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Gretchen Wells, MD

Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Adults
Languages
- English
About Gretchen Wells
Biography
Dr. Wells is a highly respected general cardiologist and national academic leader in clinical cardiology. A native of Birmingham, AL, she came to UAB in September 2021 as a Professor of Medicine. She earned both her PhD and medical degree from The University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1989 and 1994. Afterwards, Dr. Wells completed both an internal medicine residency (1997) and a fellowship in cardiovascular diseases (2000) at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
She has served in numerous leadership roles including Director of Inpatient Cardiology and Associate Dean for Admissions at Wake Forest, Director of the Women’s Heart Health program at the University of Kentucky Gill Heart & Vascular Institute where she was the inaugural Thomas Whayne Endowed Professor of Women’s Heart Health and within the American College of Cardiology. She is a co-investigator in the NHLBI funded Women’s Health Initiative and has led a number of clinical trials. Dr. Wells has received numerous awards and recognitions including Best Doctors in America (2009 – current) and the American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology Women in Cardiology Mentoring Award (2020).
Faculty Appointment
Professor
Research Interests
Dr. Wells' research interests focus on psychological attributes contributing to cardiovascular disease, novel approaches to coronary microvascular disease, and heart failure in women.
Pottinger TD, Khan SS, Zheng Y, Zhang W, Tindle HA, Allison M, Wells G, Shadyab AH, Nassir R, Martin LW, Manson JE, Lloyd-Jones DM, Greenland P, Baccarelli AA, Whitsel EA, Hou L Association of cardiovascular health and epigenetic age acceleration. Clin Epigenetics. 2021 Feb 25;13(1):42. doi: 10.1186/s13148-021-01028-2.
Taylor E, Sparks D, Rukavina M, Biddle M, Wells G. Nurse led positive psychology intervention is feasible in patients with heart failure. J Cardiovasc Nursing 2020; 36:131-135.
Sugahara M, Kagiyama N, Hasselberg NE, Blauwet LA, Briller J, Cooper L, Fett JD, Hsich E, Wells G, McNamara D, Gorcsan J for the IPAC Investigators. Global left ventricular strain at presentation is associated with subsequent recovery in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2019; 32:1565-73.
View Academic Profile
Locations
- Cardiology Clinic at The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital
- 2000 6th Avenue South, Floor 4, Birmingham, AL 35233
- Get Directions
- phone: 205-996-4000
Expertise
Education
- Fellowship: Wake Forest Baptist Health, 2000
- Residency: Wake Forest Baptist Health, 1997
- Internship: Wake Forest Baptist Health, 1995
- Medical School: University of Alabama School of Medicine, 1994
Board Certifications
- Adult Comprehensive Echocardiography: National Board of Echocardiography
- Cardiovascular Disease: American Board of Internal Medicine, 2000
Ratings & Reviews
5 of 5 stars
39 ratings, 14 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 1/27/2026
Dr Wells is a very caring and concerned about my health.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/27/2026
The doctor was excellent. Spent lots of time with me explaining issues. Highly recommend
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/6/2026
Dr. Wells is wonderful. She takes time and considers the entire patient
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/16/2025
Dr. Wells was kind and compassionate and provided a pleasant first time experience. She was engaged and thorough in her approach and I greatly appreciate it!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/4/2025
The staff was professional. The doctor was patient and spent a lot of time with me.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/21/2025
Very prompt caring attention.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/7/2025
Love the expertise of my provider, time spent with me, and explanation
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/17/2025
Everyone is so professional and kind!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/31/2025
Dr Gretchen Wells makes the trek to TKC worthwhile.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/8/2025
Overall good experience.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/24/2025
All excellent!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/9/2025
Addresses concerns and clearly answers any questions. Very caring
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/29/2025
The resident was top-notch. He was very thorough and made me confident in his care
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/15/2025
Dr Wells and her staff are the very best team of doctors I have ever encountered! She is so brilliant and cares so deeply. I am humbled to have someone so talented and dedicated caring for me.