Melissa Cortez,
DO
Languages Spoken: English
Melissa Cortez, DO is a neurologist who has specialized expertise in neurological diseases affecting the autonomic nervous system (Autonomic Neurology), as well as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). She is board certified in neurology and clinical neurophysiology (EMG, nerve conduction studies, evoked potentials, and autonomic testing). Dr. Cortez is the Director and Founder of the Autonomic Physiology Lab at the University of Utah and has integrated a research program into her clinical work, aiming at better understanding the underlying physiology of symptoms her patients experience. This knowledge is aimed at improving diagnostic strategies, improved selection of treatment options, and improving outcomes.
Clinical Locations
801-585-7575
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Neurology
-
Assistant Professor (Clinical) |
| Academic Divisions | Diagnostic and Clinical Neurology |
| Board Certification | American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Neurology) American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Sub: Clinical Neurophysiology) United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (Autonomic Disorders) |
Patient Rating
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
Likelihood of recommending care provider
4.3/ 5
Care provider's explanation of condition/problem
4.2/ 5
Care provider's effort to include me in decisions
4.2/ 5
Wait time at clinic
3.8/ 5
Care provider's concern for questions & worries
4.3/ 5
Patient Comments
Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survery and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
UofU Patient
January 21, 2020
IMAGING AND NEUROSCIENCES CENTER
Dr. Cortez is nothing if not thorough and very explanatory about the whole process. We are in the beginning stages and she explained that, but I feel so confident with her as my Dr.
UofU Patient
December 26, 2019
IMAGING AND NEUROSCIENCES CENTER
I always leave feeling more peaceful, because she is confident in her plan to treat me and I have to trust that she knows what she is doing and trust in the process, however slow it seems to be. I always leave feeling like there is still hope that I will beat this, because of her confidence.
UofU Patient
October 31, 2019
IMAGING AND NEUROSCIENCES CENTER
Dr. Cortez was well-informed, excellent at presenting new info to me, addressed all my questions, explained further testing she thought would be helpful, and spent an extraordinary amount of time with me so as to cover everything necessary in one appointment.
UofU Patient
October 29, 2019
IMAGING AND NEUROSCIENCES CENTER
good
UofU Patient
October 19, 2019
IMAGING AND NEUROSCIENCES CENTER
Dr. Cortez has been very good to work with. she takes time to listen and give suggestions
UofU Patient
September 17, 2019
IMAGING AND NEUROSCIENCES CENTER
Dr. Cortez spent a great deal of time actively listening to my concerns, writing them down, responding in an engaged manner, and explaining next steps in the diagnosis/treatment process.
UofU Patient
July 16, 2019
IMAGING AND NEUROSCIENCES CENTER
I got a lot of answers I have been looking for and she ordered tests so that I may be able to find out a treatment pathway that is right for me
UofU Patient
May 14, 2019
IMAGING AND NEUROSCIENCES CENTER
She was very thorough and I felt like she gave me her undivided attention and answered all of my questions. I did not feel rushed and I felt heard and validated. I only wish I would of thought up my additional questions prior to my visit, rather than later, as I can't ask them for 3 more months, when I see her next.
UofU Patient
September 04, 2018
IMAGING AND NEUROSCIENCES CENTER
The only thing I can recommend is better communication and call back when setting up the appointment.
UofU Patient
May 07, 2018
Dr. Cortez was AMAZING!! She deserves all the praise in the world for how she treats her patients.
UofU Patient
August 16, 2017
All of these I am answering regarding my time with Melissa Cortez- not the student. I would much rather just visit with Melissa Cortez the whole time then only get 5 minutes with her after an hour with an awkward student.
UofU Patient
March 20, 2017
Very impressed with Dr. Cortez. She was thorough and kind.
UofU Patient
February 27, 2017
Dr. Cortez is a wonderful provider. She listens to patients, and is compassionate and intelligent. There were a few statements she made in response to my questions that were vague and when I probed further, was basically told to seek information elsewhere, but with not guidance on who could help. I also told her the problems experienced with trying to communicate with her nurse, Suzy, on the MyChart application, and Dr. Cortez did not seem surprised; I am disappointed that the abrupt and unhelpful attitude of a nurse like this would be addressed from within and apologized for, rather than simply acknowledged as being a known issue.
UofU Patient
January 10, 2017
Very Helpful and pertinent discussion with the Doctor. She goes above and beyond to make sure patient needs are met.
UofU Patient
December 06, 2016
Dr. Cortez and fellow Laura Baldassari, MD are outstanding!
UofU Patient
December 05, 2016
Dr. Cortez is the best. if anyone is to figure me out it is Fr. Cortez. great staff.
UofU Patient
August 19, 2016
Dr. Cortez and her fellow, Dr. Ozodgru were wonderful. They were thoughtful, thorough, kind, and informative. I appreciated the time they took to answer my questions and allay my fears
UofU Patient
August 17, 2016
I have recommended Dr. Cortez to several people. I am so fortunate to have Dr. Cortez on my team of doctors. She is a quick study. She listens intently to what I have to say and she never makes me feel rushed. Dr. Cortez always makes me feel that I am the most important person in her day at that moment. She offers reasonable solutions to my issues and explains them in least to understand lay terms.
UofU Patient
August 02, 2016
Because it was a first visit, and more testing is needed before any diagnosis, some of the questions don't apply. But the care provider was very thorough and patient.
UofU Patient
August 02, 2016
Dr. Cortez and her student truly took the time to listen to me. They were both so kind and never made me feel like my feelings and concerns were insignificant.
UofU Patient
June 29, 2016
Ms. Cortez was very thorough and explained everything very well. She was very nice and addressed all my concerns. It was worth the wait to see her!
UofU Patient
March 23, 2016
Did not have enough time to ask questions, we talked about orthostatic hypotension and the heart, but I did not get to ask specific questions about the autonomic nerve damage to the digestive tract, which is my single biggest problem
UofU Patient
February 16, 2016
Dr. Cortez is smart, caring, and thorough. She inspires confidence.
UofU Patient
January 12, 2016
Dr. Cortez is by far the Best Neurologist that I have ever been to. She is the answer to many prayers. She has my trust, she cares, and she will not give up on me, like other Doctors have. I am truly thankful for her.
UofU Patient
January 07, 2016
The only thing I didn't like was having to wait in the lab while I could overhear doctors in the other room talking about me- there was something disconcerting about that. Other than that both doctors I dealt with (Dr. Cortez and Dr. Juster) were kind and caring and were able to explain things well.
UofU Patient
November 06, 2015
Dr. Cortez truly cares and does all she can to help me feel comfortable about the care and treatments I am getting.
UofU Patient
September 12, 2015
spent a very long time with a resident explaining everything my doctor already knew
UofU Patient
August 18, 2015
The only negative was that I felt that I wasn't given time to adequately explain my concerns. They seemed to do most of the talking and wanted to limit the discussion to only their perception of the current problem
UofU Patient
August 14, 2015
Dr. Cortez is an answer to our prayers. She truly cares about me as a person who has been suffering with Migraines and other related issues for a long time. She makes me feel that she will not give up until she finds out what is going on with me and gets me feeling well again.
UofU Patient
August 10, 2015
Providers were excellent, but the information provided about the procedure prior to the appt and ability to promptly get an appt, not so good.
UofU Patient
August 10, 2015
Dr. Cortez was very knowledgeable and explained things very well. I feel she will be able to help me with my issues and hopefully help me to resolve them. I was very pleased that she had options and suggestions that were more natural to promote healing rather than prescribing prescriptions to mask the issues.
UofU Patient
June 15, 2015
Fantastic Dr. I would recommend Dr. Cortez to anyone! She is great, she takes her time in explaining what is going on and what to expect. Very thorough.
UofU Patient
March 24, 2015
there are symptoms being ignored..
UofU Patient
February 25, 2015
This was an appointment that involved testing and I didn't ask as many questions as I should have about what was happening or what the results may or may not mean.
UofU Patient
February 24, 2015
Dr. Cortez is incredibly knowledgable and she shares that knowledge with her patients in a way that is easily understood. The Neurology Department at the U of U Hospital is extremely fortunate to have her on their staff. I have met with her a couple of times and I have never felt rushed. She asks lots of good questions to better understand her patients. I like that at the end of her meetings she summarizes the discussion and the plan of treatment.
Melissa Cortez, DO is a neurologist who has specialized expertise in neurological diseases affecting the autonomic nervous system (Autonomic Neurology), as well as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). She is board certified in neurology and clinical neurophysiology (EMG, nerve conduction studies, evoked potentials, and autonomic testing). Dr. Cortez is the Director and Founder of the Autonomic Physiology Lab at the University of Utah and has integrated a research program into her clinical work, aiming at better understanding the underlying physiology of symptoms her patients experience. This knowledge is aimed at improving diagnostic strategies, improved selection of treatment options, and improving outcomes.
Academic Locations
Imaging & Neurosciences Center
801-585-7575
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Neurology
-
Assistant Professor (Clinical) |
| Academic Divisions | Diagnostic and Clinical Neurology |
| Board Certification | American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Neurology) American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Sub: Clinical Neurophysiology) United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (Autonomic Disorders) |
Research Interests
- Autonomic Nervous System Diseases
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Autonomic Dysfunction
- Clinical Neurophysiology (EMG)
Education History
| Fellowship | Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic Clinical Neurophysiology, Electromyography/Autonomics Fellow |
| Fellowship | Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Fellow |
| Chief Resident | University of Utah School of Medicine Adult Neurology Chief Resident |
| Residency | University of Utah School of Medicine Adult Neurology Resident |
| Internship | University of Minnesota Preliminary Medicine Intern |
| Doctoral Training | Midwestern University/Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine Medicine Doctorate |
| Undergraduate | University of Wyoming Molecular Biology, Minor in Psychology B.S. |
| Undergraduate | Cornell College Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
Selected Publications - Journal Articles
Journal Article
- Cortez MM, Millsap L, Brennan KC, Campbell CL (2020). Craniofacial Autonomic Dysfunction in Migraine: Implications for Treatment and Prognosis. J Neuroophthalmol, 40(1), 67-73.
- Cortez MM, Theriot J, Rea NA, Gowen F, Brennan KC (2019). Low-frequency facial hemodynamic oscillations distinguish migraineurs from non-headache controls. Cephalalgia Reports, 2, 1-9.
- Cortez MM, Digre K, Uddin D, Hung M, Blitzer A, Bounsanga J, Voss MW, Katz BJ (2019). Validation of a photophobia symptom impact scale. Cephalalgia, 39(11), 1445-1454.
- Cortez MM, Rae N, Millsap L, McKean N, Brennan KC (2019). Pupil Cycle Time Distinguishes Migraineurs From Subjects Without Headache. Front Neurol, 10, 478.
- Hanson LL, Ahmed Z, Katz BJ, Warner JEA, Crum AV, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Baggaley S, Pippitt K, Cortez MM, Digre KB (2018). Patients With Migraine Have Substantial Reductions in Measures of Visual Quality of Life. Headache, 58(7), 1007-1013.
- Rea NA, Rosenberg CL, Cortez MM (2017). Quantitative assessment of autonomic symptom burden in Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). J Neurol Sci, 377, 35-41.
- Cortez MM, Nagi Reddy SK, Goodman B, Carter JL, Wingerchuk DM (2015). Autonomic Symptom Burden is Associated with MS-Related Fatigue and Quality of Life. Mult Scler Relat Disord, 4(3), 258–263.
- Cortez MM, Wilder M, McFadden M, Majersik JM (2014). Quality of Life after Intra-arterial Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, 23(7), 1890-6.
- Cortez MM, Wold JJ, Renner DR (2014). International issues: expanding neurologic education to resource-poor countries. Lessons from Moi Teaching Hospital. Neurology, 82(3), e18-20.
- Cortez M, Singleton JR, Smith AG (2014). Glucose intolerance, metabolic syndrome, and neuropathy. Handb Clin Neurol, 126, 109-22.
Book Chapter
- Cortez MM, Singleton JR, Smith AG (2014). Glucose intolerance, metabolic syndrome, and neuropathy. In D.W. Zochodne and R.A. Malik (Eds.), Handbook of Clinical Neurology: Diabetes and the Nervous System (3rd, 126, pp. 109-22). Toronto: Elsevier Publishing.
Case Report
Letter
Abstract
- Cortez M, Rea N, Vongvaivanich K, Hunter K, Theriot J, Brennan KC (May 2015). Post-traumatic headache can be physiologically discriminated from migraine with aura [Abstract]. Cephalalgia, 35(6), suppl pg 116.
Video/Film/CD/Web/Podcast
- Cortez M, Holiday V, Greenlee J (2010-2014). Article recommendations and reviews, Neuro-Oncology/Immunology Section Associate Faculty Member [Web]. Available: F1000.com.
Global Impact
Selected Provider Publications
Journal Article
Cortez MM, Wold JJ, Renner DR (2014). International issues: expanding neurologic education to resource-poor countries. Lessons from Moi Teaching Hospital. Neurology, 82(3), e18-20.
Global Impact: Africa.