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Dr. Donald Liu, born June 12, 1962, was an internationally recognized pediatric surgeon who earned his M.D. and Ph.D. in immunology from Jefferson Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in 1990.

Served as section chief of pediatric surgery and surgeon-in-chief at Comer Children's Hospital at the University of Chicago starting in 2007, and developed innovative surgical approaches for chronic abdominal pain syndromes including median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS).

Published over 70 research articles and 8 book chapters on minimally invasive surgery, the human microbiome, and surgical treatment of intestinal disease, and lectured internationally while serving as principal investigator for multiple clinical trials and National Institutes of Health grants.

On August 5, 2012, Dr. Liu heroically rescued two 12-year-old boys from drowning in Lake Michigan after they were knocked from their kayak by heavy waves, but was swept away by a rip current and died in the rescue effort.

Illinois Senate memorializes Dr. Liu's bravery and medical contributions, and expresses sympathy to his surviving wife Dana Suskind, children Genevieve, Asher, and Amelie, and sister Diana Liu.