UNMC’s Jennifer Liu, MD, and Howard Liu, MD – two doctors known for giving back to the medical community, promoting gender equity and supporting underrepresented and disadvantaged populations – will be honored with the Life Savers Award from Nebraska Cures at its Spring Tribute Reception.
The event will be held April 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Happy Hollow Club in Omaha, with a brief program starting at 6 p.m. Information on tickets and sponsorships is available at the Nebraska Cures website.
Dr. Howard Liu is chair of the UNMC Department of Psychiatry and a professor in the UNMC College of Medicine. He is chair of the American Psychiatric Association’s Council on Communications and an innovator on the professional use of social media in health care.
He is a champion for gender equity in leadership and a leader in Asian American Pacific Islander inclusion in health care leadership. As chair of psychiatry, Dr. Liu was instrumental in the creation of a new UNMC adult psychiatry residency program and addiction medicine fellowship, the expansion of strategic partnerships with the Charles Drew Health Center and the launch of Nebraska’s first Adult Psychiatric Emergency Services. During his tenure, the faculty in the department of psychiatry has grown by 57%.
Dr. Jennifer Liu is an assistant professor in the UNMC Department of Family Medicine who practices at Nebraska Medicine’s Millard Health Clinic. She is past president and currently on the faculty advisory board for the UNMC SHARING Clinic, the student run free clinic that provides free and low-cost care to underprivileged populations. She also leads the Enhanced Medical Education Track track for medical students interested in underserved health and volunteers with Healing Gift, a free clinic in Omaha.
The Lius said they have been sponsored by incredible health care leaders and community champions during their nearly 14 years in Omaha.
“Working at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine means believing in a brighter future from North Platte to North Omaha,” the couple said. “It has been a privilege to be a small part of the health care workforce who will spend our lives caring for people across Nebraska. We are deeply honored to receive this award.”
Over the past 20 years, Nebraska Cures has annually presented the Life Saver Award to philanthropists, scientists, clinicians and educators who exemplify the organization’s mission to promote, support and advocate for scientific research and education to advance both quality of life and the economy. Past UNMC recipients include Bob Bartee and Helen Bartee, Howard Gendelman, MD, and Bonnie Block, MD, Alison Freifeld, MD, and Ken Cowan, MD, PhD, and Chancellor emeritus Harold M. Maurer, MD, and Beverly Maurer.
Nebraska Cures recently has focused on health disparities revealed by the pandemic, as well as the spread of health science misinformation, taking an expanded role in health science communication and advocacy.
“This year we are excited to recognize Drs. Howard and Jennifer Liu, who have made a consistent and focused effort to promote gender and underrepresented population equity in education and delivery of health care,” said Nebraska Cures Board President David Crouse, PhD, who retired from UNMC after a longtime career as an administrator and professor in the UNMC Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy.
Said Nebraska Cures Executive Director Amanda McGill Johnson, “Dr. Howard Liu’s work to increase access and effectiveness of mental and behavioral health services is making a profound impact on Nebraska.”
Bradley Britigan, MD, dean of the UNMC College of Medicine, commended Dr. Howard Liu for his leadership roles at UNMC and previously at the UNMC Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska.
“Dr. Liu has been a champion for improving the quantity and quality of mental health care in Nebraska,” Dr. Britigan said. “He has led efforts in new program clinical development and championed the creation or expansion of training programs to address the critical shortage of mental health providers throughout the region and nationally.”
Jeffrey Harrison, MD, chair of the UNMC Department of Family Medicine and the Milton G. Waldbaum Professor of Family Practice, said the family medicine department is proud to have Dr. Jennifer Liu on its faculty. He commended her for serving as an adviser, preceptor and leader for UNMC’s SHARING Clinics.
Said Dr. Harrison, “Dr. Liu has been an outstanding role model for students of all disciplines as they reach out to ensure quality care for those in need. It is very fitting that she and Howard are being recognized by Nebraska Cures for their contribution to our community.”