Laurie Green 2026 MD Innovator Award: Dr. Stephen Lieberman
Guiding Understanding, Improving Care
Dr. Stephen Lieberman set out to embrace retirement on the golf course. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he looked forward to more time with family and friends, along with plenty of rounds chasing the “perfect” swing. But even with a well-earned focus on rest and relaxation, the drive to help others, instilled over decades of medical practice, wasn’t something he could simply set aside.
After more than 30 years as a urologist, Dr. Lieberman carried a wealth of knowledge on topics many patients, friends, and even golf buddies find difficult to discuss. Paired with his approachable commitment to education, Dr. Lieberman made these conversations feel natural. Whether in the exam room, over a drink, or on the golf course, his ability to put people at ease opened the door for honest dialogue and deeper understanding.
“I’d be playing golf with these guys in the men’s club, and when they found out I was a urologist, they’d always ask me questions. ‘I’ve got a high PSA, should I worry?’ ‘I’ve had 13 operations for my kidney stones, can anything be done about it?’ ‘I get up five times a night to go to the bathroom, that ain’t normal is it Doc?’” he said. “At the same time, I was doing consults for MAVEN. I thought, there are all these common questions, and I could change the way people understand their problem by giving them some basic information. So I decided to start writing answers to their questions.”
Even the most uncomfortable topics felt easy to discuss with Dr. Lieberman, and his talent for turning complex medical concepts into clear, relatable explanations put people at ease and invited honest conversation.
This approach became the foundation of his work. During his tenure at Kaiser Permanente in Portland, including his 27 years as Chief of the Urology Department, Dr. Lieberman developed a deep dedication to patient education, particularly around prostate cancer, PSA screening, and shared decision-making. He saw firsthand how confusion and outdated information could shape outcomes. In response, after retirement he began creating resources designed to guide patients through complex diagnoses with clarity and confidence.
One of his earliest projects, “Action Plan: Prostate Cancer: Choosing the Treatment That’s Right for You,” grew from his hour-long consultations with newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients. Walking them through anatomy, biopsy results, and treatment options such as active surveillance, surgery, or radiation, he distilled complex information into actionable guidance. The book evolved into a comprehensive resource with a DVD distributed through Kaiser Permanente, equipping both patients and providers nationwide.
Building on this work, Dr. Lieberman broadened his efforts to make education and understanding accessible to all. Inspired by nearly a decade of volunteer work with MAVEN, he set out to expand his mission by authoring “A Curious Man’s Guide to Urology: Sex, Stones, Prostate Woes, and more!” and “A Curious Woman’s Guide to Urology: UTIs, Wet Pants, Stones, and more.” Designed to be accessible, illustrated, and practical, these books serve physicians, primary care clinicians, nurses, and patients alike. Thanks to a grant from the OHSU Foundation, the books have been distributed to MAVEN clinic partners in English and Spanish nationwide.
Each book, each consult, and each teaching session through MAVEN becomes a multiplier, equipping providers in under-resourced settings with the knowledge and confidence to deliver better care.
“He goes above and beyond,” one provider said. “Not just responding to my question, but sending us the books. His effort to help us help our clients is much appreciated.” Another added, “Dr. Lieberman is amazing with consults. He’s passionate about PSA education and goes above and beyond to discuss cases.”
At the heart of his work is a driving message: the importance of early detection of prostate cancer, and shared decision making. Through MAVEN, he reinforces this message, among various other topics, with primary care providers through regular education.
“That message is really important to me,” Dr. Lieberman said. “It’s important that I get the message to physicians with MAVEN because they can really make a difference in dramatically decreasing the incidence of metastatic prostate cancer. I hope the other topics I talk about – UTIs, stones, hematuria, BPH, and pediatric urology- will give clinicians the tools that they may have not gotten in training, void of confusion by the plethora of information and bias on the internet.”
Through his writing, teaching, consults, and approachable presence, Dr. Lieberman has developed a model of care that extends well beyond a single practice. Insights once shared with individual patients now equip clinicians across the country, amplifying his influence and shaping the care of countless people he may never meet.
“MAVEN provides a sense of value for me, I still feel like I am connected to people and, in a way, connected to patients. It really allows me to give something back.”
For his innovative contributions to advancing MAVEN Project’s mission through patient-centered resources and educational tools, Dr. Lieberman is being honored with the 2026 Laurie Green MD Innovator Award. This recognition reflects not only his decades of expertise in urology, but also his commitment to empower clinicians, improve understanding, and expand access to quality care nationwide.
