Dr. Melissa Hernandez is a psychiatrist who earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She completed her psychiatry residency training at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida.

Dr. Hernandez’s clinical interests include the diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders, psychotic disorders, dementia, and other behavioral health conditions. She is particularly interested in the intersection of psychiatry and neurocognitive disorders, with a longstanding commitment to Alzheimer’s disease research and advocacy.

Throughout her career, Dr. Hernandez has participated in numerous research initiatives focused on dementia, cognitive decline, mental health, and community health. She served as a research assistant for the internationally recognized 10/66 Dementia Research Group and contributed to studies evaluating dementia prevalence and risk factors in the Dominican Republic. Her research experience also includes investigations into depression, psychotic disorders, substance-related psychiatric illness, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults.

Dr. Hernandez has authored and co-authored multiple research projects and presentations, including studies on dementia epidemiology, delayed presentation of psychotic disorders, and treatment-resistant psychosis. She has presented her work at academic conferences and institutional research events.

In addition to her clinical and research activities, Dr. Hernandez has been actively involved in Alzheimer’s disease advocacy and community outreach through the Dominican Alzheimer’s Association, helping organize awareness campaigns, support programs, and educational initiatives. She is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and the American College of Physicians.

Dr. Hernandez is fluent in both English and Spanish.

*This physician is employed by Mount Sinai Medical Center