Darren Liu, DrPH, MS

Professor Darren Liu joined the School of Public Health's Department of Health Policy, Management and Leadership in August 2022. 

Dr. Liu is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) and serves on the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). He also serves on the Board of Directors of Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA).

With extensive experience in long-term care administration, nursing home quality, and health equity, Dr. Liu is also on the editorial boards of leading journals such as Innovation in Aging, JMIR Aging, and Gerontology and Geriatrics Education.

His research focuses on health equity, long-term care management, and quality improvement. Dr. Liu has authored and edited several influential books, including:

1. Liu, D. & Castle, N. (Eds.) (2025). Managing Quality and Safety in Long-Term Care. Springer Publishing Company. ISBN: 978-0-8261-4934-3

• Developed in response to the NASEM 2022 report, this book provides a comprehensive examination of quality and safety in long-term care (LTC). It covers foundational principles, caregiver roles, and the continuum of care, while exploring strategies for measuring and improving service effectiveness, addressing workforce trends, policy changes, and emerging technologies. This resource is designed for students, practitioners, and policymakers, offering essential tools to enhance LTC and ensure the well-being of older adults.  [Link to Publisher and Amazon]

2. Liu, D., Burston, B.C., Stewart, S.C., Mulligan, H.H. (2020). Isms in Health Care Human Resources: A Concise Guide to Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Jones & Bartlett Learning. ISBN: 978-128-4201802.

• This book explores workplace "Isms" that hinder output maximization, such as heterosexism, central tendencyism, and sexual harassment. It provides strategies to foster a cooperative work environment and encourages self-analysis to promote cultural humility. Aimed at public health and healthcare leaders, it offers practical solutions to enhance productivity and efficiency. [Links to Publisher and Amazon]

3. Liu, D., Burston, B.C., Stewart, S.C., Mulligan, H.H. (2018). The Challenges of Health Disparities: Implications and Actions for Health Care Professionals. Jones & Bartlett Learning. ISBN: 978-128-4156096.

• This book examines health disparities, focusing on factors contributing to unequal outcomes, particularly among low-income and vulnerable populations. It emphasizes the importance of understanding social determinants of health and advocates for integrating social services with medical care to address non-medical, health-related needs. The Challenges of Health Disparities was listed as one of The Best Health Administration Books of All Time. [Link to Publisher and Amazon]

Dr. Liu earned his DrPH in behavioral and community health sciences and M.S. in biostatistics from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.