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.”
Howard and Jennifer are physician leaders that inspire others and are well deserving of this award.
Thanks so much, Ron! It’s been such a pleasure to collaborate with your outstanding ophthalmology team and to see your vision in our chairs group. Thanks for being such an amazing colleague!
Congratulations, Dr. Jennifer and Dr. Howard!! Another achievement among a list that will undoubtedly continue to grow. UNMC is lucky to have you both blazing trails!
Very grateful for your kind note and for all you do to elevate the voice of child health and mental health, Nicole! We appreciate our long friendship with MMI.
Congrats to a great couple – a perfect choice to receive this special award!
Tom – thanks for being such an incredible advocate for healthcare and science communication in our community. Your guidance has made a huge difference in our careers!
Congratulations!
Thanks so much, Jennifer – you know we appreciate the BHECN team for your incredible workforce development programs!
This is such a deserving honor for two wonderful people! Thank you both for being champions for change!
We have learned so much from your outstanding work at Charles Drew Health Center, the SHARING Clinic, and leading as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Inclusion, Dr. Strong! Thanks for being an incredible example of leading with integrity.
Congratulations and well deserved!
Thanks so much, Heidi, and we appreciate the incredible pipeline you’ve built for healthcare careers through the HS Alliance!
Congratulations! Well deserved! Both have been amazing partners in the development of our addiction division and addiction medicine fellowship. They embody the importance of the education of students and house officers and the tremendous responsibility we have to treat those who need us most! They have also reinforced for me that our patients are often our best teachers. I am grateful to know them.
The feeling is definitely mutual, Ken! Thanks for leading the way in building our state’s addiction medicine workforce and in lifting the stigma about substance use. You’ve been an incredible advocate and clinician!
Congratulations for a well deserved award.
Thanks very much, Dr. Grem, and we appreciate the innovative research and hope you are bringing to individuals impacted by GI cancer. Thank you for your leadership!
Congratulations! Thank you for all that you do for our communities!
Right back at you, Marlene! Thanks for being such an incredible partner on so many events and meetings with Chancellor Gold. You make magic happen with your scheduling skills!
Congratulations to Howard and Jennifer. A recognition that is so deserved by both of you. You both truly care.
That means so much coming from you, Mike, and our road trip to rural Nebraska is still one of the highlights of my career. Thank you for the close friendship between the Depts. of Family Medicine and Psychiatry over decades. A tradition you and Steve Wengel started and Jeff Harrison, Jenny and I are proud to continue!
Congratulations to you both on this well deserved recognition of your commitment to the health of our community—in Omaha as well as at UNMC.
Thanks very much, Dr. Gould! It’s been a pleasure to collaborate on the Latta Lecture series and many other venues at UNMC. We appreciate your leadership in GCBA and Grad Studies!
Congratulations!
Thanks so much, Patty!
What an honor and very well deserved! Your visionary leadership and caring attitude have touched the lives of many and many more to come! Congratulations!
Definitely inspired by your leadership of our lifesaving Adult PES and the outstanding consult team in psychiatry, Ashish!
Your energy, vision, and commitment are unsurpassed! This is well-deserved and I am so happy to see the two of you recognized for your contributions to making the world a better place.
Thanks for making BHECN thrive through the Ambassador program pipeline, Ann! We’ve had many adventures from Scottsbluff to Joslyn Castle to South Omaha meeting future colleagues in mental health and addiction careers. Thanks for all of your incredible planning and relationship building skills!
Congratulations!! We will not be able to attend, but sent a donation in your honor.
Thanks so much, Carol and Rick! That means so much coming from you as past recipients of this Lifesaver Award. Thank you for the incredible work you do for the Nebraska community and we are honored by your generous gift!