Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Adult
Languages
- English
Gender
MaleAbout James Wudel
Biography
James H. Wudel, MD FACC, graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in Biology while also competing in varsity baseball. He obtained his Medical Degree from Emory University Medical School, and completed General Surgery residency at Vanderbilt University Hospitals. His training included two years of research at Vanderbilt and Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia. He then completed his Cardiothoracic Surgery residency at the University of California, San Francisco, and a Chief Resident position at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He is certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology.
Dr. Wudel came to the Cleveland Clinic Florida after practicing throughout Nebraska. His prior appointments include being a founding member of the Nebraska Heart Hospital while serving patients across the upper midwest, and also prior National Co-Director of the Structural Heart and Cardiac Surgery Standards Committee for its parent organization. He currently is the Site Director for the Heart, Vascular, and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital.
Dr. Wudel’s academic interest have included primary authorship of articles in the foremost cardiac surgery journals and guest reviewer for several scientific publications. He has been principal investigator for over twenty cardiac surgery trials and previously advised industry on evolving cardiovascular therapies. He has been a clinical proctor to surgeons on new cardiac surgery techniques.
Away from work, Dr. Wudel enjoys the outdoors, swimming, and overall fitness activities. His wife is a native of Florida and they enjoy hosting family and exploring throughout the area.
Dr. Wudel is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon focusing on the latest advances in care to treat adult patients. His areas of interest include multi-arterial coronary bypass grafting, the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation, and the surgical treatment of valvular heart disease including transcatheter therapies.
Locations
- Indian River Hospital Rosner Family Health and Wellness Center
- 3450 11th Court, Vero Beach, FL 32960
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Education & Board Certifications
Education
- Residency: University of California-San Francisco, 1996
- Residency: Vanderbilt University College of Medicine, 1994
- Internship: Vanderbilt University College of Medicine, 1988
- Medical Education: Emory University School of Medicine, 1987
- Undergraduate: University of South Dakota, 1983
Board Certifications
- Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery: American Board of Thoracic Surgery, 1997
Professional Memberships
Research & Publications
See publications for this provider. (Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)
Industry Relationships
Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists collaborate with industry to advance medical breakthroughs. These partnerships help commercialize discoveries for public benefit while maintaining scientific integrity. To ensure transparency and minimize potential bias, Cleveland Clinic reviews these relationships and publicly discloses when physicians/scientists receive significant compensation for consulting, serve in fiduciary roles, receive royalties, or hold equity interests related to their work. We manage potential conflicts through approval processes, annual reporting, and targeted management plans.
As of 2026-07-10, Dr. Wudel has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below.
Consulting and/or Speaking. Dr. Wudel receives fees of $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) as a paid consultant, speaker or as a member of an advisory committee for the following companies:
- AtriCure, Inc.
Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.
* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.
Insurances Accepted
Video
Ratings & Reviews
4.9 out of 5
142 ratings, 23 reviewsThe Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2026
Dr. Wudel took his time with us, answered all our questions, we liked him very much.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2026
Dr Wudel was very knowledgeable, friendly, listened well, and did a great job of explaining everything!!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2026
I was very pleased with no waiting. Thank you Dr. Wudel's office staff : extremely kind and welcoming.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2026
Dr. Wudel is excellent and I appreciate his support for my health ! Loves Rock n Roll too !
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2026
Dr Wudal''s staff was excellent, compassionate and expert in all areas
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2026
One of my best visits ever Dr. Wudel and his staff were amazing nursing in SICU and _____ care were excellent.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2026
Dr. Wudell is excellent.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2026
Dr. Wudel and his staff are amazing... This was our second experience in working with them and we highly recommend! Thank you for touching our hearts in more ways than one!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2026
Doctor, very professional and thorough answer all questions. The scheduling ladies very nice and answered all my questions. Very good experience. I thanked them very much.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2026
Dr. Wudel was professional, curious and knowledgeable. He spent an immense amount of time explaining procedure. The nurses in the ICU are angels!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2026
Dr Wudel is very kind, knowledgeable and respectful.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2026
This was the best experience I have ever had at a doctor appointment and am telling everyone what a great medical team Cleveland Clinic has arranged for me.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2026
I was very impressed with the care and time and explanations the doctor took with me
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2026
Without a doubt, I would recommend him to anyone that needs cardiac care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2026
The doctors are great
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2026
I was extremely happy with my interaction with Dr Wudel. He answered all my questions thoroughly.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2026
Excellent staff and doctor
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/15/2025
All hospital staff members were excellent. My heart surgeon, Dr. James Wudel, is wonderful. He saved my life, and I will be eternally grateful for it.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/17/2025
Dr Wudal is fantastic
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/17/2025
Dr Wudel's staff and the entire are absolutley the greatest group of professionals I have ever dealt with in the medical industry.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/3/2025
It's been a long time that I have actually had a doctor who listens and takes the time to explain things.Dr Wudel should be the Example for all aspiring md's.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/13/2025
Dr Wudel gave me the best medical care and concern that I have ever experienced
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/8/2025
Dr Wudel was very helpful and explained the procedure and recovery with care and easily understandable.