Sarah Hilmer

Sarah Hilmer is a Conjoint Professor of Geriatric Pharmacology at the Northern Clinical School of the University of Sydney. She is a member of the Charles Perkins Centre and specializes in research areas including Healthy Ageing and Lifespan. Her clinical focus is Gerontology, and she actively investigates polypharmacy, frailty, and the Drug Burden Index in older adults.

• Key Themes: Healthy Ageing, Lifespan
• Keywords: Ageing, Pharmacology, Gerontology

Her research spans translational studies using mouse models to evaluate polypharmacy effects, clinical trials on deprescribing interventions, and health systems research to improve medication management in residential and hospital settings. Recent projects include developing computerised clinical decision support tools and digital patient support hubs for frail older adults.

Her 15 most recent articles (2023–2025) focus on deprescribing in dementia care, polypharmacy impacts on physical function, and implementation science for medication safety. Trends highlight interdisciplinary approaches to frailty assessment, drug interaction management, and health equity in aged care.

She mentors PhD students like Esther Afolabi and Edward Lau, who are working on digital health tools and clinical decision support for frailty. Her work intersects with geriatric comanagement in surgical patients and antimicrobial stewardship in residential aged care.