I am a board-certified vascular surgeon at Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute. I care for patients with carotid artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, dialysis access needs, abdominal aortic aneurysms, thoracic outlet syndrome, varicose veins and venous insufficiency and other vascular diseases and concerns.

I come from a family of physicians. My great-grandfather and grandfather were doctors and my father is a surgeon serving the South Florida community today. While I originally pursued a career in computer science, I was drawn to medicine after spending some time in a hospital when a friend was sick. I knew then that I wanted to become a surgeon, helping people to heal and live their life to their fullest potential.

I believe that the foundation to patient care should still be the relationship between doctors and their patients. I enjoy getting to know my patients and treating them over the long term. This way, I can address their immediate health challenges, and then continue to help them maintain their health and wellbeing.

In addition to patient care, I am also actively involved in teaching the next generation of vascular surgeons. I am a clinical assistant professor at Florida International University and look forward to teaching surgical residents at Memorial.

When I'm not working, I like to run, play guitar and spend time with my family.

Hospital Affiliations

• Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital
• Memorial Hospital Miramar
• Memorial Hospital Pembroke
• Memorial Hospital West
• Memorial Regional Hospital

Gender

• Male

Languages

• Spanish

• Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR)

Education

Duke University School Of Medicine, 2006

Internships

University Of North Carolina Hospitals, 2007, Surgery

Residency

University Of North Carolina Hospitals, 2011, Surgery

Fellowships

Duke University Hospital, 2013, Vascular Surgery

Certifications

American Board of Surgery-Surgery
American Board of Surgery-Vascular Surgery

Research

Research is a cornerstone of my medical career. My research interests include exploring minimally invasive endovascular technologies and strategies to improve patient care.

Currently, I am a principal investigator on a dialysis access trial, which uses human acellular tissue as an alternative to plastic dialysis graphs with the goal of decreasing infection risk.

Past research projects include:

• Best Endovascular vs Best Surgical Therapy in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia (BEST-CLI).  Co-Investigator with RE Beasley, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, 2017-2018.
• CIVC: Cook IVC Filter Study. Cook, Inc, Sub-Investigator with RE Beasley, Primary Investigator, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, 2015.
• LUTONIX BTK Trial: a prospective, multicenter, single blind, randomized, controlled trial comparing the Lutonix drug coated balloon versus standard angioplasty for treatment of below-the-knee (BTK) arteries. Sub-Investigator with RE Beasley, Primary Investigator, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, 2015.

Professional Organizations

• Florida Vascular Society
• Academic Forum of the Executive Committee
• American College of Surgeons
• Society of Vascular Surgery

Presentations

• Unger J. “Wound Care For The Vascular Surgeon: Review Of Currently Available Products and How They Affect The Biochemistry Of Wound Healing In Clinical Practice”, Florida Vascular Society 31st Annual Scientific Sessions. April 28, 2018.
• Unger J. “Endovascular versus Open Rescue Procedures after Failed Peripheral Interventions“, Florida Vascular Society 31st Annual Scientific Sessions, April 27, 2018.
• Ead J, Snyder R, Unger J. “Case Challenge: 70-Year Old Female Who Presented With a 3-Month Non-Healing Leg Wound”, Mr. Ead presented at Florida Vascular Society 31st Annual Scientific Sessions, April 26, 2018.
• Unger J. “A Surgical Perspective on the Hybrid Approach to Peripheral Artery Disease”, New Cardiovascular Horizons Miami, December 2, 2017.
• Unger J. “Surgical Approach to AAA”, New Cardiovascular Horizons Miami, December 2, 2017.
• Unger J. “Does Spliced Arm Vein Bypass Have a Role in the “Endovascular Era”: A Younger Surgeon’s Experience”, Florida Vascular Society 30th Annual Scientific Sessions. May 6, 2017.
• Unger J. “Complex Topics in AV Access: Aneurysms and Their Treatment”, Florida Vascular Society 30th Annual Scientific Sessions. May 5, 2017.