Leonard Wudel, MD
Primary Location
West Valley Medical Building
- Appointment:
- 440.333.8600
- Desk:
- 440.333.8600
- Fax:
- 440.333.5015
Additional Locations
Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Fairview Hospital
18101 Lorain Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44111
Directions
- Appointment:
- 440.333.8600
- Desk:
- 440.333.8600
- Fax:
- 440.333.5015
Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
MetroHealth Medical Center (Hamann Bldg CT Surg)
2500 MetroHealth Drive
Cleveland, OH 44109
Directions
- Appointment:
- 216.778.4304
- Desk:
- 216.778.4304
- Fax:
- 216.778.3062
Treatment & Services
- Adult Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Bronchial Biopsy
- Bronchoscopy
- Bronchus Surgery
- Chest Surgery
- Claggetts Window
- Diaphragm Surgery
- Diverticulectomy
- Epigastric Hernia Repair
- Esophageal Surgery
- Esophagectomy
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
- Esophagus Endoscopy
- First Rib Resection
- Heller Myotomy
- Lobectomy, VATS Lobectomy
- Lung Lesion Surgery
- Lung Surgery
- Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
- Mediastinal Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgeries
- Nodulectomy
- Pectus Carinatum Repair / Reconstruction
- Pericardial Window
- Pericardiectomy
- Pericardiocentesis
- Pericardium Surgery
- Pleurectomy
- Pneumonectomy
- Reoperation Surgery
- Thoracentesis
- Thoracic Surgery Department
- Thoracoscopic Surgery
- Thymus Gland Surgery
- Tracheal Resection
- Tracheostomy
- Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)
- Wedge Resection
Specialty in Diseases & Conditions
- Achalasia
- Barrett's Esophagus
- Collapsed Lung
- Collis Nissen/Nissen
- Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Epiphrenic Diverticulum
- Esophageal Cancer
- Esophageal Perforation
- Hiatal Hernia
- Lung Abscess
- Lung Cancer
- Mediastinal Tumor
- Mesothelioma
- Pectus Excavatum
- Pericardial Effusion
- Pleural Effusion
- Pneumothorax
- Thymoma
- Tracheal Stenosis
- Tracheoesophageal Fistula
- Tracheomalacia
- Zenker's Diverticulum
Insurance
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View All PlansAbout Leonard Wudel, MD
Leonard Wudel, MD is the Western Regional Director for the Section of Thoracic Surgery. He is a Staff Thoracic Surgeon in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at The Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic. He sees patients at Fairview Hospital and MetroHealth Medical Center.
Specialty Interests: Robotic thoracic surgery, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, mediastinal mass/tumor, diaphragm hernia, pleural effusions, pectus excavatum/carinatum, achalasia, paraesophageal hernia, chest wall tumors/trauma
Experience: Dr. Wudel has been in practice as a thoracic surgical oncologist for more than 15 years at some of the leading medical institutions in the United States. He is recognized as one of the one of the top five robotic surgeons in the nation, having performed more than 1,500 robotic-assisted operations since 2011. He specializes in minimally invasive thoracic oncology, primarily for patients with lung cancer. In total he has performed more than 7,000 surgeries, including minimally invasive robotic-assisted and video-assisted thoracoscopy and conventional open procedures.
Dr. Wudel is board certified in and thoracic surgery.
Success Rate: To learn about patient outcomes for specific conditions and procedures at Cleveland Clinic, go to: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/about-heart-vascular-institute/treatment-outcomes.aspx
Education: Dr. Wudel is a graduate of East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, Tenn. He served his internship and residency in internal medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, followed by an internship and residency in surgery there with election as chief resident in his final year. His training at Vanderbilt included a two-year fellowship in hepatobiliary and liver transplant surgery. Following his experience at Vanderbilt, Dr. Wudel spent two years as a thoracic surgery resident at University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Prior to joining the Cleveland Clinic medical staff in 2021, Dr Wudel was director of thoracic surgical oncology and an associate professor of surgery at Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston Salem, N.C.
Research and Publications: Dr. Wudel has published scientific papers on basic and clinical research in a range of thoracic surgery topics, including new technologies, robotic-assisted surgery techniques and patient outcomes.
About Dr. Wudel: “I believe compassionate care, trust and surgical excellence are not mutually exclusive. I am committed to the improvement of not only outcomes in thoracic surgical oncology but also the physician – patient relationship and the entire patient experience.”
Leisure Activities: Dr. Wudel’s hobbies include automobiles, computers, cooking and music.
Education & Professional Highlights
Appointed
2021
Education & Fellowships
Fellowship - University of Michigan Medical Center
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Ann Arbor,
MI United States
2006
Fellowship - Vanderbilt Univ Medical Ctr
General Surgery
Nashville,
TN United States
2004
Residency - Vanderbilt Univ Medical Ctr
Internal Medicine
Nashville,
TN United States
1997
Medical Education - East Tennessee State University-James H. Quillen College of Medicine
Johnson City,
TN United States
1994
Undergraduate - The University of Tennessee Medical Center
Biology
Knoxville,
TN United States
1990
Certifications
- Thoracic Surgery - Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery
Specialty Interests
Robotic thoracic surgery, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, mediastinal mass/tumor, diaphragm hernia, pleural effusions, pectus excavatum/carinatum, achalasia, paraesophageal hernia, chest wall tumors/trauma
Awards & Honors
- 2015-present Top Doctor Award
- 2015 Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
- 2011, 2012 People’s Choice Award, Healthgrades
- 2011 Compassionate Physician Award, Healthgrades
- 2011 Star Award, St. Thomas Hospital, Nashville
Research & Publications
See publications for Leonard Wudel, MD.
(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 may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.
To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.
As of 4/17/2024, Dr. Wudel has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below. 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.
74 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.
| Overall | Star Ratings | |
|---|---|---|
| Explains | 4.9 | |
| Listens | 4.8 | |
| Courtesy, Respect & Concern | 4.9 | |
| Patient Rating of Doctor | 4.9 |
16 Patient Comments
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Reviewed on Oct 18, 2024
Doctor Waddell is a true professional who made all thr right decisions about my care for pneumonia from the the hospitsl stay until final clearance. Im sure his confidence in his decisions and in myself was a big factor inmy complete recovery.
Reviewed on Sep 20, 2024
Dr. Wudel spent a lot of time with us during our visit and was incredibly kind and informative.
Reviewed on Sep 11, 2024
I was very positively impressed with Dr. Wudel, and very happy with our discussion about my condition.
Reviewed on Aug 9, 2024
Dr Wudell is the ultimate professional. Kind, informative and very personable.
Reviewed on Jul 19, 2024
Dr. Wudel and his office staff did everything to help navigate the process
Reviewed on Jul 19, 2024
I did not feel rushed, or hurried to make a decision. Dr. Wudel knew my case specifics and spoke clearly and explained my options thoroughly.
Reviewed on Jul 12, 2024
Dr Wudel and his staff are top notch. I could not ask for anything more
Reviewed on Jul 12, 2024
Dr Wudel is that rare combination of surgeon and therapist. I joke, but his skills are great and he listens to questions and my fears and took the time to answer.
Reviewed on Jun 28, 2024
Dr & staff are excellent professionals who provide an excellent experience.
Reviewed on Apr 26, 2024
Dr Wudel is very thorough and explained the options and spent time with us, not rushing at all
Reviewed on Apr 24, 2024
The doctor made me feel very much at ease
Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024
Dr Wudel is an asset to the hospital and the City. I can't say enough how wonderful he is!
Reviewed on Dec 20, 2023
Dr. Wudel was very personable and truly seemed to care about me and my issues. One of the nicest doctors I have ever dealt with.
Reviewed on Dec 15, 2023
Dr. Wudel was superior with his presentation. He gave us both medical terms and layman's terms.
Reviewed on Dec 15, 2023
Dr. Ali took charge and Dr. Wudel and Dr. Del Rio coordinated with each other with care and understanding of the patient needs. Excellent care was afforded of me due to their due diligence.
Reviewed on Nov 10, 2023
Dr. Wudel is a true perfectionist as well as his staff.