Nicole Mendez has served as Executive Director of the Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation (MNITF) since 1995. MNITF is a public nonprofit dedicated to advancing the science and practice of organ transplantation and therapies for end-stage organ disease through research, education, and innovation. The organization was founded by Nicole’s father and uncle, Dr. Rafael Mendez and Dr. Robert Mendez, whose groundbreaking work laid the foundation for MNITF’s enduring mission.
Fourteen years ago, Nicole launched MNITF’s innovative Edutainment initiative, producing film and television projects designed to both educate and engage audiences on critical transplant-related issues. In 2022, she partnered with producer Suzanne DeLaurentiis to expand this vision, co-writing and co-producing two award-winning films: The Christmas Chain (2024) and A Heart Full of Hope (2025), starring Michael Paré and Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts. Both films have garnered millions of views across streaming platforms and received multiple honors on the film festival circuit.
She is proud to launch the new MNITF quarterly magazine this March.
Nicole, your family’s legacy in transplantation is remarkable. How has growing up with that legacy influenced your vision and leadership of the Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation over the years?
Growing up, I watched my father and uncle work tirelessly – evenings and weekends filled with phone calls, strategizing about advancing transplantation. To me, they were just my dad and uncle, but working at MNITF opened my eyes to their profound impact on the field.
All those conversations I overheard gave me a deep understanding of their vision, and now I’m honored to carry that mission forward. Their legacy isn’t just about what they accomplished – it’s about the passion and dedication they showed every single day. That’s what drives my leadership today.
MNITF has been a pioneer in merging education with entertainment through your Edutainment initiative. What inspired you to bring storytelling into the world of medical advocacy, and how has it shaped public awareness of organ donation?
My background as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist taught me the power of addressing the psychosocial side of chronic illness. I realized that merging education with entertainment creates a welcoming, less stressful way to share vital healthcare information with a much broader audience.
Storytelling has been transformative – it humanizes organ donation and helps people see themselves in these narratives. When people hear real stories about living kidney donation, they discover possibilities they never knew existed, like how they could help a loved one even if they’re not a match. For those experiencing kidney disease, it’s about making complex medical information accessible and inspiring action through connection.
Your recent collaborations with producer Suzanne DeLaurentiis on The Christmas Chain and A Heart Full of Hope have reached millions. What do you think resonated most with audiences about these films, and what are you most proud of creatively?
Working with Suzanne DeLaurentiis has been incredible – her expertise in what audiences love has been key to our success. Together, we’ve found that sweet spot between delivering important medical information and creating heartwarming, entertaining stories.
I think what resonates most is the hope, family, and community at the heart of these films – and honestly, who doesn’t love a good Christmas story? What I’m most proud of is knowing these films can actually save and improve lives. When entertainment meets purpose like this, it creates something truly special that can reach millions and make a real difference.
You’ve worked with prominent figures like Eric Roberts, who also graces the cover of MNITF’s upcoming magazine. What drew you to feature him, and how does his story or advocacy align with MNITF’s mission?
I first met the incredibly talented Eric Roberts at our Linked by Love Premiere and Gala, and he’s been a wonderful supporter ever since – appearing in The Christmas Chain, attending our events, and recently filming a PSA about organ donation for us.
What makes Eric so special is his authenticity and resilience. Having overcome his own struggles with addiction, he embodies the message that people can overcome challenges and that there’s hope for everyone. That spirit aligns perfectly with MNITF’s mission of empowerment, hope, and healing. We’re truly honored to feature him on our upcoming magazine cover and deeply grateful for all he’s done to support our cause and help others.
The new MNITF Magazine debuts in March. What can readers expect from this quarterly publication, and how do you see it continuing the Foundation’s mission in a fresh way
We’re thrilled to launch the magazine with three issues each year! The March debut is perfectly timed – focusing on kidney disease awareness and organ donation during Kidney Disease Month and leading into Donate Life Month in April.
Our goal is to broaden our reach with content about healthy living, kidney disease prevention, transplantation, and organ donation – all presented in an entertaining, engaging way. We want readers to enjoy the experience while learning vital information. Plus, we hope it drives people to mnitf.org to explore our “edutainment” series and films, and maybe even support our mission. It’s another creative way to make a difference!
As someone who bridges science, healthcare, and media, how do you ensure your projects balance accuracy with emotional storytelling that truly engages viewers?
I take this balance seriously by grounding our work in research. For Fixing Paco and Linked by Love, we conducted focus group studies to ensure the scripts were relatable, culturally sensitive, and improved healthcare understanding. We also did post-studies to measure effectiveness.
This research-driven approach is something we plan to continue because it’s crucial to demonstrate to the medical community that entertainment can be a powerful tool for delivering accurate healthcare information. When you combine emotional storytelling with scientific rigor, you create content that not only engages hearts but also earns the trust of healthcare professionals. It’s about proving that “edutainment” really works!
Looking ahead, how do you envision MNITF evolving—both as a healthcare foundation and a creator of socially conscious media that inspires compassion and action?
MNITF will continue our dual mission: funding research grants that advance transplantation science and creating socially conscious media that inspires both compassion and action.
We want to keep producing content that moves people to consider organ donation while also empowering them to be proactive about their own health. It’s about bridging innovation in research with connection in people’s hearts. When science meets storytelling, we can create lasting change—both in advancing medical breakthroughs and in building a culture of giving and healthy living. That’s the future we’re building!
