Gila M. Acker

Dr. Gila M. Acker is a Professor of Social Work at York College, The City University of New York, where she has served since 1999. She holds a DSW from Adelphi University (1997), an MSW from Fordham University (1984), and a BS in Social Work from Haifa University, Israel (1978). Her research focuses on occupational stress in mental health care providers, managed care challenges, role expectations of social work students, and transphobia in helping professions. She is certified in psychoanalytic psychotherapy by the Long Island Institute for Mental Health.

Dr. Acker has received multiple awards, including NIH grants and PSC-CUNY research support. Her publications span peer-reviewed journals like Journal of Social Work and Community Mental Health Journal. She has held leadership roles, including Chairperson of the Department of Social Work (2014–2022) and Chair of the Department of Social Sciences (2007–2014). Her teaching includes courses on social research and generalist practice, and she contributed to developing online curricula through York College initiatives.

Her research emphasizes burnout prevention, managed care adaptations, and improving social workers' professional environments. Awards include recognition for recruitment efforts (2002) and grants supporting studies on burnout and workforce retention.