David A. Zilz, RPh, MS, FASHP, FPSW, is a Clinical Professor Emeritus of the UW–Madison School of Pharmacy.

His professional career at UW Hospital and Clinics was devoted to identifying and implementing innovative contemporary pharmacy practices services, training of pharmacy residents, and developing new hospital services. In addition to serving as the Director of Pharmacy Services for over two decades, he led other departments including Central Services, Materials Management and Respiratory Care. He was instrumental in establishing a number of hospital programs including: Home Care and Infusion Services, a Technology Identification and Assessment organization, and the Office of Clinical Research for the UW Medical School.

His past organization and association leadership roles include: Member of Board of Directors for Apexus, two terms as Treasurer of ASHP; Past President of ASHP; Chair, Novation Pharmacy Executive Committee; Chair of University Health Systems Consortium Steering Committee of Pharmacy Executive Committee; and Chair, Board of Visitors, UW School of Pharmacy.

Dave is a frequently recognized leader in the pharmacy profession and is the recipient of ASHP’s highest honor, the Harvey A.K. Whitney Lecture Award. Additional recognitions include the ASHP Award for Distinguished Leadership in Health-System Pharmacy Practice; the Vizient David A. Zilz Leadership Award; the John W, Webb Visiting Lecture Award; the Donald C. Brodie Pan Pacific Award; the John McKesson Inaugural Fellow; the 2016 UW Pharmacy School Alumnae of the Year Award; and was named twice as the Wisconsin Society of Hospital Pharmacist and Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin Pharmacist of the Year.

He has an extensive list of publications related to pharmacy, hospital administrative and other health-related topics. He continues to lecture, mentor, and coach on trends that impact the research, production, distribution and utilization and management implications of pharmaceuticals in the United States.

He is semi-retired and continues to be involved in numerous leadership roles in pharmacy and health related entities, colleges of pharmacy, associations and foundations, as well as his church and local community organizations. Throughout his career, Dave has mentored thousands of current and aspiring pharmacy leaders, and fostered their professional success on a national level.

His pharmacy training includes a BS & MS University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy and Residency Training at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics.

Recognizing the achievements of our graduate students from the following programs:

Doctor of Philosophy – Pharmaceutical Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy – Health Services Research in Pharmacy
Master of Science – Applied Drug Development
Capstone Certificate – Applied Drug Development
Master of Science – Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation
Capstone Certificate – Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation

Dr. Abhijit Gadkari is a Pharmaceutical Executive with over 15 years of experience working in the industry. He has a doctorate in health services research from the UW–Madison School of Pharmacy, and his work has been published in top tier journals including the New England Journal of Medicine and the Lancet. He currently serves as the Head of Health Economics & Outcomes Research for Immunology, Neuroscience, and Gene Therapies at Novartis, a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Switzerland.

Although research provides the foundation for his work, Dr. Gadkari’s focus is on people. He strives to understand what motivates people and engages colleagues in a way that is both professionally impactful and personally meaningful. He cherishes the friendships that have evolved over the course of his career and constantly looks for opportunities to mentor students as well as junior colleagues.

Dr. Gadkari lives in Basking Ridge, NJ with his wife (also a UW–Madison graduate) and their 12-year-old daughter, Sophie. Outside of work, he is an avid reader and runner. Finally, in his own words, what helps him keep it all together is his meditation. He has been practicing breathwork and meditation for over a decade and enjoys sharing these techniques with others as a certified instructor.

Congratulations to the PharmTox Class of 2025!

Ben is presently the Director of the Innovation Center of Excellence in marketing at SC Johnson. With over 25 years of experience in consumer products and process improvement, Ben combines scientific rigor with creative thinking to drive growth and innovation. His background in pharmacology and toxicology has equipped him with a unique perspective, enabling him to critically assess risks and opportunities as well as foster a culture of innovation across various disciplines.

In his role, Ben focuses on developing new capabilities and strategies that drive growth for the organization. He has a proven track record in managing projects and portfolios, promoting sustainability, developing talent, and leading innovation initiatives. His expertise spans multiple areas, including Environment, Safety, Regulatory Affairs, Research & Development, and Marketing, covering all aspects of new product development. Ben is passionate about advancing next practices in innovation and sustainability, ensuring that the organization stays ahead of industry trends.

Ben’s contributions have been recognized with several notable awards. He was selected for the Ocean Plastic Awakening Experience in the Philippines, an initiative focused on addressing plastic pollution. He also received the Special Chairman’s Award for Excellence for his work on the Greenlist™ initiative, which aims to improve the environmental impact of products, and the Greenlist™ Timeless Timber Award for his role in establishing a new product development center in Shanghai, China. Additionally, Ben holds a patent for the Pledge Orange Oil formula and safety packaging modifications.

Outside of work, Ben enjoys exploring new music and the thrill of discovering his next favorite song. He has a growth mindset and loves to read and listen to podcasts to stay informed about new ideas and trends. Running and pickleball are integral parts of his life, contributing to both his physical fitness and mental well-being.

Doctoral and Professional Degree Candidate Ceremony (including PharmD and PhD)
Friday, May 9, 2025
5:30 pm CST
Kohl Center

Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Candidate Ceremony (including BS PharmTox Degree Candidates)
Saturday, May 10, 2025
12:00 pm CST
Camp Randall Stadium

A heartfelt thank-you goes to the faculty and staff at the School of Pharmacy who coordinated this celebration event: Anna Reinhart, Lindsey Weigel, Sally Griffith-Oh, Kendra Gurnee, Ace Hilliard, Lindy Stoll, Christopher McIntire, Katie Gerhards, Zoe Andrews, Jasmine Loving, and Alissa Karnaky