It was a milestone case, and a family one too.

Dr. Joseph Wasselle Sr. and Dr. Joseph Wasselle Jr., both vascular surgeons at Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital in Florida, recently worked side by side during a groundbreaking procedure just months after the younger doctor joined the hospital staff.

During the procedure, Dr. Wasselle Jr., 34, was performing an endovascular aneurysm repair, or EVAR, when his father stopped by to observe. Dr. Wasselle Sr. ultimately scrubbed in to assist and learn more about the technique firsthand.

According to the hospital, Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital became the first facility within the Orlando Health system to perform an EVAR procedure inside a cardiac catheterization lab instead of a traditional operating room.

The minimally invasive technique uses small needle punctures instead of larger surgical incisions, which can help reduce pain and speed up recovery for patients.

Dr. Wasselle Jr. told PEOPLE that sharing the moment with his 65-year-old father made the experience especially meaningful.

“Throughout your career as a surgeon, you are always being watched,” he said. “It begins in training, showing your mentors and teachers that you have the technical skills required as a surgeon. It continues with your colleagues, sharing interesting findings or lending a helping hand in a difficult case. We are watched by patients and families alike in how we care for others.

“But none of those moments are quite as fulfilling as being able to show your dad what you have become, to work on cases together and to support each other,” he added.

He said growing up with a father dedicated to helping others helped shape his own decision to go into medicine.

“I was very lucky to see firsthand the dedication to his work as a surgeon as I grew up, and although that meant occasional long nights and weekends at the hospital or staying behind during hurricanes while the family evacuated, he always loved what he did,” Dr. Wasselle Jr. said.

“I knew early on that I wanted to be a doctor and I think seeing his dedication to the profession helped solidify my decision,” he added.

He also said having a parent who understood medical school and training was “incredibly helpful.”

“I remember calling [my dad] on tough days in training to talk about cases, what he would have done and similar things he’s seen in practice throughout the years,” Dr. Wasselle Jr. said.

Dr. Wasselle Sr. told PEOPLE he was proud to perform the procedure alongside his son.

“Walking in and seeing [my son’s] confidence and skills gave me a tremendous sense of pride, but also happiness at [the] realization that Joe has begun the next phase in his career where he will help so many people in his lifetime,” he said.

“I am so proud of Joe, my son, my colleague,” he added.

Dr. Wasselle Sr. said they also attended the same medical school at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

“He was mentored by some of the same physicians that trained me … decades earlier … I received many reports from Joe’s professors stating that Joe was a great doctor with exceptional surgical skills,” Dr. Wasselle Sr. said. “I was ecstatic when Joe said that he wanted to work together.”

“I am most proud of him as a husband and father,” Dr. Wasselle Sr. said.

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