Dr. Ronald L. Hammers awarded Top Doctor nine years running.

Ronald L. Hammers, MD, is a board-certified neurosurgeon who has practiced in Colorado since 2011 and recognized as a “Top Doctor” in neurosurgery by Colorado Springs Magazine for nine consecutive years. He treats a broad range of neurological conditions, including brain and spine trauma, brain tumors, degenerative spine disease, and peripheral nerve disorders.

Dr. Hammers is particularly known for his expertise in both fusion and motion-preserving, non-fusion spine procedures such as cervical disc replacement, which maintains natural movement and can help patients recover more quickly.

Dr. Hammers has earned a reputation for his thoughtful, patient-centered care. His approach begins with listening carefully to his patients, thoroughly evaluating their condition, and considering the most conservative treatment options first. Only when surgery is the best or only solution does he recommend it—often using minimally invasive techniques designed to minimize tissue disruption, reduce pain, and speed recovery.

Dr. Hammers earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford, Illinois. He completed both his general surgery internship and neurosurgical residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois, followed by a socioeconomic fellowship through the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies.

By joining Neurosurgery One, Dr. Hammers becomes part of a collaborative team of 10 other neurosurgeons with expertise across the full spectrum of brain, spine, and nerve disorders, as well as five interventional pain management physicians who work closely with the neurosurgeons to offer patients the treatment best suited to their condition.

“I’m motivated by seeing patients recover and return to the lives they love,” Dr. Hammers says. “My role is to help them make informed decisions and guide them toward the safest and most effective treatment, whether that’s surgery or a more conservative option.”

Originally from Illinois, Dr. Hammers lives in Colorado with his wife and three children. Outside the operating room, he enjoys playing racket sports, making music, cooking, and spending time with his family.

Education & Experience

Education

• Medical Degree: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL
• General Surgery Internship: Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL
• Neurosurgical Residency: Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL
• Fellowship: Council of State Neurosurgical Societies, Socioeconomic Fellowship

 

Experience

• 15 years in practice as an attending neurosurgeon in Colorado Springs
• Extensive experience in spine, brain, and peripheral nerve surgery
• Nine consecutive years (2017-2025) recognized as a “Top Doctor” in neurosurgery by Colorado Springs Magazine

Memberships

• American Association of Neurological Surgeons
• Congress of Neurological Surgeons
• Colorado State Neurosurgical Society
• El Paso County Medical Society

Publications

• Laprascopic-Assisted Lumboperitoneal Shunt Placement for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. Hammers R, Prabhu VC, Sarker S, Jay WM. Semin Ophthalmol. 2008 May-Jun;23(3):151-5.
• Technological Synergy Improving the Placement and Performance of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts: Experience With Stereotactic-Guided Ventricular Catheter with Progra- mmable Shunt Valves, Part I. Hammers R, Prabhu V, Anderson D, Origitano T.C. Contemporary Neurosurgery, June 30, 2008.
• Technological Synergy Improving the Placement and Performance of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts: Experience With Stereotactic-Guided Ventricular Catheter with Progra- mmable Shunt Valves, Part II.  Hammers R, Prabhu V, Anderson D, Origitano T.C.            Contemporary Neurosurgery, July 15, 2008.
• Epidural Hematoma (Electronic Book Chapter). Medlink Neurology (www.medlink.com). Hammers R, Origitano T.C. 2009.
• Neurosurgical Mortality: What are the Variable that Effect Mortality within a Single Institution and within a National Database.” Hammers R, Anzalone S, Sinacore J, Origitano TC. J Neurosurg. 2010 Feb; 112(2):257-64.
• Anomalous medial origin of the anterior choroidal artery with associated aneurysm. Hammers R, Hacein-Bey L, Origitano TC. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 287 (2009) 250-252.
• Adult Scoliosis: Part 1. Hammers R, Ahmed H, Nockels R. Contemporary Neurosurgery. Volume 33, Number 4. February 28, 2011.
• Adult Scoliosis: Part 1. Hammers R, Ahmed H, Nockels R. Contemporary Neurosurgery. Volume 33, Number 4. February 28, 2011.
• The use of abdominal free fat for volumetric augmentation and primary dural closure in supratentorial skull base surgery: managing the stigma of temporal defect. Ackerman PD, Hammers R, Ibrahim T, Origitano TC. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2012 Apr:73(2):139-44.
• Single fraction radiosurgical tolerance of brainstem, trigeminal nerve, and Meckel’s cave for facial numbness. Krishna C. Monroe, Ronald L. Hammers MD, Olivier C. Blasi MS, Richard C. Mallory MS, Alan T. Monroe MD. Pract Radiat Oncol. 2024 Oct 16.

Presentations

• Penrose Hospital Grand Rounds: Cervical Degenerative Disease: Cervical Disc Arthroplasty
• Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Trauma and Critical Care Symposium 2016. Colorado Springs.
• Osteoporosis and Its Effects on the Spine. Penrose Hospital Bone and Joint Lecture Series.
• A review of Cranial Trauma. Trauma and Critical Care Symposium 2012. Colorado Springs.
• Use of abdominal free fat for cosmetic augmentation and primary CSF closure in supratentorial skull base surgery: managing the stigmata of temporal defect. Hammers R, Origitano TC. Poster presentation, North American Skull Base Society, Annual Meeting, Scottsdale Arizona.
• Neurosurgical mortality rates: what variables affect mortality within a single institution and within a national database? Hammers R, Anzalone S, Sinacore J, Origitano TC. J Neurosurg. 2010 Feb:112(2):257-64.
• Neurological Surgery Boot Camp: Developing a Fundamental Operative Skills Course for Neurological Surgery Residents. Hammers R, Origitano T.C. Neurosurgical Forum Oral/Poster presentation, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Annual Meeting, New Orleans 2009. Award for Best in Section, CSNS.
• Neurosurgery Night Call: Taming the Terror. Foundations in Neurosurgery. Faculty, Chicago, Illinois. September, 2009.
• Petrosal Approach to a Falcotentorial Meningioma. Hammers R, Prabhu V, Duckworth EAM, Origitano TC. Poster presentation, North American Skull Base Society Annual Meeting.
• “The Effect of Transfer and Emergency Department Admissions on Mortality of University Neurological Service” & “Technological Advances in the Placement of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts.” Poster presentation, Loyola University Medical Center, St. Albert’s Research Day.
• American Physician Institute General Surgery Qualifying Exam Preparatory Course, Lecture on Cranio-Spinal Trauma
• American Association of Neurological Surgeons, May, 2008 Socioeconomic Plenary Session Presentation “The Effect of Transfer and Emergency Department Admissions on Mortality of University Neurological Service”
• Richard Lende Neurosurgery Conference, February, 2007 Oral Presentation “Laparoscopic-assisted LP Shunt Placement for Idiopathic Intracranial-Hypertension”
• Richard Lende Neurosurgery Conference, February, 2007 Oral Presentation “Technological Advances in the Placement of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts”