
Alba Azola, MD
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Young Adult 18-25
- Adult 26-64
- Older Adult 65+
Languages
- Spanish
- English
In-Network Plans
View All Accepted Plans (12)Gender
FemaleJohns Hopkins Affiliations:
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About Alba Azola
Primary Academic Title
Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Johns Hopkins Physician
Background
Alba Azola, M.D., is a rehabilitation physician helping patients restore function and movement after an injury or illness. Her expertise includes neurorehabilitation and rehabilitation for swallowing disorders.
Dr. Azola completed her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Johns Hopkins Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, where in her final year she was awarded the Frank L. Coulson, Jr. Award for Clinical Excellence. Prior to the residency, she was a post-doctoral fellow at the Swallowing Neurophysiology Laboratory at Johns Hopkins.
Dr. Azola received her medical degree from the Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico, where she grew up. After the devastating hurricane Maria in 2017, she returned to her homeland to help with hurricane relief.
Find a Clinical Trial
View all trials by this principal investigator.
Recent News Articles and Media Coverage
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Can Vaccination Protect You From Long COVID? | Everyday Health (December 2021)
For patients with long COVID, chronic fatigue syndrome may offer a guiding star | NPR (November 2021)
In It For The Long Haul | Baltimore Magazine (November 2021)
EXPLAINER: What you should know about "long haul" COVID-19 | WUSA9 (June 2021)
COVID Long-haulers: What We Know About the Debilitating Symptoms that Last for Months | 7NewsDC (June 2021)
Additional Academic Titles
Joint Appointment in Pediatrics
Selected Publications
Azola, A., Greene, L. R., Taylor-Kamara, I., Macrae, P., Anderson, C., & Humbert, I. A. (2015). The relationship between submental surface electromyography and hyo-laryngeal kinematic measures of Mendelsohn Maneuver duration. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research 58 (6)1627-1636
Azola, A., Mulheren, R., Mckeon, G., Lloyd, T., Christopher-Stine, L., Palmer, J., & Chung, T. H. (2019). Dysphagia in myositis: A study of the structural and physiologic changes resulting in disordered swallowing. American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation.
Azola, A., Sunday, K. L., & Humbert, I. A. (2016). Kinematic Visual Biofeedback Improves Accuracy of Learning a Swallowing Maneuver and Accuracy of Clinician Cues During Training. Dysphagia 32 (1), 115-122
Kim, S. Y., Kumble, S., Patel, B., Pruski, A. D., Azola, A., Tatini, A. L., & González-Fernández, M. (2020). Managing the Rehabilitation Wave: Rehabilitation Services for COVID-19 Survivors. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 101(12), 2243-2249
Mulheren, R. W., Azola, A., Kwiatkowski, S., Karagiorgos, E., Humbert, I., Palmer, J. B., & González-Fernández, M. (2018). Swallowing changes in community-dwelling older adults. Dysphagia, 33(6), 848-856
Honors
- 1st Place, Post-Doctoral Fellows Association Retreat Poster Competition 2016
- Junior Fellowship recipient, Global Conference on Myositis, 2/1/19
- Hopkins Healer Award PGY2, Johns Hopkins Medicine, 6/1/18
- Springer Publishing Junior Investigator Scholarship, Dysphagia Research Society, 3/1/15
- Nancy Conrad Volunteer Award, Catholic Charities, 4/1/13
Memberships
- American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Dysphagia Research Society
Locations
- Rubenstein Child Health Building
- 200 North Wolfe Street, Rubenstein BLDG Lower Level, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Get Directions
- phone: 443-997-5437
- fax: 410-614-1178
Expertise
Education
- Residency: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2020
- Residency: University of Maryland Medical Center, Otolaryngology, 2012
- Medical Education: Ponce Health Sciences University, Medicine, MD, 2008
Board Certifications
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2022
Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)
Ratings & Reviews
5 out of 5
83 ratings, 41 reviewsThe Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/17/2026
She is very thoughtful and listens.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/16/2026
Dr. A is an expert in her field, and sn asset to Johns Hopkins. She is on top of cutting edge research and is always searching for ways to improve the quality of life for her patients.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/13/2026
This provider is excellent and I would be much worse off if I didn't have access to her and her services
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/13/2026
Dr. Azola is very knowledgeable and sincere. It is quite evident that she cares about her patients and about what she does. I'm fortunate and feel very blessed to have her apart of my care team.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/12/2026
She was excellent. Spent lots of time with me and listened to my issues.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/4/2026
Dr. Azola is one of one! She is an amazing provider who is caring and takes time to understand the complexities of my health! I couldn't ask for a more knowledgeable and caring provider.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/9/2026
Dr Azola is one of our favorite doctors. She shows genuine interest in taking the best possible care of our son. She is very understanding of our specific needs while showing an incredible knowledge of my son's condition. She is a rare kind of doctor who clearly wants to help and who understands how difficult this has been for my son and my family.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/3/2026
Dr. Azola is a wonderful doctor. She is so kind and caring. I'm so glad she is my doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/2/2026
Dr. Azola is top notch. She listens and explains and is thorough and kind. She truly saved my life when I was at my worst health wise. She helps you maintain hope even while dealing with a disease that can take years or even decades to get under control.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/30/2026
Dr.Azola is the BEST! I amSo grateful to be under her care. As a physician myself, I can understand how busy she is, but her visits are NEVER rushed. She is understanding, very smart and knowledgeable and an amazing physician overall. My visits with her give me hope that I will be able to lead a good life despite my illness. SHE.IS. THE.BEST.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/28/2026
Dr. Alba Azola is an amazing physician. She actively listens to you and comes up with a treatment plan that fits your needs.She takes her time with you, during your appointment. My appointments with her are never rushed.Shows you compassion and empathy at every visit.There should be more physicians like her.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/26/2026
Dr Azola is always attentive, prepared, thorough and caring. Her vast knowledge, attention to detail and ability to consider all aspects of one's health make her an outstanding practitioner.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/16/2026
Dr. Azola is the best, she really cares about her patients.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/14/2026
Dr Azola is a rock star
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/2/2026
Dr. Azola is very concerned about my health and well being, is very knowledgeable, and works very hard to assist her patients. She is the best!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/16/2025
Dr. Azola is an amazing human being who happens to be an amazing doctor as well. She has been such a wonderful person to tackle my condition with. So thankful for her dedication to her patients.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/16/2025
Dr Azola is very caring and clearly works very hard for her patients. She listens carefully, shows empathy, Is up on new research and Is willing to try to problem solve on health Issues that don't have clear cut answers.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/15/2025
So thankful to have Dr Azola as my provider. She has helped me with issues I've had for years that others did not know how to resolve. She is a treasure!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/9/2025
Dr Azola is the best!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/5/2025
Excellent knowledge of her subject area, listened well and the suggestions were apprise to the nature of the health issues. She was also. Set patient and very empathetic which I really appreciated it.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/4/2025
This is a great clinic and Dr. Azola is a standout provider. I'm very fortunate to be able to see her.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/12/2025
Dr Azola listens, cares, looks at the whole picture, thinks ""outside the box"", reviews notes from ALL of my medical practitioners before each appointment, and responds quickly and completely to any inquiries. She is a wonderful doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/30/2025
Dr Azola is by the best provider I have ever had. She listens patiently, she is compassionate, she is a wealth of knowledge and she always talks with me to work through what the best plan of action is going forward. I never feel rushed and I always feel validated and supported. Dr Azola quite literally saved my life in 2021 and she continues to provide me hope and improve my quality of life each time I see her. I am forever grateful to JH and Dr Azola.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/24/2025
Dr. Azola is such a great physician! She was able to squeeze me in for this appointment and took such great care of me. Her and the entire chronic fatigue clinic are the best around. I'm so grateful they are my team taking care of me
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/9/2025
Dr Azola is a very kind, compassionate and knowledgeable Physician. She never rushes our appointments, actively engage and responds quickly to all concerns and questions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/8/2025
Dr A is an amazing doctor; she keeps up to date with the latest research, and is actively looking for ways to improve the lives of her patients. She is one of the few doctors where I felt listened to.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/1/2025
Dr. Azola and her team are amazing. They are kind, caring, knowledgeable and informative. Johns Hopkins is lucky to have a team of folks like this supporting their patients and that team has a fantastic leader in Dr. Azola.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/18/2025
Dr. Azola is an amazing physician. I wish there were more physicians like her. Dr. Azola is always there for me and is willing to assist me with my complex medical issues. She has empathy and compassion. Never feel like my appointment Is rushed.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/19/2025
Dr. Azola is the most amazing physician I have met. She spent more than the allotted time with me, provided excellent care in a compassionate and respectful manner.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/14/2025
Dr Azola has helped me tremendously. I'm so grateful for her medical knowledge and compassion.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/6/2025
Dr. Azola is by far one of the most compassionate providers I have ever had. She is invested in my life and trying to help me navigate through my poor health. She listens and works with me to make strategic decisions about the plan of care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/25/2025
She cares and wants to find the best possible options.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/17/2025
Thank you for the thorough and compassionate care!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/12/2025
Dr azola is the best Dr.. I feel so lucky to have her supporting me through this medical journey. She displays the best qualities you would want in a medical professional- in addition to being curious.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/29/2025
Dr Azola & [staff] provided the best care we have received after 3 years of chronic illness; they listened, cared, understood & validated; their expertise & care exceeded our expectations
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/28/2025
Attentive, caring, engaged, knowledgeable, kind, understanding, interactive, interested in my thoughts, feelings & ongoing s&s.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/27/2025
Really wonderful experience with a thoughtful, helpful and knowledgeable doctor who was clearly invested in the well being of my child.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/21/2025
Dr. Azola was very knowledgeable and made some major changes in my care. The changes were significant life changes and she took reiterate how the changes were going to improve my life. She was very empathetic and unbelievably kind. It is very difficult when you have worked in this field to go from a researcher to a patient and she understood.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/7/2025
Best provider and provides the best care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/7/2025
Amazing
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/25/2025
Dr Azola is the best. Very deliberate and helpful