Senior Vascular Surgeon
St. Luke’s-Roosevelt

Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery- Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons

Donna M Mendes, MD is a nationally and internationally recognized vascular surgeon. She is a 1977 graduate of Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, where she obtained her medical degree, and continuing her affiliation with Columbia, was an intern and resident at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center where she has been in practice since 1984. Deciding to become a vascular surgeon during the very early stages of the shaping of that field, she completed her Vascular Surgery fellowship at The Englewood Hospital with her mentor Dr. Herbert Dardik, who recently awarded her "The Herbert Dardik Research & Education Award" for her contribution to Healthcare for Women & Minorities.

Dr. Mendes was the first Chief of Vascular Surgery at St. Luke’s from 1992-1998 where she strongly influenced several young residents at the time, received the teacher of the year award from them several times, and stimulated many to choose the field of vascular surgery. Dr. Mendes was also Chief of Vascular Surgery at North General Hospital from 2002-2005, when it was an affiliated hospital of SLR. She is the immediate past president of the Medical Board at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital. Presently, she is a Senior Vascular attending at St. Luke’s and Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at Columbia University.

Dr. Mendes is a member of the Society of Vascular Surgeons, and was chair of their Diversity Committee for several years. As a member of the American Board of Surgery, she was asked to be an oral examiner for the Vascular Qualifying exam, a distinct honor. Her resume lists the numerous organizations she belongs to including the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Clinical Vascular Surgery, the Society of Black American Surgeons and the National Medical Association.

Dr. Mendes is on the Board of Directors of Hofstra University, her alma mater and previously served on the Boards of the Association of Black Cardiologists, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation of NYC, and the American Red Cross of Bergen County. She recently partnered with the King Edward Memorial Hospital in Bermuda and participated in their Vascular Access Management Program from 2007-2009. She was also a participant in the Upper Manhattan Health Initiative, a program developed by Representative Charles Rangel which wanted to have Columbia University Medical Center, St. Luke’s Roosevelt, Mount Sinai and North General Hospitals work together for the well being of the Upper Manhattan patient.

Dr. Mendes mentors young women interested in pursuing a career in surgery and has received numerous letters requesting guidance, from as far away as Nigeria. As a member of the Society of Black American Surgeons, she most recently has been asked to help young pre-medical students with their decision making regarding lifestyle as a surgeon.

Dr. Mendes is most recently focusing more attention on determining the reasons why being an African American black is a risk factor for vascular disease while she continues to teach her patients what they must do to avoid the complications of the disease.

Dr. Mendes is also nurturing a renewed interest in venous disease pathology and treatment. Her personal website is www.theveincarespecialist.com.