James J. Paparello, MD

5.0

640 ratings Read Reviews

Northwestern Medical Group

Primary Specialty

Nephrology

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Practice Focus Areas

This medical professional has a particular interest or expertise in:

Acute Kidney Injury
Chronic Kidney Disease Management
Electrolyte Disorders
Glomerular Disease
Home hemodialysis
Home Peritoneal Dialysis
Hypertension
Vasculitis

Education

Medical Education:: MD, University of Connecticut School of Medicine - 1996
Residency:: University of North Carolina Hospitals - 1998
Fellowships:: University of North Carolina Hospitals - 2001

Board Certifications

American Board of Internal Medicine - Internal Medicine (Certified)
American Board of Internal Medicine/Nephrology - Nephrology (Certified)

Faculty Profile

Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine

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Practice Groups and Affiliations

Medical Group:: Northwestern Medical Group
Alignment Category:: Northwestern Medicine Physician Network
On Medical Staff At:: Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital

Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Ratings and Reviews

At Northwestern Medicine, our patient’s feedback is important to us. While different care providers have their own unique strengths, we strive to be as transparent as possible with our quality of care.

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Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

640 Ratings

Reviews from Patients

72 Reviews

Reviews from Patients

72 Reviews

February 25, 2026

5.0

I have been seeing Dr. Paparello ever since my transplant in 2005, and now he also sees my children. We love him. He is excellent and always ready to answer all our concerns. He is very thorough.

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February 13, 2026

5.0

Doctor was very thorough and spent adequate time with us to understand our concerns and medical background

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February 09, 2026

5.0

Well prepared for my appointment. Good communicator, explained the treatment plan well.

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February 09, 2026

5.0

Even though Dr. Paparello is the smartest guy in the room, he never makes you feel that way. That's crucial toward developing a useful relationship with st least this patient.

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February 04, 2026

5.0

Dr Paparello is fantastic

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January 30, 2026

5.0

Dr. Paparello has been my physician for a long time. He is really an outstanding physician and I have total confidence in the care I receive from him.

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January 29, 2026

5.0

Thorough, not hurried, willing to listen and cooperative. Informed

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January 14, 2026

5.0

Dr Paparello takes time, listens n cares

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January 08, 2026

5.0

Attentive, knowledgable and caring.

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January 02, 2026

5.0

Dr Paparello was extremely thorough in assessing my kidney condition and took an interest in my total long term health.

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December 19, 2025

5.0

New insights

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December 17, 2025

5.0

Super qualified

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December 12, 2025

5.0

He takes time to talk to me to discuss about my health. He shows genuine concern and answer any questions I have with expert opinion.

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December 10, 2025

5.0

Because he is greatest doctor!

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December 10, 2025

5.0

He's very knowledgeable and explains things in a way you can understand.

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December 04, 2025

5.0

Dr. Paparello is an excellent doctor.

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November 26, 2025

5.0

He is caring, knowledgeable and very responsive

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November 24, 2025

5.0

He's the best doctor.

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November 22, 2025

5.0

He is an angel sent. Thank you Dr. Paparello and God bless you and your family.

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November 21, 2025

5.0

Dr. Paparello is so prepared, knowledgeable, and personable at each visit. He is always looking out for my best interests and keeping my kidneys healthy and working.

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November 20, 2025

5.0

He was amazing

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November 18, 2025

5.0

Dr. Paparello is very knowledgeable and answers any and all questions you may have -

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November 17, 2025

5.0

He is a Legend!

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November 17, 2025

5.0

Amazing care. Amazing doctor.

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November 17, 2025

5.0

He is patient and very professional. Explains everything and checks with you to make sure that you understand.

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November 15, 2025

5.0

I care for my friend's health & want them to get the best care possible.

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November 12, 2025

5.0

Having a conversation with the brightest guy in any room while checking up on my medical condition makes huge sense. I get to learn how to care for myself just a bit better.

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November 11, 2025

5.0

Trust his expertise and friendly manner.

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November 06, 2025

5.0

He takes time to discuss everything thoroughly with me! He is easy to talk to.

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November 05, 2025

5.0

I have found Dr. Paparello to be very helpful. His demeanor is very pleasant and patient ,and very thorough.

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November 03, 2025

5.0

He takes time with me to explain and talk about my situation, very knowledgable!

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October 25, 2025

5.0

Competence. Interpersonal skills. Flexibility.

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October 20, 2025

5.0

He is just so wonderful in taking the time in explaining the subject without rushing you.

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October 15, 2025

5.0

He is exceptional Doctor, very sensitive to patient needs.

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October 12, 2025

5.0

Great Doctor!

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October 08, 2025

5.0

Very informative

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October 04, 2025

5.0

Dr. Paparello is very thorough, takes the time to understand all issues and follows up well.

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October 02, 2025

5.0

After having one kidney removed that was cancerous, and the remaining one with a lower GFR score and other issues, Dr. Paparello took his time going over my prognosis short and long term, possible treatment options, lifestyle and eating changes. He had reviewed my medical and surgical chart from other non-NW providers and really knew my situation and how to best handle it moving forward. Can't say enough good things about him.

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October 02, 2025

5.0

Dr. Paparello is an excellent physician - he is a very skilled professional who takes the time to explain a situation thoroughly and leaves no question unanswered. He enters all important information in the computer and prints out a copy for the patient to take home so they can review your instructions on what needs to be done to maintain your best health.

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September 17, 2025

5.0

He is simply the best, caring, knowledgeable and available to answer concerns.

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September 16, 2025

5.0

Patient and answers questions. Suggest options.

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September 13, 2025

5.0

Very thoughtful discussions Not in rush

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September 10, 2025

5.0

Thorough, understanding, knowledgeable doctor.

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September 09, 2025

5.0

Dr. Paparello is very knowledgeable.

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September 06, 2025

5.0

Very professional, eficient, looks very knowledgeable & attentive to the patient

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September 04, 2025

5.0

A very caring, sympathetic, very thorough MD.

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September 04, 2025

5.0

Excellent patient care

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August 31, 2025

5.0

Very knowledgeable. Good communicator.

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August 23, 2025

5.0

He's very knowledgeable and he takes his time with you.

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August 22, 2025

5.0

Dr Paparello is the best. Always takes the time to explain everything so you understand and listens to your concerns

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August 17, 2025

5.0

He is compassionate, caring, diligent, excellent and has wonderful and reassuring bedside manner. He takes time to listen to my concerns regarding my disease condition, makes appropriate actions on my treatment plans , explains well and gave incites on my treatment options and takes time to listen well on my concerns regarding my ailments.

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August 15, 2025

5.0

our meeting worked ok but he was over 3hours late for tele conference

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July 31, 2025

5.0

he represents the best of NW physicians smart, caring , patient, humble, sense of humor -- a pleasure to work with

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July 28, 2025

5.0

He is the ultimate physician

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July 26, 2025

5.0

Dr. Paparello has been my doctor for at least 13 years. He knows my history and he cares about me and my health issues. I trust his judgment and advice.

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July 25, 2025

5.0

Amazing

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July 19, 2025

5.0

Dr.Paparello is a wonderful doctor. He takes his time with you and answers all your questions.

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July 16, 2025

5.0

Very empathetic and caring.

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June 22, 2025

5.0

Because he was nice to me

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June 18, 2025

5.0

Dr. Paparello is extremely knowledgable and up-to-date in his information. Beyond that, he is very personable; he listens, asks if I have questions, and hands me a cogent summary of the visit and instructions.

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June 18, 2025

5.0

Dr. Paparello is great! He is very thorough and caring.

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June 14, 2025

5.0

informed doctor

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June 12, 2025

5.0

He is so understanding and knowledgeable.

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June 06, 2025

5.0

He is smart

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May 27, 2025

5.0

took time with me and explained things

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May 27, 2025

5.0

Dr. Paparello is a very knowledgeable doctor.

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May 22, 2025

5.0

Great Dr with a lot of knowledge and experience. Treats his patients with care

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May 14, 2025

5.0

Exceptional doctor.

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May 12, 2025

5.0

Great physician eased all my concerns

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May 05, 2025

5.0

He is the leader of my treatment team. My comments above reflect his approach to patient care. He got me involved in a blood pressure monitoring program. His encouragement with emails showing he was engaged in my care encouraged me to reduce my BP to historically low levels.

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May 04, 2025

5.0

Dr Paparello is the most caring and knowledgeable Dr. I have been seeing him for many years.

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May 03, 2025

5.0

Informative and caring

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Disclosures

External Professional Relationships

Pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies frequently collaborate with basic scientists and physicians within an academic medical center to help advance science and improve patient care. These relationships are important in achieving scientific breakthroughs and in establishing the effectiveness and safety of promising new therapies. In order to assure objectivity in clinical research and patient care, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Feinberg), Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have adopted integrity policies that require research and clinical faculty (in full-time, part-time, and unpaid/voluntary categories) to report compensated and uncompensated external industry relationships. Patients are encouraged to discuss these disclosures with their physician as well as to inquire as to how these relationships are overseen by Feinberg. To learn more about our Disclosure and Professional Integrity Policy, and the conflict of interest policies of our joint affiliate survey partners, please go to our Office for Regulatory Affairs Policies page.

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