Rizwan S. Akhtar, MD, PhD

5.0

358 ratings Read Reviews

Northwestern Medical Group

Primary Specialty

Movement Disorders

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Practice Focus Areas

Education

Medical Education:: MD, PhD, University of Alabama School of Medicine - 2007
Internship:: University of Alabama Medical Center - 2008
Residency:: University of Pennsylvania Health System - 2011
Fellowships:: University of Pennsylvania Health System - 2013

Board Certifications

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Neurology (Certified)

Faculty Profile

Assistant 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:: 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

358 Ratings

Reviews from Patients

76 Reviews

Reviews from Patients

76 Reviews

August 30, 2023

5.0

He was very kind and took time to explain everything.

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August 29, 2023

5.0

His demeanor is of a physician that should be a physician

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August 11, 2023

5.0

He provides comprehensive and clear analyses

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August 04, 2023

5.0

Great

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August 03, 2023

5.0

Dr. Akhtar was detailed, technically thorough and spent the time with me. He demonstrated concern and interest in my well being.

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July 28, 2023

5.0

Dr. Akhtar took his time to answer all questions. I didn't feel rushed and am cofident with the proposed treatment plan.

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July 21, 2023

5.0

The doctor and his postdoctoral colleague gave me undivided attention, answered all my questions, and provided a followup appointment.

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July 14, 2023

5.0

Complete explanation for prognosis and recommendations respectful of my medical background.

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July 12, 2023

5.0

Clear, professional, friendly, helpful

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July 07, 2023

5.0

Kind. Listens. Cares smart Treats whole person and addresses Caregiver concerns

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July 07, 2023

5.0

Dr Akhtar asked questions, listened and answered my questions. He was very gentle with the injections. Heâ€™s caring and made a very positive impression. Thank you!

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July 07, 2023

5.0

He is thorough and explains everything to you so you understand

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July 06, 2023

5.0

He listens to you and he really knows his stuff

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July 06, 2023

5.0

Knowledgeable and so kind

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July 06, 2023

5.0

He spent quite a bit of time with me and explained everything thoroughly.

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June 30, 2023

5.0

Prepared, did not rush, a true expert.

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June 21, 2023

5.0

He was a very nice doctor. Help me understand what might be wrong with me. Listen to my concerns without feeling rush to leave to room.

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June 21, 2023

5.0

He is very patient and answered all my questions. And he knows what he's doing.

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June 17, 2023

5.0

Heâ€™s wonderful! He exuded compassion, understanding, a listening ear, humor, kindness, knowledge of Parkinsonâ€™s Diseaseâ€”and TIME with us!

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June 15, 2023

5.0

Very courteous, prepared, thorough, and insightful.

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June 13, 2023

5.0

Very kind compassionate expert in his field.

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June 03, 2023

5.0

Very thorough and listens

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June 02, 2023

5.0

Doc has a great personality and very engaging. He takes time to attend to any questions I may have. He knows his stuff and clearly enjoys and takes pride in his profession in Neurology.

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June 02, 2023

5.0

Great listener. Thorough. Personable. Wonderful bedside manner.

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May 30, 2023

5.0

Very knowledgeable and thorough

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May 24, 2023

5.0

could not have had a better experience.

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May 21, 2023

5.0

Dr Akhtar is awesome. Iâ€™ve seen Neurologist from Mayo, MGH, Penn, UCLA and Dr Aktar is at the top of the list. He is knowledgeable, respectful, excellent at explaining his diagnosis or reason for further studies. He is a great physician in the fullest sense of the word.

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May 19, 2023

5.0

He is extremely knowledgeable and very helpful with his detailed explanations about my condition and remedies.

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May 05, 2023

5.0

Very intuitive to me and what is going on with my symptoms and how to treat them. He gave me some options for what we could try and wanted to know how I felt. He has a very calming presence and truly listens.

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April 21, 2023

5.0

Consciousness and clear care

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April 21, 2023

5.0

Dr. Akhtar is a very dedicated and professional doctor. Really is committed to his patients.

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April 14, 2023

5.0

Dr. Akhtar is professional, thorough, and an excellent communicator.

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April 14, 2023

5.0

Very patient strong diagnostic skills

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April 03, 2023

5.0

Great communicator

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March 31, 2023

5.0

Excellent care

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March 31, 2023

5.0

Dr. Akhtar was very kind and patient with me. He heard all my concerns and was thorough in testing my PD symptoms.

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March 18, 2023

5.0

Expert in his field hard job

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March 03, 2023

5.0

Dr. Akhtar is a great doctor!! He really cares for patients.

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March 03, 2023

5.0

Thorough. Explained what he was doing and answer all my questions.

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February 21, 2023

5.0

Very knowledgeable and research based but simultaneously warm and able to connect to the individual patient

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February 17, 2023

5.0

He is an excellent and caring doctor.

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February 17, 2023

5.0

Dr. Akhtar was very patient, explained everything very clearly, and was very knowledgeable.

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February 14, 2023

5.0

Dr. Akhtar's nature of questionnaire appeared highly analytical, thorough spanning my conscious days of my life. I believed a comprehensive care plan was established! His extremely high and sophisticated bed side mannerism added to my pleasure to meet this doctor!

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February 06, 2023

5.0

Dr. Akhtar was very thorough in his evaluation. He listened very well and made me feel as if I was his only patient giving me his full attention answering all the questions I had without time constraints. Overall, he could not have provided a better or more comfortable experience while thoroughly explaining my diagnosis and expectations for moving forward.

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January 27, 2023

5.0

See above. Felt very comfortable and secure in his care

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January 17, 2023

5.0

He is great at what he does. He makes you feel comfortable and confident in the treatment you are receiving. He follows through with what he says heâ€™s going to do. That is a big win for me. Iâ€™ve had so many doctors write me off as a unique case and pretty much leave me to deal with my symptoms because they canâ€™t figure out a definitive diagnosis. I actually have a lot of my life back because of him. I still struggle but he helps manage my day to day issues. I have been through so many neurologists that gave up trying to help me or treated me like I was ignorant. Iâ€™m no doctor but do work in the medical laboratory profession and have some insight on things. He has been willing to help me on my journey and tests me with kindness and respect. I truly appreciate that.

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January 13, 2023

5.0

Very approachable. Answers all questions clearly. Very professional

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December 21, 2022

5.0

Friendly professional spoke clearly

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December 07, 2022

5.0

Dr Akhtar is one of the best, if not the best, listeners it has ever been my pleasure to meet

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December 02, 2022

5.0

Dr. Akhtar is an excellent physician!! He cares deeply for his patients and makes sure they have a full understanding of their diagnosis.

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December 02, 2022

5.0

See above. Friendly.

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November 24, 2022

5.0

Conscientious and professional

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November 22, 2022

5.0

His knowledge of PD and engagement with medical research associated with PD.

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November 19, 2022

5.0

Compassionate

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November 19, 2022

5.0

Patient, thorough, understanding

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November 09, 2022

5.0

He took time to answer questions and to explain his recommendations.

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October 26, 2022

5.0

Dr Akhtar was very patient and detailed and explained things in understandable language. I left with the feeling that I was in the best hands possible

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October 26, 2022

5.0

Very thoughtful and prepared for the visit. Clearly reviewed my case before visit and researched and spoke with other caregivers beforehand. Really impressive physician.

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October 21, 2022

5.0

He listens ask the right question and explains very well

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October 11, 2022

5.0

He is thorough and kind

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October 07, 2022

5.0

He takes the time to listen and explain everything

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October 04, 2022

5.0

He takes the Time to listen to you.

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October 01, 2022

5.0

The Dr. was knowledgibe and was a good listener.

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September 30, 2022

5.0

Takes his time to explain things in a way you understand

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September 28, 2022

5.0

Dr. Akhtar is knowledgeable, respectful, focused and confidence-inspiring. He is definitely one of the best doctors I've ever consulted. I left our visit with a clear map for follow-up and the feeling that I have resources at NM that will support me in the years ahead. This may sound odd, but Dr. Akhtar somehow transmuted my fear of Parkinson's into curiosity. I have more compassion for myself and others with this disease.

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September 23, 2022

5.0

I love Dr. Akhtar!! Heâ€™s a great physician who cares deeply for his patients. Heâ€™s very knowledgeable and is very detailed in his explanation of his patients care.

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September 21, 2022

5.0

Dr. Rizwan Akhtar seemed extremely knowledgeable, gifted, compassionate, & caring Neurologist! Excellent and supportive doctor as well as staff! He Took plenty of time to fully explaine everything and ordered tests necessary! NW Hospital No.1, as rated by me!

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September 21, 2022

5.0

He speaks plainly, listens carefully, and offers clear options. He treats the whole patient, not just the symptoms.

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September 16, 2022

5.0

He is thorough and he is also an empathetic person

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September 09, 2022

5.0

Dr. Akhtar took the time to answer all my questions I had and provided me knowledge in regards of my situation. He truly cares about his patients and will go the extra step to make sure the patient is taken care of.

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September 09, 2022

5.0

Dr Akhtar is sn excellent physician; knowledgeable, patient, and so warm and kind. Weâ€™re so glad our Mom is in his care.

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September 07, 2022

5.0

Dr Akhtar is a great doctor. He communicates in such a way that is easily understood. He listens to concerns and issues, asks questions and conveys understanding of what a patient is going through.

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September 02, 2022

5.0

Awesome, great listener, thoughtful, caring and interested. One of the finest physicians Iâ€™ve met.

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September 02, 2022

5.0

He is very thorough

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September 02, 2022

5.0

Dr. Akhtar is a very good doctor and is willing to go the extra mile for you.

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September 01, 2022

5.0

Did not hesitate to take time to explain

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Disclosures

Industry Relationships

Consulting / Related Activities

Faculty member engaged in activities such as speaking, advising, consulting, or providing educational programs for the following companies or other entities

Vanqua Bio

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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