Melissa Villegas, MD

Education

BS, University of Wisconsin–La Cross, La Crosse, Wisconsin
MD, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
Residency, Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Fellowship, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio

Professional Activities

Dr. Melissa Villegas is assistant professor in the Division of Developmental Pediatrics and Rehabilitative Medicine. She serves as director of the Cerebral Palsy Clinic at UW Health Kids and the Waisman Center. Villegas is a leader in enhancing care for individuals with disabilities and is involved in various committees, such as the Health Equity Activation Team (HEAT) at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. At the department level, Villegas is a member of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism (IDEAA) Committee.

Villegas holds leadership positions within the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Villegas has an affiliate appointment in the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation.

Clinical Interests

Villegas’ clinical interests span pediatric rehabilitation medicine, where she specializes in providing comprehensive care to children with complex medical needs. With a focus on conditions such as cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury, Villegas is committed to improving the quality of life and functional outcomes for her young patients.

Research Interests

Villegas’ research interests center on multidisciplinary approaches to improving the lives of children with neurological and developmental disorders. Her work encompasses the integration of national curriculum initiatives in developmental medicine, aiming to advance the understanding and treatment of conditions such as cerebral palsy.