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
- Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 1997
- 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 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 2024-02-15, Dr. Wudel has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing.
In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.
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
138 ratings, 9 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 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 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 9/17/2025
Dr Wudal is fantastic
- 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.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2025
De. Wudel reviewed my test results, provided me with detailed information on my conditions, and the options for my treatment. He showed interest in my overall medical issues and my lifestyle. Something that often is rare with physicians today. I feel very confident with him providing and overseeing my care. In my book, he is an exceptional medical professional. It is evident that he takes great interest in his patients.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/10/2025
Very pleased and very appreciative of the professionalism of Dr. James Wudel
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/10/2025
I have tremendous confidence in Dr. Wudel's diagnosis of my condition.