Faculty Profile

Mary Hammes
Section of Nephrology
Associate Professor of Medicine
mhammes@bsd.uchicago.edu
Referring Physician Access Line: 1-877-DOM-2730
Director, Chronic Dialysis

Academic Interests

Dr. Mary Hammes has cared for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis for over 20 years. She is particularly attuned and appreciates the struggles that this patient population endures. The most significant of these is the placement and maintenance of vascular access used in hemodialysis. Her current research interests which have been funded by the NIH for over 7 years have focused on the improvement of vascular access for this patient population. To this end, Dr. Hammes has developed an indepth understanding of the mechanisms responsible for venous stenosis and thrombosis in arteriovenous fistulae, and has developed new approaches for the management of cephalic arch stenosis (CAS) in patients with brachiocephalic fistula access. CAS is a common problem which is difficult to treat and contributes significantly to the morbidity and mortality of ESRD patients. Graft and fistulae thrombosis is also a major clinical problem for ESRD patients which currently have very limited treatments options. Dr. Hammes collaborates with Anindata Basu PhD., section of Genetic Medicine at University of Chicago and Argonne labs, and has created a novel milli-fluidic device that includes an exact replication of a cephalic arch in patients with brachiocephalic fistula and is scientifically used to determine if components of blood or varying hemodynamic conditions contribute to venous thrombosis of vascular access. By using a multidisciplinary expert team of bioengineers, specialists in nanotechnology, clinical nephrology, hematology and interventional techniques Dr. Hammes has developed a leading program in the investigation of complications of vascular access in hemodialysis patients.
 

Clinical Interests

Comprehensive care of the end-stage renal failure patient with efforts to prevent complications as they pertain to hemodialysis and ensure adequate, safe, quality dialysis treatments.
 

Publications

For a complete list of publications click here:

Training

  • BS, 1981, Winona State University, Nursing
  • DO, 1988, Texas College of Osteopathic Hospital
  • Residency, 1992, Loyola University , Internal Medicine
  • Fellowship, 1995, The University of Chicago, Nephrology