Donald Gerke

Dr. Donald Gerke is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), part of the College of Arts and Sciences. He holds expertise in health promotion, HIV prevention, and implementation science. His research focuses on bridging community-academic partnerships to address health disparities, particularly among individuals living with or at risk of HIV. Dr. Gerke teaches courses in research methods, program evaluation, substance use disorder, and HIV-related topics.

Education:

• BSW in Social Work, Seattle University
• MSW in Social Work (Direct Practice Mental Health), Washington University in St. Louis
• PhD in Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis

His professional background includes 10+ years of social work practice, including mental health counseling, HIV prevention program management, and supervising youth-focused prevention initiatives. Dr. Gerke’s work emphasizes translating research into practical solutions to close the research-practice gap in healthcare.