Leslie K Rydberg

Leslie K Rydberg, MD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. She serves as the Monika and Henry Betts Medical Student Education Chair and Associate Residency Program Director, with clinical practice based at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Education:

• MD from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (2005)
• Residency at Northwestern University, McGaw Medical Center (Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) (2009)
• Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Dr. Rydberg specializes in General Rehabilitation (cancer, medically complex, post-transplant, and cardiac rehabilitation) and Neuro Rehabilitation (nontraumatic spinal cord injury, neuromuscular disorders, multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis, Guillain Barre syndrome, peripheral neuropathy). Her expertise includes electrodiagnostics and nerve problems, with deep commitment to Medical Education innovation. She directs medical student clerkships where students learn functional patient-centered rehabilitation approaches.

Her 2025 publications reveal dual research thrusts: advancing PM&R medical education through mastery learning frameworks and resident teaching perspectives, alongside developing multidisciplinary Long COVID rehabilitation protocols. This work bridges clinical practice with pedagogical innovation, emphasizing ableism-aware curricula and competency-based training.

Scientific Awards:

• Mentor of the Year, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabililtation (2024)
• John X. Thomas, Jr. Best Teachers of Feinberg Award (2018)
• Feinberg Academcy of Medical Educators (2017)
• Teacher of the Year Award, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabililtation (2017)

As Medical Student Education Chair and Associate Residency Program Director, Dr. Rydberg shapes Feinberg's educational strategy while mentoring trainees. Her national leadership includes chairing the Association of Academic Physiatrists' Medical Student Educators Council and Education Committee, driving curriculum standardization across PM&R programs. She actively participates in Medical Education Day workshops advancing teaching excellence.

Based at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab's 19th Floor, she collaborates with multidisciplinary teams treating complex rehabilitation cases. Her work integrates clinical care, education leadership, and guideline development for conditions like Long COVID, reflecting the AbilityLab's mission to transform rehabilitation through research and innovation.