Donald Hammer, MD
Primary Location
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
- Appointment:
- 216.444.6697
- Desk:
- 216.444.5683
- Fax:
- 216.445.6167
Treatment & Services
- Aorta Center
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Cardiovascular Medicine Department
- Clinical Cardiology Section
- General Cardiology
- Perioperative Cardiac Management
Insurance
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View All PlansAbout Donald Hammer, MD
Dr. Donald Hammer is Director of Cardiology Surgical Services and a staff cardiologist in the Section of Clinical Cardiology, the Robert and Suzanne Tomsich Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, at the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute. He is board certified in internal medicine and cardiology. Dr. Hammer's specialty interests are ischemic heart disease and perioperative cardiac management.
Dr. Hammer graduated summa cum laude from Case Western Reserve University (Phi Beta Kappa) with an undergraduate degree in chemistry. He received his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine, in Columbus, Ohio, where he was inducted in the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He completed his clinical internship and residency in internal medicine at The Ohio State University Hospitals, where he went on to receive a fellowship in cardiology.
Dr. Hammer served 10 years in the United States Naval Corps and retired as a Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Naval Medical Corps. He has had multiple academic appointments, which include Clinical Instructor in Internal Medicine at The Ohio State University Hospitals; Director of Education, Internal Medicine at the Naval Regional Medical Center at Camp Pendleton, CA; Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine and Associate Medical Director of the Cardiac Transplantation Program at The Ohio State University Hospitals; Education Coordinator for Cardiology at Wright State University in Dayton, OH, where he was also Director of the Cardiology Fellowship Training Program; Director of the Echocardiography Laboratory and Chairman of the Cardiology Research Panel at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, among others. In 1998, Dr. Hammer was appointed to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation as Director of Cardiology Surgical Services.
Dr. Hammer has long been involved in clinical studies on his specialty interests and heart related issues. His post basic research endeavors included high-energy phosphate analysis in dilated cardiomyopathy and CHF. He currently is the principal investigator on a retrospective comparison of second and third generation beta blockers and post-operative atrial fibrillation prophylaxis, and is a co-investigator on the safety and efficacy in low molecular weight heparin in selected patients post open heart surgery. Dr. Hammer has participated in many other clinical trials including the QUIET STUDY and in the GUSTO trials.
He has presented his research findings and addressed his specialty interests at many national conferences and symposia. He is the author or co-author of articles related to his work in leading publications, including Circulation, Heart, and the New England Journal of Medicine, to name a few. In addition, he has co-authored a chapter on endogenous inotrope in a medical textbook on Cardiotonic Drugs.
Dr. Hammer is Fellow in the American College of Cardiology and a member of the American Medical Association, the American Society of Echocardiography and the Medical Society of Northeastern Ohio.
Education & Professional Highlights
Appointed
1998
Education & Fellowships
Fellowship - The Ohio State University Hospitals
Cardiology
Columbus,
OH
1986
Residency - The Ohio State University Hospitals
Internal Medicine
Columbus,
OH
1981
Internship - The Ohio State University Hospitals
Internal Medicine
Columbus,
OH
1979
Medical Education - The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health
Columbus,
OH
1978
Undergraduate - Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Chemistry
Cleveland,
OH
1974
Certifications
- Internal Medicine - Cardiovascular Disease
- Internal Medicine
Specialty Interests
General cardiology, heart disease, aorta disease, perioperative cardiac management
Research & Publications
See publications for Donald Hammer, MD.
(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)
Industry Relationships
Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.
To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.
As of 10/6/2023, Dr. Hammer has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.
Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.
* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.
61 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.
| Overall | Star Ratings | |
|---|---|---|
| Explains | 4.9 | |
| Courtesy, Respect & Concern | 5 | |
| Patient Rating of Doctor | 5 |
13 Patient Comments
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Reviewed on Jul 10, 2024
It is always great to talk to Dr Hammer. He is thorough, checking all the test results and considerate entire health picture.
Reviewed on Jul 8, 2024
Dr. Hammer is one in a million!!! Such a caring and great physician.
Reviewed on Jul 1, 2024
Dr hammer is the best!!!
Reviewed on Jul 1, 2024
I love Dr Hammer
Reviewed on Jun 20, 2024
Dr. Hammer is the consummate professional. Will be SAD when he retires!
Reviewed on Jun 20, 2024
Dr Hammer is very competent and compassionate. Mixed feelings about him retiring as we are very happy with him.
Reviewed on Jun 5, 2024
The Doctors took excellent care of me!
Reviewed on May 30, 2024
Dr. Hsmmer has always been caring, informative, and put the time in to make sure that you knew he cared and you were able to ask your questions, get the information you needed.
Reviewed on May 21, 2024
I appreciated Dr. Hammer's thoroughness and the clarity of his explanations.
Reviewed on May 20, 2024
All experience with Dr. Hammer and his staff were very good.
Reviewed on May 15, 2024
I met Dr Hammer over 20 years ago when I was evaluating having my Mitral Valve Repair at the Clinic. I have spoken to him throughout the years and returned for a visit when my insurance permitted this (Medicare). THe only comment I can make is that it was not easy to hear him when he spoke in a very low voice. I highly respect and value Dr Hammer and hope that I will have the chance to see him again.
Reviewed on May 14, 2024
Dr. Hammer is the best!
Reviewed on May 14, 2024
Love Dr Hammer. He is so caring and professional. Listens and explains well.