Allison Kessler, MD, MS

Dr. Allison Kessler, MD, MSc, is a board-certified physiatrist with dual certification in physical medicine & rehabilitation (PM&R) and spinal cord injury (SCI) medicine. She serves as section chief of the Renée Crown Center for Spinal Cord Innovation at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Dr. Kessler also holds academic appointments as associate professor in the department of PM&R at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; the associate director of the SCI Medicine Fellowship; and the director of the PM&R medical student clerkship.

In her leadership role at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Dr. Kessler oversees the delivery of high-quality, interdisciplinary care for individuals with traumatic and non-traumatic SCI. She guides the integration of the latest evidence-based practices and innovative care models, working closely with institutional researchers and external partners to translate scientific discoveries into practical, patient-centered interventions — and to advance Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s mission.

A nationally recognized educator and mentor, Dr. Kessler is frequently invited to speak on topics related to SCI care and advocacy for individuals and healthcare professionals with disabilities. She also has authored numerous papers, guidelines, book chapters and manuals. Her contributions to the field have been honored with numerous awards, including the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab PM&R Mentor of the Year Award (2025); AACPDM’s Corbett Ryan Pathways Pioneer Award (2023); the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Leadership Service Award (2023); the John X. Thomas, Jr. Best Teachers of Feinberg Award (2020); and the NCCS Alumni Award (2019). She also is the inaugural chair of the Women with Disabilities in Medicine Mentorship Group, which is part of the Docs with Disabilities initiative honored on Forbes’ inaugural Accessibility 100 list.

Dr. Kessler’s clinical interests include comprehensive, longitudinal care for individuals with traumatic and non-traumatic SCI and other neurological conditions across the lifespan. She has a particular focus on issues related to sexuality, pregnancy and parenting among individuals with physical disabilities. Dedicated to a holistic, patient-centered approach, Dr. Kessler is committed to treating the whole person and enhancing quality of life through individualized rehabilitation.

Dr. Kessler earned her bachelor’s degree in human evolutionary biology from Harvard University, her doctor of medicine from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and her master’s of science in Biomedicine, Bioscience and Society from the London School of Economics. She completed her residency in PM&R and fellowship in SCI medicine through the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University/Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (now Shirley Ryan AbilityLab).