The Department is pleased to announce that on July 1, 2026, the School of Medicine promoted Gentry Wilkerson, MD, to the rank of Professor of Emergency Medicine as a clinician-educator.

Dr. Wilkerson earned his bachelor’s degree in microbiology and cell science from the University of Florida and his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine. After completing his residency at the State University of New York-Downstate, Dr. Wilkerson joined the faculty there, and later at the University of South Florida. In 2012, Dr. Wilkerson found his home in our Department, where he quickly developed a strong reputation for his outstanding clinical care, strong teaching abilities, and unique contributions to emergency medicine research.

A board-certified emergency medicine physician, Dr. Wilkerson is a respected physician in the adult emergency department at the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Downtown Campus, where he cares for his patients with a tremendous amount of skill, dedication, and compassion. Outside of his clinical commitments, Dr. Wilkerson has devoted himself to Emergency Medicine research, with a robust portfolio. Two critical topics of his research, sickle cell disease and opioid use, disproportionately affect our local population base, and Dr. Wilkerson’s clinical research activity has improved the care we provide to affected patients.

Dr. Wilkerson’s clinical excellence and research overflow into his work as an educator. He routinely serves as an instructor within UMSOM on toxicology, cardiology, pulmonology, and complex multisystem issues, among others. More recently, Dr. Wilkerson was asked to serve as a career advisor for UMSOM’s Office of Academic Affairs. In addition, Dr. Wilkerson facilitates our department’s Residency Journal Club, keeping us up to date with the latest science in our specialty. Dr. Wilkerson is a dedicated physician, productive scholar, impactful teacher, and effective mentor. He has served as a trailblazer and advocate for the role of research within our Department—and the entire field of emergency medicine. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Wilkerson on his very well-earned promotion.