Dr. Bret Alan Cardwell

Dr. Bret Alan Cardwell, MD, is a Staff Physician in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Cardwell held a number of roles at Mayo Clinic Health Systems, Minnesota, US, including General Surgeon, Acute Care Surgeon and a number of leadership roles. Dr. Cardwell takes pride in ensuring each of his patients is treated with the utmost care and respect.

Dr. Cardwell first trained as a veterinarian due to his family’s long history of involvement in agriculture in the US. Realizing he had a talent and passion for surgery, he continued his education to become a physician and surgeon at the University of Minnesota Medical School and Hennepin County Medical Center, the largest Level 1 trauma center in Minnesota.​

Dr. Cardwell is married with two children and two grandchildren and lives in Abu Dhabi with his wife of thirty-six years. He enjoys cycling, reading, movies, shooting sports, travel and experiencing new and interesting cuisines.

PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY

• 1990 - 1994: UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, US. Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• 1994 - 2000: HENNEPIN COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, US. Resident, Surgery

WORK EXPERIENCES

• 2006 - 2015: MAYO CLINIC HEALTH SYSTEM, MANKATO, MINNESOTA, US. Consultant, General Surgery
• 2001 - 2005: ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL, SHAKOPEE, MINNESOTA, US. Clinical Director, Surgery
• 2000 - 2010: QUEEN OF PEACE HOSPITAL, NEW PRAGUE, MINNESOTA, US. Surgeon & Chairman, Surgery Department; Chairman, Peer Review Committee; Chairman, Clinical Quality Committee, Trauma Surgeon & Lead; Clinical Director, Surgery; and Administrative Director, Anesthesia
• 2000 - 2006: SURGICAL SPECIALTIES LTD, PRIVATE SURGICAL PRACTICE, CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA, US. Surgeon, Part Owner

Achievements & Career Highlights

• Recipient of several awards recognizing excellent patient care
• Recipient, Gold Service Excellence Award, Mayo Clinic Health System, 2012
• Developed and led the Physician Lead Ventilator Care Program, Queen of Peace Hospital, New Prague, Minnesota US, 2007 to 2011
• Participated in Surgeons as Leaders: From Operating Room to Boardroom, American College of Surgeons, 2009
• Lead Physician, Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, Mayo Clinic Health System​