Ryan Funk | Peoria, IL
Surgeon | Peoria Ear, Nose, & Throat
Ryan Funk has always been driven by a desire to meet people's needs. Born and raised in the Peoria area, he married Alyssa in 2007 and graduated from Bradley University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science. He worked in various local ministries as his family welcomed their first son.
In 2010, moved by the images of earthquake victims in Haiti, Ryan decided to pursue medicine. “I knew hardly anything about the practice of medicine or the journey to become a surgeon when I made the decision to pursue this path,” writes Ryan. “During those years, there was a lot of uncertainty and struggle to simply provide for the basic needs of my family. We learned a lot about humility and delayed gratification during that time.”
Over the next several years, the Funks moved multiple times as Ryan studied, completed his residency and focused his skills on minimally invasive and in-office procedures to treat sleep disorders and nasal and sinus disease.
Now reestablished in Peoria, Dr. Funk works as a Surgeon at Peoria Ear, Nose, & Throat. “I have utmost respect and admiration for my partners who have faithfully served our community in a spirit of altruism and created a practice that will support the continuation of this care by those who come after them.”
His path to medicine and back to Peoria may have been circuitous, but Dr. Funk has already left his mark. “The feedback from his patients is unanimous,” writes his wife, Alyssa, “the combination of his tender care and medical expertise has had a profound impact on their lives, not just for the physical solutions or healing of their ailments, but for how he listened and made them feel valued as a human being.”
“Be patient. Be faithful. Be humble. Continue to rise to the challenges of the day, and when you’ve done all you can do, rest with confidence in a power beyond your own.”
While passionate about many nonprofits, Ryan is especially partial to Safe Families for Children, an organization the provides support for families in crisis. The Funks have welcomed many children into their home while their parents regained stability. Ryan has also served at Children’s Home Youth Farm, Berean Prison Ministry, Pathway Ministries and Midwest Food Bank.
The Funk home is an energetic space, with four busy boys. “His greatest leadership role of all,” writes Alyssa, “is as a dad to his four boys. This is the role he treasures most, and his passion, joy and intention are on display every day.” Ryan is grateful to be back in Peoria, married to his best friend of 18 years and raising his family in a vibrant community.