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Joe S. Mendez
( out of 83 reviews )

Joe S. Mendez, MD

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Huntsman Cancer Institute - Cancer Hospital South

Clinic 2B, Neuro-Oncology
Salt Lake City
801-585-0250
  • Joe Mendez, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Utah and an Investigator at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. He specializes in Neuro-Oncology with a focus on treating patients with gliomas, primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), and metastatic disease to the central nervous system.

    Dr. Mendez received his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering and Science from Rice University followed by his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco. He completed his neurology residency at Washington University in St. Louis/Barnes-Jewish Hospital where he also served as Chief Resident. He most recently completed his fellowship in Neuro-Oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

    Dr. Mendez’s research interests include clinical trial research focused on the treatment of gliomas and primary central nervous system lymphoma. His other interest is medical education with a focus on teaching and mentoring medical students, residents, and fellows.

    Dr. Mendez is originally from Wichita Falls, Texas. He enjoys playing tennis and traveling to international destinations with his partner, who is a Radiologist in the Breast Imaging Division at the University of Utah.

    Board Certification

    American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Neurology)
    United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (Neuro-oncology)

    Patient Rating

    4.9 /5
    ( out of 83 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety.
    Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    October 31, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Mendez was so kind, understanding, and incredibly thorough. He took time to explain everything and made sure to answer all of my questions. He has a calm demeanor and is very comforting and supportive. I feel fortunate to be under his care and guidance. His whole team was helpful and kind as well. I can't say enough good things about my experience!

    October 22, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    De Méndez has been a blessing from God and has always explained and given feedback about my care

    October 05, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Una excelente persona muy profesional!

    September 22, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    I am very fortunate to have Dr. Mendez be my Physician. He diagnosed and provided a plan and treatment to remove the PTLD that developed in my brain. He also ordered the right Chemotherapy plan to attack any of the PTLD that might have been missed from the surgery. The person who is fortunate enough to have Dr Mendez treat them for their cancer concerns, can rest reassured that he and his staff will do everything that is needed to provide the care and treatment for their personal needs.

    September 20, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    He is awesome does an excellent job of helping you understand and asks for your questions.

    September 14, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Love that man! Honest compassionate warm understanding caring everything good!

    September 06, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Mendez is an outstanding doctor. He is very intelligent and bright. His service is excellent.

    July 11, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Mendez is a wonderful doctor.

    July 03, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Mendez was extremely knowledgeable and compassionate about the treatment options available to my Mother for her glioblastoma. He took ample time to explain the options and the choices before us.

  • Joe Mendez, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Utah and an Investigator at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. He specializes in Neuro-Oncology with a focus on treating patients with gliomas, primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), and metastatic disease to the central nervous system.

    Dr. Mendez received his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering and Science from Rice University followed by his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco. He completed his neurology residency at Washington University in St. Louis/Barnes-Jewish Hospital where he also served as Chief Resident. He most recently completed his fellowship in Neuro-Oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

    Dr. Mendez’s research interests include clinical trial research focused on the treatment of gliomas and primary central nervous system lymphoma. His other interest is medical education with a focus on teaching and mentoring medical students, residents, and fellows.

    Dr. Mendez is originally from Wichita Falls, Texas. He enjoys playing tennis and traveling to international destinations with his partner, who is a Radiologist in the Breast Imaging Division at the University of Utah.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Neurosurgery -Primary
    Neurology -Adjunct
    Board Certification
    American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Neurology)
    United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (Neuro-oncology)

    Education history

    Fellowship Neuro-Oncology - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Fellow
    Neurology - Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis Administrative Chief Resident
    Residency Neurology - Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis/Barnes-Jewish Hospital Resident
    Internal Medicine - Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis/Barnes-Jewish Hospital Intern
    Professional Medical Medicine - University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine M.D.
    Environmental Engineering and Science - Rice University B.A.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Robinson LJ, Goold E, Cannon DM, Mendez JS, Menacho ST, Mao Q, Liu T (2024). A rare case of an adult primary intracranial sarcoma associated with a DICER1 mutation. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol, 83(5), 365-369. (Read full article)
    2. Arnold L, Hoshina Y, Hyejung L, Haaland B, Colman H, Mendez JS (2024). Effect of Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia Prophylaxis on Hematologic Toxicity in Patients Receiving Chemoradiation for Primary BrainTumors. J Neurooncol, 167(1), 211-217.
    3. Mellinghoff IK, van den Bent MJ, Blumenthal DT, Touat M, Peters KB, Clarke J, Mendez J, Yust-Katz S, Welsh L, Mason WP, Ducray F, Umemura Y, Nabors B, Holdhoff M, Hottinger AF, Arakawa Y, Sepulveda JM, Wick W, Soffietti R, Perry JR, Giglio P, de la Fuente M, Maher EA, Schoenfeld S, Zhao D, Pandya SS, Steelman L, Hassan I, Wen PY, Cloughesy TF (2023). Vorasidenib in IDH1- or IDH2-Mutant Low-Grade Glioma. N Engl J Med, 389(7), 589-601. (Read full article)
    4. Earl ER, Colman H, Mendez J, Jensen RL, Karsy M (2023). An evaluation of biobanking and therapeutic clinical trial representation among adult glioma patients from rural and urban Utah. Neurooncol Pract, 10(5), 472-481. (Read full article)
    5. Lucas CG, Davidson CJ, Alashari M, Putnam AR, Whipple NS, Bruggers CS, Mendez JS, Cheshier SH, Walker JB, Ramani B, Cadwell CR, Sullivan DV, Lu R, Mirchia K, Van Ziffle J, Devine P, Goldschmidt E, Hervey-Jumper SL, Gupta N, Oberheim Bush NA, Raleigh DR, Bollen A, Tihan T, Pekmezci M, Solomon DA, Phillips JJ, Perry A (2023). Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Reveals Divergent Clonal Evolution in Components of Composite Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma-Ganglioglioma. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol, 81(8), 650-657. (Read full article)
    6. Gelhard S, Maxwell A, Colman H, Cohen AL, Mendez JS (2022). Consolidation regimens in primary central nervous system lymphoma: a single-center retrospective cohort evaluating survival outcomes and cost-benefit analysis. J Neurooncol, 159(2), 293-300. (Read full article)
    7. Kraus RD, Weil CR, Su FCF, Cannon DM, Burt LM, Mendez JS (2022). Incidence and extent of disease progression on MRI between surgery and initiation of radiotherapy in glioblastoma patients. Neurooncol Pract, 9(5), 380-389. (Read full article)
    8. Guney E, Lucas CG, Qi Z, Yu J, Zhang R, Ohgami RS, Rubenstein JL, Bou DR, Schafernak KT, Wertheim GB, Dahiya S, Giulino-Roth L, Attarbaschi A, Barth MJ, Kothari S, Abla O, Cohen AL, Mendez JS, Bollen AW, Perry A, Tihan T, Pekmezci M, Solomon DA, Wen KW (2022). A genetically distinct pediatric subtype of primary CNS large B-cell lymphoma is associated with favorable clinical outcome. Blood Adv, 6, 3189-3193. (Read full article)
    9. Parsons MW, Whipple NS, Poppe MM, Mendez JS, Cannon DM, Burt LM (2020). The use and efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in children and adults with pilocytic astrocytoma. J Neurooncol, 151(2), 93-101. (Read full article)
    10. Mendez JS, Ostrom QT, Gittleman H, Kruchko C, DeAngelis LM, Barnholtz-Sloan JS, Grommes C (2018). The elderly left behind – Changes in survival trends of primary central nervous system lymphoma over the past four decades. Neuro Oncol, 20(5), 687-694.
    11. Sneed PK, Mendez J, Vemer-van den Hoek JG, Seymour ZA, Ma L, Molinaro AM, Fogh SE, Nakamura JL, McDermott MW (2015). Adverse radiation effect after stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases: incidence, time course, and risk factors. J Neurosurg, 123(2), 373-86. (Read full article)

    Review

    1. Kropp S, Mendez JS (2024). Advancements in Targeted Molecular Therapy for Low-Grade Gliomas: Challenging the Treatment Paradigm. [Review]. Practical Neurology, 23(3), 56-59.
    2. Azab MA, Cole K, Earl E, Cutler C, Mendez J, Karsy M (2023). Medical Management of Meningiomas. [Review]. Neurosurg Clin N Am, 34(3), 319-333. (Read full article)