Leslie Rydberg, MD

About Me

Leslie Rydberg, MD, is a general physiatrist with a primary clinical interest in electrodiagnostic medicine, medically complex rehabilitation and neurorehabilitation.

Additionally, Dr. Rydberg is the director of residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and the Regenstein Chair of Medical Education. She also serves as the musculoskeletal module co-director and disability curriculum lead at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. For her leadership, she has received multiple awards from Northwestern, including the John X. Thomas, Jr. Best Teachers of Feinberg Award (2024 and 2018) and Mentor of the Year Award (2023-2024).

Since 1954, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab has served as the clinical training home for Northwestern’s Department of PM&R — training at least 40 residents annually as they rotate through all inpatient units, outpatient clinics and consultative services at Northwestern. Today, it is the largest and most prestigious rehabilitation residency in the nation. 

Dr. Rydberg, herself, is a product of this program, having graduated in 2009. Upon completion, she joined Shirley Ryan AbilityLab as a general physiatrist. 

In addition to her Shirley Ryan AbilityLab roles, she is an associate professor in PM&R and Medical Education at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.