeable and highly qualified

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September 08, 2025

5.0

He has saw me through 3 surgeries and I feel comfortable with him.

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September 08, 2025

5.0

Very knowledgeable and straightforward

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September 03, 2025

5.0

He was very professional and experienced.

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August 26, 2025

5.0

See above. Experience, wisdom, a kindly disposition. In my view, Health Professionals continue to learn, and be curious - each "body" is different - and this is part of what constitutes proper research. Dr Kern seems to be "of" that category.

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August 07, 2025

5.0

He fixed me

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August 06, 2025

5.0

He is super sweet & listened to me

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July 30, 2025

5.0

Excellent bedside manner, reassuring, and knowledgeable of issues that I have. Came up with a plan after much interaction with him. A seasoned professional!

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July 14, 2025

5.0

Amazing expert, great resolution of my condition.

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July 14, 2025

5.0

Knowledge

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July 09, 2025

5.0

Dr. Kern took an extra effort to fit me into his schedule to look at a potential issue that was concerning. He then provided careful and understandable guidance that eased my concern.

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July 07, 2025

5.0

Decades of expertise, stellar execution.

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July 03, 2025

5.0

He is very concerned that his patients are very well cared for!!

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June 27, 2025

5.0

Good care, bedside manner and answers all the questions politely with a smile

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June 16, 2025

5.0

Fixed the problem!

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June 14, 2025

5.0

Responsive and reassuring!

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June 11, 2025

5.0

Great bedside manner, caring responses to questions and confidence exudes from his presence.

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June 09, 2025

5.0

Informative

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June 09, 2025

5.0

Very knowledgeable and thorough exam with practical treatment options

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June 04, 2025

5.0

Excellent doctor

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June 02, 2025

5.0

Experience and explanation

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May 26, 2025

5.0

Knowledgeable, efficient, professional.

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May 12, 2025

5.0

Like Dr. Kern told me, he's been doing this for a long time.

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Disclosures

Industry Relationships

Ownership or Investment Interest

Faculty member and/or their immediate family have an ownership or investment interest in the following companies

Lyra Therapeutics, Inc.

Consulting

Faculty member and/or their immediate family have engaged in activities such as speaking, advising, consulting, or providing educational programs for the following companies or other entities

Aerin Medical Inc
Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc. (GLG)
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
Lyra Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly 480 Biomedical Inc.)
Medical Expert Legal Alliance, LLP
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Sanofi

External Professional Relationships

Pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies frequently collaborate with basic scientists and physicians within an academic medical center to help advance science and improve patient care. These relationships are important in achieving scientific breakthroughs and in establishing the effectiveness and safety of promising new therapies. In order to assure objectivity in clinical research and patient care, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Feinberg), Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have adopted integrity policies that require research and clinical faculty (in full-time, part-time, and unpaid/voluntary categories) to report compensated and uncompensated external industry relationships. Patients are encouraged to discuss these disclosures with their physician as well as to inquire as to how these relationships are overseen by Feinberg. To learn more about our Disclosure and Professional Integrity Policy, and the conflict of interest policies of our joint affiliate survey partners, please go to our Office for Regulatory Affairs Policies page.

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HealthBeat

Chronic Sinusitis and Nasal Polyps: Diagnosis and Treatment

Finding the root cause of your sinus infection is the first step to finding relief.

More HealthBeat Articles