Ligia N. Rioja, MD | Northwestern Medicine

Education

Medical Education:: MD, Rush University Medical College - 1993
Internship:: Prime Midwest GME Consortium - 1994
Residency:: Henry Ford Hospital/ Wayne State University - 1997
Fellowships:: Henry Ford Hospital/ Wayne State University - 1999

Languages Spoken

Spanish

Board Certifications

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology/Neurology - Neurology (Certified)

Practice Groups and Affiliations

Medical Group:: Northwestern Medical Group
Alignment Category:: Northwestern Medicine Physician Network

Ratings and Reviews

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Overall Rating

4.9

4.9

444 Ratings

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

February 26, 2026

5.0

Great empathy and knowledge of the subject.

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February 26, 2026

5.0

Very attentive with the patient.

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February 24, 2026

5.0

New patient appointment went very well. Doctor listened well, explained what was going on, and I felt both heard and cared for.

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February 24, 2026

5.0

Dr. Rioja is very knowledgeable and takes the time to listen to your concerns with empathy.

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February 21, 2026

5.0

Dr Rioja was very helpful and asked good questions and seems to have found the a/the cause of my gait issues and falls.

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February 19, 2026

4.0

She's good.

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February 17, 2026

5.0

She is such a fantastic doctor who cares about each and every one of her patients.

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February 17, 2026

5.0

Good bedside manner.

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February 12, 2026

5.0

So warm and knowledgeable! Explained everything to me and was super helpful

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February 09, 2026

5.0

First time meeting Dr Salas Rioja and she was very kind, compassionate and knowledgeable within her specialty. She discussed many options and then fully explained the plan that best fit with my health concerns and addressing them.

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February 02, 2026

5.0

Explained very well

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January 31, 2026

5.0

Friendly, very helpful, very informative.

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January 30, 2026

5.0

She explained to me my options and next steps to follow. She explained my possible outcome if tests should warrant them. She also appeared to have a good bed side manner which is an important factor to me.

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January 24, 2026

5.0

Listens to my concerns and does not rush through the conversation.

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January 23, 2026

5.0

Compassionate, listened to my issues and asked all the right questions. Responded holistically to my issues, and willing to explore causes rather than patch symptoms.

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January 22, 2026

5.0

Very knowledgeable & caring

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January 22, 2026

5.0

Doctor was friendly shared information with me explaining things I didn't understand. Give me great advice.

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January 21, 2026

5.0

She saved my husband's eye sight .

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January 15, 2026

5.0

Very competent

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January 14, 2026

5.0

Dr. Rioja seemed knowledgeable and explained things well to me. She answered the few questions I had and did an exam.

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January 13, 2026

5.0

She is very hopeful to get to the root cause of the issue.

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January 13, 2026

5.0

She is an amazing physician.

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January 12, 2026

5.0

She was very nice and gentle and knowledgeable.

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January 12, 2026

5.0

She is just wonderful,knowledgeable,patient and caring

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January 12, 2026

5.0

Dr Rioja was very helpful with our discussions and solving our problems. She spends a lot of time with you and takes your issues to heart. I would rate her a five on Stars. She took time to answer our questions and put us at ease with our issues.

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January 06, 2026

5.0

She was very informative and I liked the way that she engaged my daughter in the conversation and made sure she was talking to her and not me

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December 23, 2025

5.0

Dr Rioja is amazing. Her diagnosis of each of my headaches and treatment that she has recommended haven spot on! I had not been vertigo free for years to the point that I was considering the daily lightheadedness as a baseline. Until recently when Dr Rioja treated me for vestibular migraines! I feel amazing and it's all thanks to Dr Rioja!

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December 22, 2025

5.0

Dr. Rioja has been the best neurologist I have ever had. I have had migraines since I was a child as time went on I developed other headaches that other neurologist couldn't figure out. When I started seeing her she knew exactly what was going on. She takes the time to listen and is relatable. I would recommend her to anyone who needs a good doctor.

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December 17, 2025

5.0

Excellent doctor

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December 16, 2025

5.0

Dr. Rioja is a fabulous neurologist. She has great bedside manner, very knowledgeable and truly cares for you as a patient.

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December 15, 2025

5.0

Dr. Rioja is very patient and understanding to my brother's demographic.

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December 15, 2025

5.0

Dr. Rioja is the best doctor Northwestern has. She listens attentively and makes a plan that is helpful.

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December 02, 2025

5.0

Very thorough and helpful with suggestions for care.

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November 22, 2025

5.0

Very likely for the reasons above. Professional, concerned, thorough, and friendly.

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November 18, 2025

5.0

The doctor was gracious and took time to understand the situation, to rule out certain possibilities, to consider options, and answer questions. Good care.

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November 14, 2025

5.0

She is so personable! She is always on time. She is so positive and gave me such great feedback!

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November 13, 2025

5.0

Friendly, listened, and explained things in a way I could understand.

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November 12, 2025

5.0

Dr. Rioja was extremely friendly and comprehensive in terms of my exam. I found her to be patient and very willing to answer my questions.

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November 12, 2025

5.0

She is very thorough and informative.

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November 10, 2025

5.0

Very knowledgable and patient!

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November 04, 2025

5.0

She takes great care to be sure she understands my condition. She is most impressive and provides excellent input. I am very pleased to be here patient.

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November 02, 2025

5.0

Loved how she listened and explained things

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October 30, 2025

5.0

She is easy to talk to. Listens with care and gets to the point very intelligent and up to date with things. I highly recommend her!

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October 28, 2025

5.0

Dr. Rioja is kind and extremely knowledgeable, also explains everything very thoroughly.

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October 28, 2025

5.0

Doctor is very professional and empathetic.

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October 27, 2025

5.0

Dra Rioja care the patient like we are one of hers own. Very professional, Dra. Rioja answer all questions and concerns.

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October 27, 2025

5.0

Dr. Rioja, MD was: very thorough, did not rush through the examination, and, demonstrated a caring/professional attitude.

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October 27, 2025

5.0

She was compassionate, knowledagable, attentive and kind. Listened to all of my concerns, through evaluated and came up with an excellent plan of care.

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October 24, 2025

5.0

Very informative

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October 23, 2025

5.0

Extremely Professional, Knowledgeable, and Attentive Neurologist with Excellent bedside manner. Explains everything vey well, performed a thorough exam, and answered all my questions. I would highly recommend Dr.Rioja to anyone who needs a neurologist.

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October 16, 2025

5.0

I would highly recommend Dr Rioja She spends time to fully understand my issues completely and explains things.

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October 12, 2025

5.0

She listened and understood my concerns

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October 08, 2025

5.0

I truly appreciate Dr. Rioja's dedication and timely responses to all my questions and concerns through my chart.

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October 07, 2025

5.0

Very thorough!

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September 30, 2025

5.0

She was knowledgeable and gentle

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September 29, 2025

5.0

Very nice and professional.

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September 26, 2025

5.0

Explained everything, she was great

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September 24, 2025

4.0

She used data - images from my mri to detect spasms in my neck muscles and into my skull and throughly explained why Iwas experiencing symptoms

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September 24, 2025

5.0

She listened all of my histories of sickness and explained well until I understood.

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September 23, 2025

5.0

Very detailed explaining results

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September 18, 2025

5.0

I don't think that I have ever had a doctor so attentive and curious about my symptoms and what I was experiencing. She took time to understand what I was experiencing and then time to explain my diagnosis

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September 13, 2025

5.0

Excellent professional.

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September 13, 2025

5.0

Interested in my problem.

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September 11, 2025

5.0

Personality Knowledge

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September 09, 2025

5.0

Dr. Rioja was one of the best doctors I've ever seen of all my time at NW. it was obvious she looked over my issues before she came in the room and pointed out and explained previous tests that were part of my issue that I didn't realize. She was extremely knowledgeable and came up with a plan to figure out my issue going forward and solve the problem. Fantastic doctor.

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September 02, 2025

5.0

Dr. Rioja always find time to explain take time to listen and always find alternative. Excellent bedside manner.

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August 25, 2025

5.0

She's caring, knowledgeable and has the best interest of her patients in mind.

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August 25, 2025

5.0

Best neurologist I have seen...and I have seen MANY over my 40+ years of struggling with migraines.

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August 25, 2025

5.0

Kind, personable, and knowledgeable.

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August 19, 2025

5.0

Explained the steps that need to be taken Very likely to recommend her

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August 18, 2025

5.0

Very thorough

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August 17, 2025

5.0

Great doctor, does her best to help me, actually listens to what I have to say.

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August 12, 2025

5.0

She is very friendly understanding and listens. Dr Rioja takes time to explanin and answer questions during the visit.

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August 11, 2025

5.0

I could not ask for a better doctor for my problem. She is excellent in asking about every aspect of my problem to insure she understands it as well as possible. A patient could not ask for better.

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August 11, 2025

5.0

smart and compassionate

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August 08, 2025

5.0

Love her!! So helpful and caring!!

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August 07, 2025

5.0

Dr Rioja is the most thoughtful, knowledgeable, brilliant doctor in the diagnosis of my issues. I highly recommend Dr Ligia Rioja.

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August 05, 2025

5.0

Cares about the patients and professional!

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July 15, 2025

5.0

Excellent! The best neurologist ever!

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July 12, 2025

5.0

Dr.Rioja took whatever time was needed to explain things to me.

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July 08, 2025

5.0

She's a good doctor!!

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July 03, 2025

5.0

She offers options and hope for her patients

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June 27, 2025

5.0

Very knowledgeable and very friendly.

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June 27, 2025

5.0

Dr Rioja was great. She struck the right balance between professional and personal and listened very well. Then she came up with a fairly decisive diagnosis and then recommended the necessary testing for me.

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June 24, 2025

5.0

Was very professional and knowledgeable. A very nice person explained everything in detail.

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June 23, 2025

5.0

I will see Dr again. I felt comfortable with her

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June 23, 2025

5.0

Dr Rioja was extremely knowledgeable and helpful, and has a wonderful demeanor that put me at ease. She shed new light on what has been an almost lifelong condition, which I found impressive!

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June 20, 2025

5.0

Dr. Rioja she answered my questions.

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June 18, 2025

5.0

Compassionate and honest

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June 17, 2025

5.0

Very calm and thoughtful of my needs.

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June 15, 2025

5.0

So helpful and really took the time listen to all our concerns.

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June 11, 2025

5.0

She listens, asks good questions and explains symptoms and treatment very well. I love her smile

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June 03, 2025

5.0

Dr. Rioja is a great doctor. Kind demeanor and explains her thought process. I never feel rushed when I have an appointment with her.

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May 27, 2025

5.0

I feel comfortable either way Dr. Rioja

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May 26, 2025

5.0

Very personal physician. Great bedside manner! I feel very comfortable with her care & concern. I am so happy to be under her care!

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May 19, 2025

5.0

Genuine concern, listens, professionalism and expertise.

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May 16, 2025

5.0

She was well prepared for visit.

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May 14, 2025

5.0

Dr Rioja took the time to explain so much to me! I left my appointment feeling hopeful about my care plan. She is a very warm and caring person also.

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May 12, 2025

5.0

She is extremely knowledgeable and ensures you understand your conditions and treatment options.

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May 02, 2025

5.0

The nurse and Dr. Rioja were very sweet and listened to my concerns and were extremely knowledgeable of my condition. I felt very much at ease. Thank you.

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Disclosures

Ligia N. Rioja, 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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