Elizabeth M. Retzer, MD | Northwestern Medicine

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Practice Focus Areas

This medical professional has a particular interest or expertise in:

Angioplasty and Stents
Cardiac Catheterization
Coronary Artery Disease
General Cardiology
Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
Valvular Heart Disease

Education

Medical Education:: MD, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine - 2008
Residency:: University of Chicago - 2011
Fellowships:: University of Chicago - 2014

University of Chicago - 2015

Board Certifications

American Board of Internal Medicine/Cardiovascular Disease - Cardiovascular Disease (Certified)
American Board of Internal Medicine/Interventional Cardiology - Interventional Cardiology (Certified)

Practice Groups and Affiliations

Medical Group:: Northwestern Medical Group
Alignment Category:: Northwestern Medicine Physician Network
On Medical Staff At:: Northwestern McHenry Huntley & Woodstock Hospitals

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

4.9

4.9

1902 Ratings

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

February 26, 2026

5.0

Excellent knowledgeable physician

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February 24, 2026

5.0

great informer

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February 24, 2026

5.0

Dr. Retzer is prompt, thorough, and caring. She is intelligent but also explains things so that the average person can understand. You can also tell that she reviewed all of the records I had on file, not just from my last visit. Additionally, she did schedule some tests but was cognizant of current issues in my health and pushed the test dates out so that these issues can resolve rather than get questionable results. She has a nice personality. She did not leave me sitting waiting in the exam room for an extended period.

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February 23, 2026

5.0

Excellent doctor.

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February 22, 2026

5.0

Dr. Retzer is obviously a very knowledgeable caring medical professional. She offered insight and provided calming assurances.

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February 20, 2026

5.0

Kind and knowledgeable physician

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February 19, 2026

5.0

Knowledgeable, personable and easy to relate to.

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February 19, 2026

5.0

Great communication skills and excellent professional. Very knowledgeable and leaves one at ease in her direction and follow through.

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February 17, 2026

5.0

Great Doctor!

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February 16, 2026

5.0

Dr. Retzer is the best there is. Hands down.

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February 12, 2026

5.0

Recommend her to my Mother !!!

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February 10, 2026

5.0

Competent, caring, very thorough in her explanations.

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February 10, 2026

5.0

She's very calming

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February 09, 2026

5.0

She is very thorough and listens to my concerns and answers all my questions. Never rushes.

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February 09, 2026

5.0

Dr. Retzer saved my life. Literally. I went into cardiac arrest twice in the ER and I live to tell the tale. Need I say any more?

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February 06, 2026

5.0

A lot of questions were asked and answered

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February 03, 2026

5.0

She is Awesome!

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February 03, 2026

5.0

She's the best!

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February 03, 2026

5.0

I trust her expertise. She is thorough and communicates clearly. I trust her care plan.

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January 30, 2026

5.0

She is very kind, attentive and listens. She helps reduce the amount of fear around a very scary procedure and does so with kindness and humor.

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January 29, 2026

5.0

She calmed my nerves and was clear and patient when answering questions.

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January 29, 2026

5.0

Very personable I felt at ease discussing my medical conditions. The doctor is very knowledgeable and knows her expertise.

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January 27, 2026

5.0

She's absolutely the best at answering your questions and explaining what you need and why you need it. Most docs don't

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January 27, 2026

5.0

Dr Retzer is a great surgeon and always looks out for what is best for her patients

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January 23, 2026

5.0

The doctor is an excellent professional, and if there were a higher rating, I would give it to her. She is also a doctor who cares deeply about her patients.

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January 21, 2026

5.0

Answers questions and knows what she is doing

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January 20, 2026

5.0

She is focused on her patient's well-being.

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January 20, 2026

5.0

She always listens to me and it is obvious that she cares about her patients! Nikki, Dr. Retzer's nurse, Nikki, is also amazing and kind!

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January 20, 2026

5.0

She is excellent,very informative.

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January 19, 2026

5.0

I like how she explains everything so I understand .

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January 19, 2026

5.0

She was able to zero in on tests needed to address my symptoms, and was open to changing medications if needed.

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January 17, 2026

5.0

I was very impressed with Dr Retzer's care.

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January 16, 2026

5.0

I liked her right away and felt like she really listened to me

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January 15, 2026

5.0

Receptive. Responsive. Collaborative

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January 15, 2026

5.0

Dr Retzer is a superstar

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January 15, 2026

5.0

I owe my life to her. She's also very friendly and I always get treated like an old friend. She's very professional and always appears very confident, knowledgeable and progressive in her field.

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January 13, 2026

5.0

Made me feel secure and safe with my cardiac issues. I know I am in good hands!! Thank you

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January 13, 2026

5.0

Dr. Retzer is a wonderful person who is my Cardiologist! From the 1st time that we met and through her being my ongoing Care Provider for my Heart.... I am grateful to be her patient.

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January 08, 2026

5.0

Dr Retzer is great for me. She knows me. Very smart.

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January 08, 2026

5.0

She cares about my health and well-being.

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January 06, 2026

5.0

She's amazing. She explained everything and answered all my questions.

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January 06, 2026

5.0

Very knowledgeable, always so patient with me. Takes time to answer my questions.

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December 27, 2025

5.0

Because she seems to be very thorough.

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December 22, 2025

5.0

She's easy to talk to and she listens to what you say. Gave me a suggestion to day and I will follow thru and get back to her

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December 18, 2025

5.0

She was very good with the info on what was needed for my health and things I need to take care of to make sure my heart was in good condition. I was very pleased with all the info and the set up for more test.

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December 16, 2025

5.0

First meeting, very impressive knowledgeable and action oriented!

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December 16, 2025

5.0

Listens.

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December 13, 2025

5.0

She listened, clarified test results and answered all my questions with patience. She made what could have been a stressful appointment very comfortable along with being realistic with the findings presented at this time.

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December 11, 2025

5.0

Again she listens to me

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December 10, 2025

5.0

Saved my life with sweet care. She's the best!

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December 09, 2025

5.0

She is very knowledgeable of my personal history, asks multiple relevant questions, engages me in high level conversations regarding my specific health issues and we jointly decide how best to proceed with my medical care.

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December 08, 2025

5.0

Caring and understanding

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December 08, 2025

5.0

Doctor is always pleasant and concerned.

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December 05, 2025

5.0

Great Dr.

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December 05, 2025

5.0

Dr. Retzer has made me feel very welcome from the first appointment I had with her. She cares about her patients and takes the time needed at a visit.

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December 02, 2025

5.0

She answered every question I had clearly and thoroughly. She was very personable and understanding.

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November 20, 2025

5.0

Dr. Retzer was very informative and thorough with her explanations of the procedure and repairs just in case. Her demeanor was very calming with a feeling of confidence that puts your mind at ease.

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November 17, 2025

5.0

She is an excellent cardiologist and listened to all my concerns

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November 17, 2025

5.0

Great Dr. Very personable

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November 17, 2025

5.0

Knowledgeable and kind physician.

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November 15, 2025

5.0

Knowledgeable and Friendly. Listens to patient ancient in a rush.

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November 15, 2025

5.0

Very professional

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November 13, 2025

5.0

Dr Retzer is an amazing doctor and professional who genuinely cares about patients. Great experience. I am so thankful I was fortunate to have her as my cardiologist.

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November 11, 2025

5.0

very good doctor

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November 09, 2025

5.0

Dr. Retzer is very professional and easy to talk to.

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November 08, 2025

5.0

Very professional and knowledgeable.

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November 08, 2025

5.0

She is the absolute best!

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November 06, 2025

5.0

She is very thorough and seems to care

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November 04, 2025

5.0

Patient, friendly explains what's needed

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November 03, 2025

5.0

She answers questions respecting the patient. She is very kind and really cares.

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October 30, 2025

5.0

As I said before she is the cat's meow great Cardiologist

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October 30, 2025

5.0

Dr. Retzer is very knowledgeable as well as answering all my questions. She asks questions that help with my condition. I feel so much better since I stared with her a few years ago. Hope she remains at Northwestern.

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October 29, 2025

5.0

Takes the time to understand my issues and concerns.

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October 28, 2025

5.0

Dr. Retzer is a good listener, very knowledgeable and able to answer all my questions.

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October 25, 2025

5.0

great doc

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October 23, 2025

5.0

Very Awesome Doctor so nice and very professional highly recommend Her

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October 21, 2025

5.0

Very caring and knowledgeable.

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October 20, 2025

5.0

I would trust my life with her because of all the great work she has done for me

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October 20, 2025

5.0

Because she listens as she gives me excellent care.

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October 19, 2025

5.0

She listens and answers your questions explains her concerns about some of your test results

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October 18, 2025

4.0

Spoke on lay person language

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October 17, 2025

5.0

Her professionalism is the best!!

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October 16, 2025

5.0

NONE BETTER

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October 15, 2025

5.0

She is one of the best heart doctors

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October 14, 2025

5.0

Dr Retzer is a skilled and caring doctor.

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October 13, 2025

5.0

Good patient report. Pleasant, understandable, and accommodating.

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October 13, 2025

5.0

Vary Timely and to the point!

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October 11, 2025

5.0

Very personable.

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October 11, 2025

5.0

felt she knew about me

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October 10, 2025

5.0

The best, explained everything in language I could understand

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October 09, 2025

5.0

Dr. Retzer new exactly what to do for me.

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October 09, 2025

5.0

The whole staff including the check-in ladies, the nurs es First rate.

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October 07, 2025

5.0

She is a very caring person and always helps the patient

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October 06, 2025

5.0

Thorough. Friendly. Nice to talk to. She really listens.

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October 04, 2025

5.0

Very educated and took time to explain all are concerns

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October 02, 2025

5.0

She answered all my questions. She offered an excellent explanation of my medical issue as well as my current medical condition. She explained the issues and what to expect as well as what to look out for. I left feeling greatly relieved and look forward to my next appointment!

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September 29, 2025

5.0

She communicated with me in plain English, absent any techno-babble mumbles.

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September 28, 2025

5.0

Just like her easy to talk and get answers in a way I can understand

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September 25, 2025

5.0

Dr Retzer went out of her way to make me feel good

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September 25, 2025

5.0

Very caring

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Disclosures

Elizabeth M. Retzer, MD reported no external professional relationships for calendar year 2024.

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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HealthBeat

A Garden Blooms Thanks to One Physician’s Kind Gesture

Celebrating the Connection Between Physicians and Their Patients

More HealthBeat Articles