Former U. S. Surgeon General David Satcher today applauded the University's commitment at a national conference on sexual health. "The University of Minnesota's endowed chair in sexual health offers an important contribution in the field of public health. By providing science-based research, I believe we can work toward promoting sexual health and responsible sexual behavior." The conference, The Call to Action on Sexual Health: Science and Belief - Seeking Common Ground, is being held today at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. In 2001, Satcher released The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Promote Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behavior.
Also participating in today's conference is Eli Coleman, Ph.D., director of the University's Program in Human Sexuality in the Medical School's department of family practice and community health. Coleman describes the program, home to the new chair, as one of the oldest, largest, and well-recognized human sexuality centers in the country. "The Program in Human Sexuality at the University of Minnesota has been on the cutting edge of research, education, and patient care for 35 years. While Minnesotans have a tradition of modesty, we also have a tradition of strong public health informed by science and guided by principles of equity and social justice."
One of the chair's donors, Michael Ross, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.H.P.Ed., professor of public health at the University of Texas, believes the endowed chair will inspire other universities to follow suit. "The field of sexuality has become a mainstream one in psychosocial and medical research and this endowed chair, in one of the most prestigious programs in human sexuality in the world, sets the arena and the standards for other universities to follow."
The Academic Health Center is home to the University of Minnesota's seven health professional schools and colleges as well as several health-related centers and institutes. Founded in 1851, the University is one of the oldest and largest land grant institutions in the country. The AHC prepares the new health professionals who improve the health of communities, discover and deliver new treatments and cures, and strengthen the health economy.
Founded in 1939, the Minnesota Medical Foundation raises $55 million annually for health-related education and research at the University of Minnesota. Through Campaign Minnesota, which concluded on June 30, 2003, the Foundation raised more than $516 million, exceeding its $500 million goal. For more information about the Foundation, visit http://www.mmf.umn.edu/.