Program Director's Message

Welcome to the residency training program in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. The goal of our program is to educate our residents by providing them with access to a wide variety of complex rehabilitation patients under the guidance of national subspecialty experts. We offer a four year categorical program and a three year advanced program in the training of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Our program is based at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, the #1 rehabilitation hospital rated by US News and World Report, and is sponsored by Northwestern University. 

A unique feature of our program is our commitment to preparing our residents to become future leaders in our field by providing opportunities to focus their training in areas of individual interests. Our residents have six months of elective and selective time to give our residents time to explore their career interests and enhance their learning opportunities.  PM&R is an extremely diverse field. Our residents often have very varying interests within the field and we have the depth of clinical experts in each area of rehabilitation to cultivate ALL of these interests. We help residents shape different paths of learning within our own department and throughout Northwestern.  

Another way in which our program fosters individual growth is through our optional specialty tracks for our residents. We offer a 5-year research track for individuals interested in a career predominantly rooted in clinical research. We have a Medical Education Track for those residents who envision a career in academic medicine and may aspire to become a residency or fellowship program director. We created a Leadership Track for those who want additional training to develop their leadership skills, as well as a Quality Improvement Track.  In addition to the PM&R program tracks, McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University offers Clinical Scholars Programs for residents from all departments. This includes programs in Global Health, Medical Education and Bioethics.  

One of the highlights of our program is our teaching faculty. We have over 50 faculty members within our department dedicated to teaching our residents. This does not include the numerous faculty members in other Northwestern departments that also provide education for our residents. Our faculty members are consistently rated highly year after year by our residents. We have robust career and research mentorship programs for our residents, who benefit from the guidance of our seasoned faculty. 

My passions within medical education include active learning and curriculum development.  We have many educational opportunities including simulation courses, an ultrasound course, an interventional spine course, a sport coverage workshop, a cadaver anatomy course, and an EMG bootcamp that integrate hands-on interactive learning techniques. This is in addition to our standard Core, Advanced, and MSK Foundations courses.  

The strength and success of our residency program is the result of the motivation and inquisitiveness of our residents in collaboration with the dedication and commitment of our faculty. We are all here to help shape the future leaders of our specialty and have some fun along the journey! 

Please take the time to explore our website that includes information about our clinical rotations, didactic curriculum, research opportunities, faculty, current residents and alumni. If you should have additional questions about our training program, please feel free to contact us. 

 

Sincerely, 

Leslie Rydberg, MD 

Residency Program Director, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation  
Musculoskeletal Module Co-Director 
Disability Curriculum Lead 
Associate Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Medical Education 
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine 

 

Dr. Leslie Rydberg is the Program Director of the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency Program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. A general physiatrist at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Dr. Rydberg brings deep clinical expertise in electrodiagnostic medicine, medically complex rehabilitation, and neurorehabilitation. She is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Medical Education. She has served as the Henry and Monika Betts Medical Student Education Chair, PM&R Clerkship Director, Musculoskeletal Module Co-Director and Disability Curriculum Lead at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She has served as the Chair of both the Medical Student Educators Council and the Education Committee of the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP). Her scholarly work has shaped the educational experience of countless students and residents, with a strong emphasis on mentorship, disability education, curriculum innovation and professional identity formation.