Doctor Méndez is a double board certified gastroenterologist and internist. She specializes in digestive disorders, which include liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and nutrition based-disorders, such as obesity and constipation. Her approach to patients and their diseases is holistic and comprehensive; her goal is not just to treat the symptoms, but to get to the root cause of an ailment and provide lasting relief. All her methods are evidence-based and she is a proponent of lifestyle changes first to promote wellness. Dr. Méndez attended Harvard University, where she obtained a B.A. in Latin American Studies, with a minor in pre-medicine. From there, she began her medical training at the ACGME accredited Universidad Central del Caribe in Puerto Rico, completed her Residency in Internal Medicine at University of Miami/ Jackson Memorial Hospital, and her Fellowship in Gastroenterology at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans. She has also trained in Epidemiology through Florida International University, and in Plant-Based Nutrition through Cornell University. She was awarded a visiting fellowship at the Mayo Clinic through the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation where she received special training in inflammatory bowel diseases. She has also helped lead multiple fund-raising walks to raise awareness for Crohn’s and Colitis in the Miami area. She was awarded Physician Champion at the Takes Steps Walk 2019 for the GastroHealth Team.

I have a unique approach to health that goes beyond traditional medical thinking and focuses on the root causes of the problems we face. I use a lifestyle rich, plant based approach to help you achieve optimal health.

Special interest in addressing obesity, diabetes and their complications with diet and exercise.

A whole-food, plant-based diet is the most powerful intervention for reversing chronic diseases. It should be the foundation of a healthy and mindful lifestyle. As a practitioner of and a clinical researcher on the whole-food, plant-based diet, I support my patients in achieving healing and maintaining health holistically.

I enjoy preventing and reversing disease through a nutritious plant based diet, over using pharmaceuticals.

I am applying for membership in Plant-Based Docs because i am very interested in becoming a lifestyle medicine physician. I have been interested in this career for a number of years. I enjoy teaching patients the simple and basic lifestyle to maintain their health and will reverse their lifestyle related diseases.