Father and Son Surgeons Share Historic First at Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital

Melbourne, Fl – (June 1, 2026) – A groundbreaking medical milestone at Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital is also a deeply personal one, as a father and son surgical team shared a historic “first” inside the hospital’s newly opened cardiac catheterization lab.

Dr. Wasselle, Sr., a vascular surgeon who has served the community for more than 20 years, recently stood just feet away as his son, Dr. Wasselle, Jr., performed the first Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) procedure ever conducted in an Orlando Health Cath Lab.

The minimally invasive procedure represents a significant advancement in vascular care within the health system—offering patients faster recovery times and expanded treatment options.

For the Wasselle family, however, the moment meant even more.

“From a young age, I always knew I wanted to be a surgeon,” said Dr. Wasselle, Jr. “I grew up watching my dad and the way he cared for patients. To now be here, working alongside him—it’s incredibly meaningful.”

Dr. Wasselle, Jr. joined Orlando Health last fall and has spent the past several months building his vascular surgery practice—while also contributing to new procedural capabilities made possible by the hospital’s recently opened Cath Lab.

Dr. Wasselle, Sr., who watched his son lead the procedure, felt proud and humbled by the experience.

“For decades, I’ve dedicated my career to this hospital and to my patients,” said Dr. Wasselle, Sr. “But seeing your son step into that same role—and excel—is something you can’t put into words. It’s one of the proudest moments of my life.”

In a role reversal that reflects the rapid evolution of medicine, Dr. Wasselle, Sr. also noted that he found himself learning from his son during the procedure.

“Technology and techniques are always advancing,” he said. “In that moment, I wasn’t just his father—I was also learning from him. It’s incredible to see the next generation take things even further.”

The procedure was performed in Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital’s new Cath Lab, which opened just weeks prior and is already expanding access to advanced cardiovascular and vascular treatments in the region.

“Opening this Cath Lab has been a major priority for our team, and seeing it support a procedure like this so soon after opening is incredibly rewarding,” said Wendy Noble, Cath Lab manager at Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital. “This milestone reflects not only advanced technology, but the collaboration, preparation and dedication of our physicians and staff to bring cutting-edge vascular care to our community.”

Since opening on January 27, the new Cath Lab has performed more than 350 cases, including three new procedures made possible by the precision of the new technology. These include an EVAR completed by Dr. Wasselle, Jr., as well as a Carotid Angiogram and a Patient Foramen Ovale, by another Orlando Health physician.

The patient in this milestone procedure and personal family moment had a successful EVAR surgery, which involves placing stents in the aorta to repair abdominal aneurysms. Performing the procedure percutaneously in the Cath Lab eliminates the need for surgical intervention, offering patients reduced recovery time, less discomfort, and expanded access to advanced vascular care.

Together, father and son represent a powerful example of mentorship, legacy and innovation in medicine.

“As a father, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing your child find their purpose,” said Dr. Wasselle, Sr. “And to be able to witness it up close, in the same place where I’ve spent my career—that makes it even more special.”

About Orlando Health

Orlando Health is a private not-for-profit, integrated academic healthcare system with $14 billion of assets under management, that serves the southeastern United States – including Florida and Alabama – and Puerto Rico. With corporate offices in Orlando, Florida the system provides a complete continuum of care across a network of medical centers and institutes, community and specialty hospitals, physician practices, urgent care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare, and long-term and behavioral health care services. Founded more than 100 years ago, Orlando Health’s mission is to improve the health and the quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve. The system provided nearly $1.7 billion in community impact in the form of community benefit programs and services, Medicare shortfalls, bad debt, community-building activities and capital investments in FY 23, the most recent period for which the information is available. For more information, visit orlandohealth.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.