American Medical Students Oppose Nomination Of Holsinger For U.S. Surgeon General

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs;  Public Health
Article Date: 18 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the nation's largest, independent medical student organization, representing more than 68,000 physicians-in-training, urges the United States Senate to reject the nomination of Dr. James Holsinger to be the next U.S. Surgeon General.

A report, "The Pathophysiology of Male Homosexuality," prepared by Dr. Holsinger in January 1991, regards the sexual practices of homosexual men as biologically pathological that inherently lead to, "a diverse and expanded concept of sexually transmitted disease and associated trauma." The paper continues to state that men and women have a sexual "complementarity" that speaks for itself, comparing male and female reproductive organs to pipe fittings.

"It is unacceptable to permit a physician who furthers a position that runs so contrary to contemporary medical practice to serve as Surgeon General," says Daniel Murphy, AMSA legislative affairs director. "Even in 1991, Dr. Holsinger's paper was unscientific and decades out of date."

AMSA advocates for reducing the health disparities faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and opposes policies that discriminate against patients based on their sexual orientation and gender identity as well as policies that inhibit any population's access to quality care.

"The Office of the Surgeon General has a superb history of combating threats to public health, including smoking, obesity, and HIV/AIDS," states Dr. Michael Ehlert, national president of the American Medical Student Association. "To name a Surgeon General with an obvious ideological bias is insulting to the very purpose of the office and threatens its capacity to serve all Americans."

About the American Medical Student Association

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), with more than a half-century history of medical student activism, is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. With more than 68,000 members, including medical and premedical students, residents and practicing physicians, AMSA is committed to improving medical training as well as advancing the profession of medicine. AMSA focuses on four strategic priorities, including universal healthcare, disparities in medicine, diversity in medicine and transforming the culture of medical education. To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at http://www.amsa.org

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