Sam Farres, M.D.

Sam Farres, M.D., is a board-certified, fellowship-trained vascular surgeon in the Department of Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. He serves as the division chair for Vascular Surgery and associate program director of the General Surgery Residency Program. He has been named Faculty Teacher of the Year multiple times.

Dr. Farres specializes in evaluating and treating thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). TOS is a group of conditions that places pressure on blood vessels or nerves in the area between the neck and shoulder. As a renowned expert, he receives many regional and national referrals and has performed a high volume of procedures to improve neurogenic, venous and arterial TOS.

He often cares for college athletes and people who work in professions that require repetitive motions, as these individuals experience unique challenges related to TOS. He focuses on helping people return safely and confidently to the demands of their sport or career, creating personalized treatment plans based on their goals. Beyond his expertise in TOS, Dr. Farres is also known for treating abdominal aortic aneurysms, limb ischemia, median arcuate ligament syndrome and nutcracker syndrome.

Dr. Farres studies the success of various TOS therapies and identifies ways to improve the patient experience throughout diagnosis, treatment and recovery. His research also extends to mesenchymal stem cell therapies for vascular disease and innovative vascular surgery techniques. He has received the Mayo Clinic in Florida Department of Surgery Research and Innovation award for his pioneering work on dialysis access that bridged open surgery and endovascular technology.

An advocate for education, safety and excellence in vascular care, Dr. Farres serves on numerous committees at Mayo Clinic and the American Board of Surgery. He is also a member of several professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, and the Society for Vascular Surgery.

Dr. Farres earned his medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University in Syria. He pursued general surgery residency training at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Columbia University and the Medical College of Georgia. He then completed specialized fellowships at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

"My interest in medicine began early, but it was the mentors I met in medical school — particularly in surgery — who truly shaped my path," says Dr. Farres. "Recognizing the significant need for subspecialty vascular care in the United States, I was drawn to a field where I could help advance care and make a meaningful impact."

Staying true to his mission, Dr. Farres has been named one of America's Leading Doctors in Vascular Surgery by Newsweek magazine. He has also been recognized for his compassionate care and wide-reaching mentorship as a Gold Humanism Honor Society inductee.

Outside of the office, Dr. Farres spends quality time with his wife and son. He enjoys exploring new restaurants in the area and cheering on the Jacksonville Jaguars during football season.