(
out of
32
reviews
)
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
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 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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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),
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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,
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Cortez M, Singleton JR, Smith A (2014). Glucose intolerance, metabolic syndrome, and neuropathy. Handbook of clinical neurology, 126, 109-22.
Review
- 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),
- 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.
Book Chapter
- Cortez MM, Singleton JR, Smith A (2014). Glucose intolerance, metabolic syndrome, and neuropathy. 126, 109-22.
Case Report
- 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.
Letter
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Abstract
- 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
- Cortez M, Holiday V, Greenlee (2010). Article recommendations and reviews, Neuro-Oncology/Immunology Section Associate Faculty Member.
I have been dealing with chronic disease and multiple providers for more than 10 years. Dr. Cortez is the most professional and committed clinician I've ever worked with. She has been the driving force behind all my health successes since I started with her 6 years ago.
I went to see Dr. Cortez for my POTS. I have numerous other autoimmune conditions that she knew about and could speak about POTS concerns with consideration to other chronic illnesses. She is knowledgable, caring, and personable. Worth the wait to get into her!
She may well be a good doctor, but I'll never know. My 2 appts with a total of 20 mins & a curt goodbye from her. Make sure you can use your local team & not have to travel back & forth to appts that could be done online-especially if you are a senior. Wasted 2+ yrs & right back where I started. Got more help with symptoms & treatment from internet & FB. Really so sad!
Excellent care. Very personable.
Impressive expertise and hopeful advise.
Considerate and extremely helpful, it feels like I actually have a plan going forward for my care, couldn't recommend more!
Dr. Cortez is incredible ' such an amazing expert, so supportive, deeply knowledgeable, and very helpful. I feel very lucky I get to have her support in managing a condition as challenging as POTS. It makes me feel empowered and hopeful. The quality of care is really impressive. In the five years she's been my doctor, I have improved dramatically and manage my illness way better. She truly gave me my life back and I'm so grateful.
Best in class - without a doubt
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!
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!
She is doing a great service helping people like me with these particular situations, not just in this state but all in this region of the country.
She is a very caring person.
Dr. Cortez is an amazing physician. Kind, caring, knowledgeable an genuinely cares about the well being of her patients. She is a fantastic listener and takes time with her patients. Very impressed!
Dr. Cortez is very knowledgeable. She's the only one in miles who specializes in my condition, with the added bonus of also being a caring and pleasant person. I'm so glad I found her!
Many doctors told me I needed to see Dr. Cortez that if anyone can help me she could. While we haven't found a solution, she tried a number of options and is still looking for something that can help.
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!
I was not able to meet with the provider for consult due to them not being in office that day, i was attending from out of state and was sure to mention i have no problem coming back for a follow with the provider for a consultation in the future.
Dr. Cortez was very professional. The male who came in to speak to me just before her was very unprofessional. I'm not talking about the person who came out in the lobby to bring me back and check me in before the doctors came in.
Dr. Cortez is not only smart but she's caring and she truly listens When you're trying to find answers that means more than words can say
Dr. Cortez is amazing. Her treatments have given me my life back. She is always friendly and great at listening, in addition to being one of the best experts in her field. I'm incredibly grateful that she has been the one helping me with my dysautonomia/POTS the past few years.
If you need a neurology team, choose this amazing team!
She is knowledgeable, kind, gentle bedside manner, and very thorough.
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.
Dr. Cortez is the ideal practitioner: open, attentive, thoughtful, mindful, engaging, intelligent, educated, current, and caring.
Glad I was finally able to see her - took a long time. My hope is we can figure out what is wrong
Very good and very supportive
I was very impressed with her knowledge and that she wants to get to the source of my problem rather than just throw pills at me. She was very personable and down-to-earth.
Very caring and professional. She's a great doctor.
The only tidbit that would have made it better was to to have her explain her finding. I received the notes in MyChart app however there are questions when some of the results of the actual physical tests were obviously a concern, I would have like to have that explained to me I.e why one muscle group on a certain side were complete out of balance in comparison to the other side. Other than that everything else went smoothly.
Havent met her yet!
Dr. Melissa Cortez is one of a kind, what I appreciated her kind manner and I think she can help me with my health problems, I waited with great anticipation, to see her and I wasnt disappointed.
Very professional and caring in wanting to help me further to help me heal
She is caring and knowledgeable. She is open to all my questions, and listens very carefully. Dr. Cortez is very culturally humble with me as a Latina. She makes the time and I feel like she cares about me. I love her
Dr. Cortez is an amazing doctor. She does everything she can to help her patients. I trust her with my care. She truly listens to you and answers questions in a way you can understand.
knowledgeable, kind and personal.
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.
All excellent.
Dr. Cortez is amazing and I am so grateful to have her help with managing my POTS.