Dr. Wendel was born and raised in the Stowe Township area, where she graduated from Montour High School. In 1981, she received a degree in Music Education. She then attended Cleveland State University where she studied science, and then in 1986 she graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Soon after she entered into practice with her father, Dr. Russell Wendel, who unfortunately dies months later.

In 1991 she received the Small Business Administration (SBA) "Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award." For the year 2000, she was the president of the Western Pennsylvania Optometic Society. She is currently the Vice-Chairman of the board of Vision Benefits of America, and a member of Beta Sigma Kappa, an international honor society for optometrists. Dr. Wendel is also a certified affiliate in corneal refractive care, a member of the advisory board at Ohio Valley Hospital Cataract and Eye Surgery Center, and she also volunteers her time in the Applications Task Force committee of the Pennsylvanian Optometic Association.

Her most rewarding job, however, is being a mother to her son Ray, who was born on March 19, 1996.