Melissa Cortez
Rating: 4.7 of 5
( out of 32 reviews )

Melissa Cortez, DO

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Primary Location

Imaging and Neurosciences Center

729 Arapeen Way
Salt Lake City , UT 84108
801-585-7575
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  • 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 to better understand the underlying physiology of symptoms her patients experience. This knowledge is aimed at improving diagnostic strategies, improved selection of treatment options, and improving outcomes.

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Sub: Clinical Neurophysiology)
    United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (Autonomic Disorders)
    American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Neurology)

    Patient Rating

    Rating: 4.7 out of 5
    4.7 /5
    ( out of 32 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Very good and very supportive

    UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    If you need a neurology team, choose this amazing team!

    CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Impressive expertise and hopeful advise.

    CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    knowledgeable, kind and personal.

    CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    I couldn't ask for a better neurologist than Dr. Cortez. I am always amazed with how well prepared Dr. Cortez comes to each of my appointments. She reviews my chart and knows precisely what health issues have gone on in my life since she last met with me. I never feel rushed. She listens to me and asks great questions to help her provide me with the very best care possible.

    CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    I have a complex medical condition and have seen many providers at the U over the past 15 years. Dr Cortez stands out for meticulous history-taking, thorough physical examination, and careful consideration of differential diagnoses. I'm a fan!

    CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    I have had the privilege of being a patient of Dr Cortez for several years. She is one a few Doctors that truly cares about her patients. She has been thorough in my Healthcare. She truly is one of a kind. We need more Doctors like her. She is the best!

    CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr. Cortez is an amazing and caring doctor. I would highly recommend her for anyone who is in need of neurological care. She is outstanding!

    IMAGING AND NEUROSCIENCES CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    dr Cortez is great as usual. I do have some feedback for dr. Jensen. no doubt he is very intelligent as he made it through all of med school but during the appointment I was definitely talked to as if I was a moron. while reading the results of one of my blood tests ended with "but that probably means nothing to you". you don't need to be a doctor to understand what a significant titer and pattern are. he found his footing a bit but then when I said "I don't know how anyone does this alone" referring to how I need a ton of help from my spouse who is in healthcare to upkeep the house of cards that is my health and dr Jensen jumped immediately to "why because of all the medical language?" I get that I am not a doctor but I also don't like being talked down to like I am a moron lol. however I do understand (in my experience) that residents as far along as he is do tend to be like this.

  • 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 to better understand the underlying physiology of symptoms her patients experience. This knowledge is aimed at improving diagnostic strategies, improved selection of treatment options, and improving outcomes.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Neurology -Associate Professor (Clinical)
    Board Certification
    American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Sub: Clinical Neurophysiology)
    United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (Autonomic Disorders)
    American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Neurology)

    Education history

    Undergraduate Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - Cornell College
    Undergraduate Molecular Biology, Minor in Psychology - University of Wyoming B.S.
    Doctoral Training Medicine - Midwestern University/Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine Doctorate
    Internship Preliminary Medicine - University of Minnesota Intern
    Residency Adult Neurology - University of Utah School of Medicine Resident
    Chief Resident Adult Neurology - University of Utah School of Medicine Chief Resident
    Fellowship Multiple Sclerosis - Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic Clinical Fellow
    Fellowship Clinical Neurophysiology, Electromyography/Autonomics - Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic Fellow

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Cortez MM, Millsap L, Brennan K (2021). Synergistic but separable sensory changes in postural tachycardia syndrome and chronic migraine. Clinical autonomic research, 31(2), 263-271. (Read full publication)
    2. Cortez MM, Millsap L, Brennan KC, Campbell C (2020). Craniofacial Autonomic Dysfunction in Migraine: Implications for Treatment and Prognosis. Journal of neuro-ophthalmology, 40(1), 67-73. (Read full publication)
    3. Cortez MM, Digre K, Uddin D, Hung M, Blitzer A, Bounsanga J, Voss MW, Katz B (2019). Validation of a photophobia symptom impact scale. Cephalalgia, 39(11), 1445-1454. (Read full publication)
    4. Schwedt TJ, Sahai-Srivastava S, Murinova N, Birlea M, Ahmed Z, Digre K, Lopez K, Mullally W, Blaya MT, Pippitt K, Cutrer FM, DeLange J, Schecht H, Rizzoli P, Lane J, Wald J, Cortez MM, Martin VT, Spare NM, Hentz JG, Robert T, Dodick DW, MOTS Investigators (2021). Determinants of pain interference and headache impact in patients who have chronic migraine with medication overuse: Results from the MOTS trial. Cephalalgia, 41(10), 1053-1064. (Read full publication)
    5. Cortez MM, Millsap L, Rea NA, Sciarretta C, Brennan K (2021). Photophobia and allodynia in persistent post-traumatic headache are associated with higher disease burden. Cephalalgia, 41(10), 1089-1099. (Read full publication)
    6. Hanson LL, Ahmed Z, Katz BJ, Warner JEA, Crum AV, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Baggaley S, Pippitt K, Cortez MM, Digre K (2018). Patients With Migraine Have Substantial Reductions in Measures of Visual Quality of Life. Headache, 58(7), 1007-1013. (Read full publication)
    7. Villani LA, Digre KB, Cortez MM, Bokat C, Rassner UA, Ozudogru S (2021). Arachnoiditis, a complication of epidural blood patch for the treatment of low-pressure headache: A case report and systematic review. Headache, 61(2), 244-252. (Read full publication)
    8. Parkhouse RME, Sciutto E, Hernández M, Cortez MM, Carpio A, Fleury (2020). Extraparenchymal human neurocysticercosis induces autoantibodies against brain tubulin and MOG35-55 in cerebral spinal fluid. Journal of neuroimmunology, 349, 577389.
    9. Rea NA, Rosenberg CL, Cortez M (2017). Quantitative assessment of autonomic symptom burden in Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Journal of the neurological sciences, 377, 35-41.
    10. Cortez MM, Wold JJ, Renner D (2014). International issues: expanding neurologic education to resource-poor countries. Lessons from Moi Teaching Hospital. Neurology, 82(3), e18-20. (Read full publication)
    11. Cortez MM, Wilder M, McFadden M, Majersik J (2014). Quality of Life after Intra-arterial Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke. Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases, 23(7), 1890-6.
    12. Cortez M, Singleton JR, Smith A (2014). Glucose intolerance, metabolic syndrome, and neuropathy. Handbook of clinical neurology, 126, 109-22. (Read full publication)
    13. Cortez MM, Rae N, Millsap L, McKean N, Brennan K (2019). Pupil Cycle Time Distinguishes Migraineurs From Subjects Without Headache. Frontiers in neurology, 10, 478. (Read full publication)
    14. Sanchez JMS, McNally JS, Cortez MM, Hemp J, Pace LA, Clardy S (2020). Neuroimmunogastroenterology: At the Interface of Neuroimmunology and Gastroenterology. Frontiers in neurology, 11, 787. (Read full publication)
    15. Cortez MM, Nagi Reddy SK,Goodman B, Carter JL, Wingerchuk D (2015). Autonomic Symptom Burden is Associated with MS-Related Fatigue and Quality of Life. Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 4(3), 258¿263.
    16. Cortez MM, Theriot J, Rea NA, Gowen F, Brennan K (2019). Low-frequency facial hemodynamic oscillations distinguish migraineurs from non-headache controls. 2, 1-9.
    17. Langford JS, Tokita E, Martindale C, Millsap L, Hemp J, Pace LA, Cortez M (2022). Quantitative gastrointestinal function and corresponding symptom profiles in autonomic neuropathy. Frontiers in neurology, 13, 1027348. (Read full publication)
    18. Starling AJ, Cortez MM, Jarvis NR, Zhang N, Porreca F, Chong CD, Schwedt T (2022). Cutaneous heat and light-induced pain thresholds in post-traumatic headache attributed to mild traumatic brain injury. Headache, 62(6), 726-736. (Read full publication)
    19. Fino PC, Dibble LE, Wilde EA, Fino NF, Johnson P, Cortez MM, Hansen CR, van der Veen SM, Skop KM, Werner JK, Tate DF, Levin HS, Pugh MJV, Walker W (2022). Sensory Phenotypes for Balance Dysfunction After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Neurology, 99(5), e521-35. (Read full publication)
    20. Leibovit-Reiben Z, Ishii R, Dodick DW, Dumkrieger G, Cortez MM, Brennan KC, Digre K, Schwedt T (2022). The impact of pre-morbid headaches on headache features and long-term health outcomes following traumatic brain injury: Insights from the American Registry for Migraine Research. Headache, 62(5), 566-576. (Read full publication)
    21. Raj SR, Bourne KM, Stiles LE, Miglis MG, Cortez MM, Miller AJ, Freeman R, Biaggioni I, Rowe PC, Sheldon RS, Shibao CA, Diedrich A, Systrom DM, Cook GA, Doherty TA, Abdallah HI, Grubb BP, Fedorowski A, Stewart JM, Arnold AC, Pace LA, Axelsson J, Boris JR, Moak JP, Goodman BP, Chémali KR, Chung TH, Goldstein DS, Darbari A, Vernino (2021). Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS): Priorities for POTS care and research from a 2019 National Institutes of Health Expert Consensus Meeting - Part 2. Autonomic neuroscience, 235, 102836. (Read full publication)
    22. Vernino S, Bourne KM, Stiles LE, Grubb BP, Fedorowski A, Stewart JM, Arnold AC, Pace LA, Axelsson J, Boris JR, Moak JP, Goodman BP, Chémali KR, Chung TH, Goldstein DS, Diedrich A, Miglis MG, Cortez MM, Miller AJ, Freeman R, Biaggioni I, Rowe PC, Sheldon RS, Shibao CA, Systrom DM, Cook GA, Doherty TA, Abdallah HI, Darbari A, Raj S (2021). Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS): State of the science and clinical care from a 2019 National Institutes of Health Expert Consensus Meeting - Part 1. Autonomic neuroscience, 235, 102828. (Read full publication)
    23. Ishii R, Schwedt TJ, Trivedi M, Dumkrieger G, Cortez MM, Brennan KC, Digre K, Dodick D (2021). Mild traumatic brain injury affects the features of migraine. The journal of headache and pain, 22(1), 80. (Read full publication)
    24. Cortez MM, Theriot JJ, Rea NA, Gowen FE, Brennan K (2019). Low-frequency facial hemodynamic oscillations distinguish migraineurs from non-headache controls. Cephalalgia reports, 2, (Read full publication)
    25. Cortez MM, Millsap L, Rea NA, Sciarretta C, Brennan K (2021). Photophobia and allodynia in persistent post-traumatic headache are associated with higher disease burden. Cephalalgia, 41(10), 1089-1099.
    26. Walker WC, Clark SW, Eppich K, Wilde EA, Martin AM, Allen CM, Cortez MM, Pugh MJ, Walton SR, Kenney (2023). Headache among combat-exposed veterans and service members and its relation to mild traumatic brain injury history and other factors: a LIMBIC-CENC study. Frontiers in neurology, 14, 1242871. (Read full publication)
    27. Martindale C, Presson AP, Schwedt TJ, Brennan KC, Cortez M (2023). Sensory hypersensitivities are associated with post-traumatic headache-related disability. Headache, 63(8), 1061-1069. (Read full publication)
    28. Cortez MM, Martindale C, Brennan KC, Kean J, Millar MM, Knudson A, Katz BJ, Digre KB, Presson AP, Zhang (2023). Validation of the Utah Photophobia Symptom Impact Scale (version 2) as a headache-specific photophobia assessment tool. Headache, 63(5), 672-682. (Read full publication)
    29. De Almeida BI, Smith TL, Delic A, Esquibel L, Galli J, Millsap L, Paz Soldán MM, Cortez MM, Rose J, Greenlee JE, Gundlapalli AV, Hill HR, Wong KH, Clardy S (2023). Neurologic Manifestations of Common Variable Immunodeficiency: Impact on Quality of Life. Neurology(R) neuroimmunology & neuroinflammation, 10(3), (Read full publication)
    30. Juraschek SP, Cortez MM, Flack JM, Ghazi L, Kenny RA, Rahman M, Spikes T, Shibao CA, Biaggioni (2024). Orthostatic Hypotension in Adults With Hypertension: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Hypertension, 81(3), e16-30.
    31. Ziaks L, Johnson K, Schiltz K, Pelo R, Lamotte G, Dal Molin C, Chung T, Cortez M (2024). Adaptive Approaches to Exercise Rehabilitation for Postural Tachycardia Syndrome and Related Autonomic Disorders. Arch Rehabil Res Clin Transl, 6(4), 100366.

    Review

    1. Pelo R, Suttman E, Fino PC, McFarland MM, Dibble LE, Cortez M (2023). Autonomic dysfunction and exercise intolerance in concussion: a scoping review. Clinical autonomic research, 33(2), 149-163. (Read full publication)
    2. Cortez MM, Aikins K, Arnold AC, Boris JR, Davenport TE, Johnson K, Kattaya HS, Kinsella L, McFarland MM, Pelo R, Powers CD, Schiltz K, Stiles LE, Ziaks L, Chung TH, Dal Molin C (2025). Impact of exercise to treat postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: a systematic review. Frontiers Neurology, 16(1567708),

    Book Chapter

    1. Cortez MM, Singleton JR, Smith A (2014). Glucose intolerance, metabolic syndrome, and neuropathy. 126, 109-22.

    Case Report

    1. Ginos J, Mcnally S, Cortez M, Quigley E, Shah L (2015). Vertebral Artery Dissection and Cord Infarction - an Uncommon Cause of Brown-Séquard and Horner Syndromes. Cureus, 7(8), e308. (Read full publication)

    Letter

    1. Ozudogru S, Loucao S, Rauf A, Cortez (2019). Post-stroke short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with autonomic symptoms (SUNA): response to lamotrigine and sphenopalatine ganglion block. Clinical autonomic research, 29(3), 357-359. (Read full publication)
    2. Ozudogru SN, Villani LA, Cortez MM, Bokat C, Rassner UA, Digre K (2021). Arachnoiditis following epidural blood patch-An avoidable rare complication due to blind technique: A response. Headache, 61(6), 974-975. (Read full publication)
    3. Miglis MG, Syed N, Cortez MM, Viser FC, van Campen CLMC, Novak (2024). Is it time to move beyond blood pressure and heart rate during head-up tilt testing?. Clinical autonomic research, 34(2), 317-320.

    Abstract

    1. Cortez M, Rea N, Vongvaivanich K, Hunter K, Theriot J, Brennan K (2015). Post-traumatic headache can be physiologically discriminated from migraine with aura. Cephalalgia, 35(6), suppl pg 116.

    Video/Film/CD/Web/Podcast

    1. Cortez M, Holiday V, Greenlee (2010). Article recommendations and reviews, Neuro-Oncology/Immunology Section Associate Faculty Member.