Born in Ohio, CDR Sterns is a graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy, holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/International Business from the University of Akron and a Master of Healthcare Administration from the Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He completed his master’s capstone via Duke Heart Center, Duke University Medical Center. Additionally, CDR Sterns is a graduate of Naval Command and Staff and holds a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies, with a concentration in Asia-Pacific Studies, from the U.S. Naval War College.
He received a direct appointment in the Medical Service Corps, in 2004, reporting as Department Head of Administration, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD. He transferred to Naval Health Clinic Annapolis, in 2006, as Chief Information Officer and Department Head of Operations. He later served as the Clinic Manager for Brigade Dental and Emergency Management/Disaster Preparedness Officer supporting interagency response contingencies for the National Capital Region, including the 2007 Middle East Peace Conference.
In 2008, he reported as the Medical Administration Officer onboard USS IWO JIMA (LHD-7) deploying as part of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked, supporting combat operations and contingencies in the Fifth and Sixth Fleet areas of responsibility, including anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. In 2009, he deployed again as medical liaison to the White House Medical Unit.
In 2010, CDR Sterns reported to Naval Health Clinic Hawaii as Assistant Director, Branch Health Clinics, with daily clinic operations responsibility for Marine Corps Base Hawaii. In 2011, he deployed in support of PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP onboard USS CLEVELAND (LPD-7) as a Medical Planner/Asst. Officer-in-Charge for several Medical/Dental Civil Action Project sites throughout Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Micronesia. Prior to departing Hawaii, he was assigned as the Joint Medical Operations Center Liaison to the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, during Exercise KEY RESOLVE.
In 2013, CDR Sterns was selected for a Fellowship in Plans, Operations and Medical Intelligence at U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, VA., where he completed a comprehensive analysis on improvements to the Fleet’s Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical System. He was further assigned as the sole Maritime Medical Capabilities Advisor to Joint Task Force 82nd Airborne. In 2014, he transferred to U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command, Norfolk, VA., as Acting Deputy, Health Service Support, providing Global Force Management across organizing, training, and equipping, including the 2014-2016 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa.
CDR Sterns became the Officer in Charge, Naval Branch Health Clinic Kingsville, TX, in 2016. Supporting the Navy and Marine Corps advanced carrier-strike pipeline. His team was recognized from 2016-2019 on the Navy Surgeon General’s "Best of the Best" list across 14 categories, earning #1 across the entire Military Health System for customer service and patient satisfaction.
From 2019 to 2020, CDR Sterns served as the Director of Medical Operations for Naval Special Warfare Group TWO. From 2020 to 2021, he deployed to East Africa as the Surgeon and Senior Medical Advisor for Joint Special Operations Task Force - Somalia and Joint Force Special Operations Component Commander, during Operation OCTAVE QUARTZ. He was additionally appointed as the Joint Special Operations Task Force Liaison to the U.S. Ambassador in Djibouti and to the Commander, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa. From 2021 to 2022, he was the Senior Medical Advisor for Task Force TWO, working with Special Operations Forces among NATO-aligned partners throughout the Balkan and Baltic states.
From 2022 to 2024, CDR Sterns served as the Officer in Charge of the “Green District” clinics. His team of 350 staff supported 17,000 Marine Recruits per annum at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, CA, and further supported the deployment readiness of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, CA, home of the 3rd Marine Air Wing and 42 tri-service squadrons, their families, and all other beneficiaries. During his leadership, the Defense Health Agency approved $210 million dollars in new facility construction.
CDR Sterns is currently the Executive Officer of 1st Medical Battalion. Known as the "Cheaters of Death," the four companies and 14 surgical platoons of 950 Sailors and Marines provide support to the operational units of the I Marine Expeditionary Force.
CDR Sterns is a qualified Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer and a qualified Fleet Marine Force Warfare Officer. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as other unit and service awards.