POTSDAM -- Canton-Potsdam Hospital has added a new physician to its ranks.

Richard F. Wessel, Jr., board-certified cardiologist, began seeing patients March 24 in the CPH cardiology practice in the Helen Snell Cheel Medical Campus.

He practices general cardiology and has experience with nuclear cardiology.

Wessel will perform tests and work closely with cardiovascular surgeons.

Wessel's practice, according to CPH, will be evenly split between in- and out-patient care.

He received his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Va., and completed his internship and residency at Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, R.I. He completed a fellowship at the University of Connecticut Department of Cardiology, Farmington, Conn.

Wessel is certified by the American Board of Cardiology, the American Board of Internal Medicine, and the National Board of Medical Examiners.

He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and a member of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, American College of Physicians, American Society of Echocardiography and the North Carolina Medical Society. He comes to Potsdam from practice with the Eastern Carolina Cardiovascular group in Elizabeth City, N.C.