Her Story
About Natasha
Dr. Natasha Mendez owns and operates PD Gut Health, a concierge pediatric gastroenterology practice based in Boca Raton, Florida. She earned her medical degree from Caribbean University in Puerto Rico and completed her pediatric residency and subspecialty fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at the Stephen and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center in New York in 2017. After nearly a decade in hospital-based practice, she transitioned in early 2026 to launch her own concierge model, emphasizing accessible high-quality care, prevention, and convenience through home visits and telehealth. Dr. Mendez attributes her success to the strong work ethic and values instilled by her Cuban immigrant family, as well as the support of her physician husband and her two daughters. She is passionate about authenticity in medicine, building community among women physicians, teaching pre-med students and patients, and expanding her reach through social media and an upcoming podcast titled Doctoring the Chaos.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Natasha
01What do you attribute your success to?
My family and how I was raised as the eldest daughter to two Cuban immigrant parents who fled communist Cuba in the early 1960s. My grandparents came with nothing and built everything through sacrifice. This instilled a strong work ethic, willingness to take risks, and belief that freedom matters more than comfort. Also fortunate to be married to another physician who supports the chaos, and being a mom to two daughters who motivate me to model values and make them proud.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don't wait for permission to be yourself. Don't shrink to fit someone else's idea or mold of what a doctor should be, because our humanity as physicians, as women physicians in particular, is our superpower. Build community with other women doctors and entrepreneurs who get what you're going through.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't wait for permission to be yourself. Don't shrink to fit someone else's idea or mold of what a doctor should be, because our humanity as physicians, as women physicians in particular, is our superpower. Build community with other women doctors and entrepreneurs who get what you're going through.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Biggest challenge is time - balancing building practice, family, staying current with literature, and creating social media content. It's more about alignment than balance. Biggest opportunities include breaking away from hospital to build own practice providing quality care, teaching anatomy and physiology to pre-med students, educating patients daily, and being an educator on social media and launching a podcast.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Authenticity and honesty. Staying true to who you are.
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