Meet the 2026 Leadership College Graduate: Chantal Mendes, MD
By Alisa Pierce

When Houston anesthesiologist Chantal Mendes, MD, moved back to Texas after completing her residency in in New York and practicing in New Jersey, she resolved to become more involved in organized medicine – both to defend the practice of medicine and to represent Black voices in health care leadership.

It wasn’t long after joining the Texas Medical Association that Dr. Mendes found her advocacy footing – first as a Harris County Medical Society (HCMS) delegate to TMA and then through the association’s Leadership College, which she graduated from in May.

“The Leadership College was amazing. It was one of the most influential professional development experiences I’ve had outside of going to medical school,” the vice chair of HCMS’ Women Physicians Section said. “The college taught me how to think thoughtfully and speak with command. It was a safe space for everybody to express how they really feel.”

For her capstone project, Dr. Mendes authored and submitted an opinion piece for consideration by multiple publications calling for targeted outreach that would increase African American students’ exposure to STEM programs. Citing her own experiences in medicine, she called for schools to bring more Black professionals into classrooms and mentorship programs to show prospective medical students that their dreams are achievable.

Dr. Mendes has since joined HCMS’ central branch as a young physician ambassador, advising the medical society on how to recruit and serve members in their first years of practice. 

“Some people don’t know how to become a physician, especially if no one in their family is one. But you can cultivate future physicians by piquing students’ interest early,” Dr. Mendes said. “This process has also prompted personal reflection: I recognize the importance of doing more, myself, to advance visibility and meaningful early exposure to medical careers for young students.”

For more information on the Leadership College, including the application and selection process, visit its webpage.