Aaron M. Gilson MS, MSSW, PhD

Aaron M. Gilson, MS, MSSW, PhD, is a Scientist II and social science researcher whose career goal has been to promote safe medication use and the rapid mitigation of medication-related harms. He earned his Master of Science in 1991 from Villanova University in the area of Experimental Psychology. He then received his Master of Science in Social Work (1994) and Doctor of Philosophy (1998) degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) School of Social Work, with concentrations in substance use disorders, social policy, and child maltreatment.

Dr. Gilson’s dissertation research analyzed social-ecological factors influencing the national occurrence of various types of child abuse and neglect. His commitment to public health issues began during his graduate studies, evolving into a professional interest in ecological approaches to address social or health problems that extended into the topics of medication use and patient safety. Dr. Gilson’s current role in the UW School of Pharmacy involves providing quantitative and qualitative support for a number of projects addressing patient healthcare and safety, often involving the enhanced involvement of pharmacists.