Sage Liu graduated this Spring 2024 as a dual degree student earning a BS in Public Health with an emphasis in Global Health, and a BSHS in Physiology and Medicine with a minor in Public Health. Her passion for health equity led her to intern with TruLite Health and Health Connectors, to volunteer for the Mobile Health Unit, and to serve as a Public Health Ambassador. For her dedication to serving others and building health equity, Sage won the undergraduate 2024 Public Health Service Award from the college.
Dr. Moore-Monroy inspired me to dive deeper into health disparities since taking her class two years ago. This introductory class pushed me to pursue my honors thesis, researching data disaggregation and its effect on Asian American health equity with her as a mentor.
Sage Liu
BS in Public Health with an emphasis in Global Health
BSHS in Physiology and Medicine with Minor in Public Health
Sage, a dual degree student, earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree with an concentration in Global Health with Honors, and a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences in Physiology and Medical Sciences with a Public Health minor.
Despite her demanding academic curriculum, Sage found the time to serve and volunteer in many ways to advance public health through programs and organizations both inside and outside the university. She interned with TruLite Health, a company that finds health equity solutions for health systems by reducing clinical biases, and for Health Connectors, a program that works in local elementary schools to improve health literacy. She also volunteered to serve as a screener and scribe with the college’s Mobile Health Unit in Tucson that brings health services to underserved communities. In addition, Sage volunteered with the Arizona Simulation Technology and Education Center (ASTEC) and as a Public Health Ambassador. For her dedication to serving others and building health equity, Sage won the undergraduate 2024 Public Health Service Award from the college.
Sage also held leadership roles with several student organizations on campus, including Alpha Epsilon Delta, the SOPHOS Sophmore Honorary, and the LINKS Junior Honorary. Alongside her other involvement, she volunteered at Pima Animal Care Center and with the Light the Night Walk.
Sage will begin her MD/MPH degree program in Fall 2024 at the UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. She has a passion to make the world a kinder, healthier, happier place and she gives her time and talent to push for change.
For this profile, we asked Sage about what she learned during her undergraduate studies at the Zuckerman College of Public Health, and what inspires her about public Health.
Q: What inspired you about the projects and/or programs you worked on? What did you learn?
A: From my first public health class, I found the social determinants of health and health equity to be interesting topics that require urgent attention. My public health classes introduced me to health disparities and the need for change, so I decided to involve myself in programs that reduce health disparities. As I worked with different organizations, I learned more about how I can support a more equitable future in medicine, and I sought out other projects towards that goal.
I have learned so much about what it means to be healthy and how I can support the health and happiness of all people as a culturally competent and compassionate primary care physician.
Q: Did you have a teacher or mentor who especially inspired you? How and why?
A: Dr. Moore-Monroy inspired me to dive deeper into health disparities since taking her class two years ago. This introductory class pushed me to pursue my honors thesis, researching data disaggregation and its effect on Asian American health equity with her as a mentor. Her passion for improving the healthcare system also inspired me to pursue an MD/MPH at the College of Medicine Phoenix next year.
Q: What are some challenges or obstacles that you had to overcome in the process of your education in the college, or in the projects/programs in which you worked?
A: The biggest challenge I’ve faced working in public health affairs is maintaining a positive and confident outlook. It is easy to feel discouraged when you see the widespread health disparities and historical systemic issues we face. However, by speaking to more public health advocates and professionals, I've seen so much passion and dedication for making change and I’m confident that working together we can create a more equitable future for all.
