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Doctors Robert and Rafael Mendez

The Mendez National Institute of Transplantation (MNIT) was founded by Doctors Robert and Rafael Mendez to advance the science and practice of organ transplantation. In 1984, in affiliation with the University of Southern California (USC) School of Medicine Keck School and the Daughters of Charity Health System, the Doctor Mendez formed the Los Angeles Transplant Institute. In 1989, the Los Angeles Transplant Institute became the Mendez National Institute of Transplantation (MNIT).

The twin co-founders of MNIT native to Detroit Michigan, came to California with their family where they attended Culver High School. Robert graduated from Stanford with his bachelor’s degree, before attending University of California at San Francisco where he received his medicine degree. Rafael enrolled in Stanford University and then the University of California at San Francisco, where he received both his bachelor’s and doctor of medicine degrees.

Dr. Rafael G. Mendez

After a scholarship in surgical pathology at the Mayo clinic and internship at Bellevue Hospital Cornell Surgical Service in New York City, Dr. Rafael G. Mendez completed his residency in urology at Los Angeles - USC Medical Center. He was certified by the American Board of Urology and became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

A member of numerous local and national medical societies, Dr. Rafael G. Mendez is a consultant to the California Senate Subcommittee on Foreign Medical School of Graduates and the urological service of the Autonomous University of Guadalajara, Mexico.

He pursues research interests in minimally invasive laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, innovative surgical techniques in vascular anomalies of kidney homografts, cold perfusion storage in renal transplantation, monoclonal antibody use in immunosuppression in kidney recipients, and modulation of immunologic responses.

Dr. Rafael G. Mendez is author of 41 peer-reviewed scientific papers
Video to learn more about the Institute.

The Doctor Mendez father was Rafael Mendez. Rafael Mendez was a popular Mexican virtuoso solo trumpeter. Mendez was legendary for his tone, range and technique. Méndez's trumpet playing was characterized by a brilliant tone, wide vibrato and clean, rapid articulation. His repertoire was a mixture of classical, popular, Mexican folk music and jazz. Méndez contributed many arrangements and original compositions to the trumpet repertoire. Both Robert and Rafael played the trumpet with their father. (see video from Ed Sullivan and Art Linkletter television shows)

 




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