Melissa Armstrong, MD, MSc

Melissa Armstrong, MD, MSc is Director of the UF Health Mangurian Clinical-Research Headquarters for Lewy Body Dementia at the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at the University of Florida. Dr. Armstrong earned her medical degree from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, where she also completed her neurology residency. She went on to complete a movement disorders fellowship at Toronto Western Hospital and received a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology and Healthcare Research from the University of Toronto in 2011.

Her clinical work focuses on conditions within the Parkinson family of disorders, including Parkinson disease, Lewy body dementia, and atypical parkinsonisms such as corticobasal syndrome, progressive supranuclear palsy, and multiple system atrophy. She works with individuals and families to develop personalized care approaches that address symptoms, improve quality of life and align with patient goals. Care strategies may include medication when appropriate as well as collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to provide supportive therapies and non-drug interventions.

Dr. Armstrong also leads research through the LBD Life Lab, supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Florida Department of Health. Her research examines the lived experiences of people with parkinsonisms and dementia and their caregivers. Current work includes studying causes and outcomes of hospitalization in Lewy body dementia, improving how dementia diagnoses are communicated, identifying clinical and research priorities for people living with dementia with Lewy bodies and their caregivers and advancing approaches to diagnose and manage the disease. She also investigates the clinical challenges faced during the moderate to advanced stages of Lewy body dementia.

In addition to her clinical and research roles, Dr. Armstrong serves as Associate Chair of Faculty Development in the Department of Neurology at the University of Florida.