Dr. Tavel is a lifelong native of Indianapolis, having received both college and medical degrees at Indiana University. After completing his undergraduate studies, he graduated summa cum laude and was elected to the honorary scholastic society of Phi Beta Kappa. Upon completion of his medical training, he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha for scholastic achievement in this field. His post-graduate specialized training included stints in Philadelphia and Salt Lake City. After serving in the U.S. Army Medical Corps for two years in Germany, he returned to Indianapolis to complete his training and to begin a medical practice.

Now retired, Dr. Tavel is a physician specialist in internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases. In addition to managing patients for many years, he previously held a teaching position (Clinical Professor) at Indiana University School of Medicine. In addition, he has presented numerous speeches and lectures to national audiences. His medical research includes over 125 publications, editorials and book reviews that have appeared in peer-reviewed national medical journals. He was formerly the director of the cardiac rehabilitation program at St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana, and consulting cardiologist for the Care Group, Inc., a division of St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

Dr. Tavel previously authored a book on cardiology that persisted through four editions over a period of approximately 20 years and has been a contributor to several other multi-authored textbooks. His civic activities include, among others, having been the past president of the local and state divisions of the American Heart Association.