Dr. Gregory Hammer is a small animal and equine practitioner in Dover, Delaware, who has worked as a veterinarian for over 33 years. His goals for leadership at the AVMA are to focus on animal welfare, which he feels is the most important issue facing the association, along with improving the AMVA communications, legislative impact, relationship with the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, and professional unity.

For over 30 years, Dr. Hammer has been part owner and partner at a small animal/equine practice, the Brenford Animal Hospital in Dover, Delaware. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1971 and in 1973 he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University where he was inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Zeta, and Phi Zeta honor societies. Dr. Hammer received the Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine's Distinguished Alumni Award in 2001.

Dr. Hammer held the rank of captain in the U.S. Air Force as a veterinary medical officer from January 1974 to January 1976, and he received the Meritorious Metal for his outstanding service. At the Dover Air Force Base, where he was stationed, Dr. Hammer had the opportunity to practice public health and food safety. Then in 1994, he was named honorary commander of the 436th Military Airlift Wing Medical Group.

Dr. Hammer has been active in organized veterinary medicine for his entire career. Prior to being elected as president-elect, Dr. Hammer represented District II on the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Executive Board for six years beginning in 1999, serving members in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. During his term on the Executive Board, he served as vice-chair of the board and also chair of the Legislative Advisory and Long Range Planning committees. Dr. Hammer also served as the AVMA House of Delegates from 1986 to 1999.

Dr. Hammer has also been an active member of the Delaware Veterinary Medical Association (DVMA) since 1975 and has served on its Executive Board since 1986. He has contributed to the DVMA in the areas of legislation, securing educational opportunities for Delaware veterinary students, convention activities, public relations, and reorganization of the DVMA. In 1997, the DVMA honored him with the Delaware Veterinarian of the Year award. He is also a member of the District of Columbia, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia Medical Associations.

Active for many years in Dover community and civic affairs, Dr. Hammer has been a member of the Dover Rotary Club since 1983 and has served on their Board of Directors since 1991. A member of the Bayhealth Medical Center Board since 1993, he has been a member of their Executive Board since 1994. Dr. Hammer is a member of the Greater Dover Committee and Ducks Unlimited. From 1984 until 1997 he was a member of the Kent General Hospital Foundation, serving as chairman from 1993 to 1997; served on the American Veterinary Cooperative Board of Directors from 1993 to 1995; and did volunteer work in various capacities at Dover High School from 1989 to 1994.

Dr. Gregory Hammer and his wife, Karen, a high school counselor, have two children, Scott and Jill. Scott, his wife, Sara Kate, and son Kirk, and daughter Addie Caroline, reside in Milford, Delaware, where he is a physician in a family practice. Jill is a speech pathologist at the National Child Research Center in Washington D.C. Dr. Hammer and his family have been long-time members of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Dover, and he served two terms, 1980-1984 and 1992-1995, on its Administrative Board.