Rizwan S. Akhtar, MD, PhD
Primary Specialty
Movement Disorders
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Based on January 2024 plan details.
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Practice Focus Areas
- Ataxia
- Corticobasal Syndrome (Degeneration)
- Dystonia
- Essential Tremor
- Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)
- Parkinson's Disease
- Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)
- Torticollis
Education
- Medical Education:
-
MD, PhD, University of Alabama School of Medicine - 2007
- Internship:
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University of Alabama Medical Center - 2008
- Residency:
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University of Pennsylvania Health System - 2011
- Fellowships:
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University of Pennsylvania Health System - 2013
Board Certifications
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Neurology (Certified)
Faculty Profile
Assistant Professor, Feinberg School of MedicinePractice Groups and Affiliations
- Medical Group:
- Northwestern Medical Group
- Alignment Category:
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Northwestern Medicine Physician Network
- On Medical Staff At:
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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.
Read Ratings FAQsOverall Rating
385 Ratings
Reviews from Patients
Reviews from Patients
April 19, 2024
5.0 star star star star starIf there is the score higher than 10, he deserves it His bedside manner and experience and intelligence are exceptional. Questions we ask he is able to give us competent answers or will tell us he will look into it and give us more information. He always follows up promptly and you just feel comfortable with him
March 21, 2024
5.0 star star star star starVery thorough and took time to get to know my history and symptoms. Ease of explanations and discussion of options for treatment. Good “bedside manner.†I was concerned about losing my neurologist but Dr. Akhtar definitely put me at ease.
January 13, 2024
5.0 star star star star starDr Akhtar is an awesome doctor that is a given. Coupled with his skillets in neurology, are his unique ability to listen and correspondingly develops an action plan. I hadn't seen Dr Akhtar in over a year, and he still treated me as a patient who has been following up with him on a regular basis. He is one of the most well rounded and knowledgeable neurologists that I have had the pleasure of meeting. Strong character and not an ounce of arrogance places Dr Akhtar in a league of his own.
December 14, 2023
5.0 star star star star starPlease see the comment above. My initial diagnosis was a 5 minute workup from a local neurologist. I was told the news and shoved out the door. My care team at NW has been thorough and compassionate.
November 01, 2023
5.0 star star star star starThis is my first visit with Dr. Akhtar. He spent an inordinate amount of time with me. He was so knowledgeable, so bright and so kind I look forward to having a long history with him as his patient with Parkinson’s previous to this I was in San Francisco at UCSF, which was also impressive, but Dr Akhtar changes the whole bar
October 06, 2023
5.0 star star star star starWe love Dr Akhtar. He takes the time to talk to the patient and family members. Hes asks a lot of questions and he is a good listener. He is just generally a nice person to be around. We always feel better after meeting with him.
October 05, 2023
5.0 star star star star starDr. Akhtar has one of the most caring way of explaining our situation to us. His “bedside mannor†is amazing, make us fully understand how his team determined our diagnosis. Just an amazing person.
October 05, 2023
5.0 star star star star starThe doctor carefully reviewed the results of the exams, asked about the medications I was prescribed, examined me physically, explained how to better take care of my mental health, and guided me on the procedure to follow to obtain physical therapy. He is careful and made sure I understood what he was telling me.
October 05, 2023
5.0 star star star star starDr. Akhtar reminds me of my father, someone who wants to help find and explain things in a way that makes a lot of sense. Also helps that Dr. Akhtar is so attentive and observant and his smile and enthusiasm help, too.
October 03, 2023
5.0 star star star star starWe believe we are getting top notch care for Parkinsonism condition. We believe that he is bright, on top of what’s what with Parkinson’s disease and patient care. He engages in such a kind, regarding and respectful manner, both to patient and care partner.
September 29, 2023
5.0 star star star star starDr. Aktar took the time so explain everything slowly and made sure I understood all the information. He was very kind and answered all my questions. He showed me the results of my EMG and went over what the purpose of it was and what the results meant. All options of treatment were gone over throughly and gave me options and what steps to take now and from when I go back for another followup in four months.
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.