Denise Orwig

Denise L. Orwig, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology & Public Health at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and serves as Interim Division Director of Gerontology. She holds a PhD in Biobehavioral Health with a Gerontology minor from Penn State University. Her work focuses on hip fracture recovery, pharmacoepidemiology, and medication management in older adults, leading the Baltimore Hip Studies (BHS) program. She co-directs a joint UMBC-UMB Doctoral Program in Gerontology, emphasizing interdisciplinary training in epidemiology, policy, and behavioral sciences.

Dr. Orwig has led 8 cohort studies involving over 3,500 hip fracture patients and four RCTs. Her research includes developing the MedMaIDE tool to assess medication self-management in the elderly. Awards include NIH fellowships, mentorship accolades, and recognition for advancing underrepresented STEM students. She has authored over 70 peer-reviewed articles and contributed to textbooks on geriatric medicine and pharmaceutical care.

Her mentorship spans doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty. Key collaborations include hospitals across Baltimore, Washington D.C., and southern Pennsylvania. She advocates for interventions to maximize recovery post-hip fracture and improve osteoporosis treatment post-fracture.