Doctors Protecting Children Declaration

As physicians, together with nurses, psychotherapists and behavioral health clinicians, other health professionals, scientists, researchers, and public health and policy professionals, we have serious concerns about the physical and mental health effects of the current protocols promoted for the care of children and adolescents in the United States who express discomfort with their biological sex.

We affirm:

1. Sex is a dimorphic, innate trait defined in relation to an organism’s biological role in reproduction. In humans, primary sex determination occurs at fertilization and is directed by a complement of sex determining genes on the X and Y chromosomes.  This genetic signature is present in every nucleated somatic cell in the body and is not altered by drugs or surgical interventions
2. Consideration of these innate differences is critical to the practice of good medicine and to the development of sound public policy for children and adults alike.
3. Gender ideology, the view that sex (male and female) is inadequate and that humans need to be further categorized based on an individual’s thoughts and feelings described as “gender identity” or “gender expression”, does not accommodate the reality of these innate sex differences. This leads to the inaccurate view that children can be born in the wrong body.  Gender ideology seeks to affirm thoughts, feelings and beliefs, with puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries that harm healthy bodies, rather than affirm biological reality.
4. Medical decision making should not be based upon an individual’s thoughts and feelings, as in “gender identity” or “gender expression”, but rather should be based upon an individual’s biological sex. Medical decision making should respect biological reality and the dignity of the person by compassionately addressing the whole person.

We recognize:

1. Most children and adolescents whose thoughts and feelings do not align with their biological sex will resolve those mental incongruencies after experiencing the normal developmental process of puberty.

• • • Desistance is the norm without affirmation as documented by Zucker in his article “The Myth of Peristence”. (1)
      Zucker, KJ. The myth of persistence: Response to “A critical commentary on follow-up studies and ‘desistance’ theories about transgender and gender nonconforming children” by Temple Newhook et al. International Journal of Transgenderism. 2018: 19(2), 231–245. Published online May 29, 2018.http://doi.org/10.1080/15532739.2018.1468293 [1]
    • In the “largest sample to date of boys clinic-referred for gender dysphoria,” there was a desistance rate of 87.8%. (2)
      Singh D, Bradley SJ and Zucker KJ. A Follow-Up Study of Boys With Gender Identity Disorder. Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:632784. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.632784
    • The pro-affirmation Endocrine Society Guidelines (2017) admit: “…the GD/gender incongruence of a minority of prepubertal children appears to persist in adolescence.” (3)
      Hembree, W., Cohen-Kettenis PT, Gooren L, et al. Endocrine treatment of gender-dysphoric/gender-incongruent persons: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017; 102:1–35.
    • A longitudinal study from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands followed 2772 adolescents (recruited from a psychiatric clinic) from age 11 years through 22 – 26 years. “In early adolescence 11% of participants reported gender non- contentedness. The prevalence decreased with age and was 4% at the last follow-up (around age 26).” Even in this psychiatric patient study group for which interventions were not addressed, but “gender affirmation” is most likely, gender non-contentedness (essentially gender noncongruence) decreased substantially from early adolescence to young adulthood.(4)
      Rawee P, Rosmalen JGM, Kalverdiijk L and Burke SM. Development of gender non-contentedness during adolescence and early adulthood. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 2024; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-024-02817-5

2. Responsible informed consent is not possible in light of extremely limited long-term follow-up studies of interventions, and the immature, often impulsive, nature of the adolescent brain. The adolescent brain’s prefrontal cortex is immature and is limited in its ability to strategize, problem solve and make emotionally laden decisions that have life-long consequences.[2]
3. Sex-trait modification or “Gender affirming” clinics in the United States base their treatments upon the “Standards of Care” developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). However, the foundation of WPATH guidelines is demonstrably flawed and pediatric patients can be harmed when subjected to those protocols.

• • The two Dutch studies that form the foundation for treatment guidelines as documented in the WPATH “Standards of Care” guidelines version 7 (SOC 7) had serious flaws.[3]
  • These studies did show that the appearance of secondary sex characteristics in adolescents and young adults could be changed by hormonal and surgical interventions, but they failed to demonstrate meaningful long-term improvement in psychological well-being.
  • Scientific concerns with these studies also include a lack of a control group, small sample sizes, significant numbers of patients lost to follow up, and the elimination of patients who experienced significant mental illness from entering the studies.
  • It is concerning that the Dutch studies did not address complications and adverse outcome in the adolescent cohort that underwent transition. These complications included new onset diabetes, obesity and one death.[4]

4. There is now sufficient research to further demonstrate the failure of the WPATH, American Academy of Pediatrics and Endocrine Society protocols.

• • The Cass Review was released on April 10, 2024, as an “independent review of gender identity services for children and young people”. The following points are from Cass’s final report:[5]
    • Commissioned by the National Health Service (NHS) England, and chaired by Dr. Hilary Cass, the 388-page report utilized systematic reviews, qualitative and quantitative research, as well as focus groups, roundtables and interviews with international clinicians and policy makers.
    • As part of the evaluation, they reviewed the research on social transition, puberty blockers, and cross-sex hormones.
    • Social transition
      • “The systematic review showed no clear evidence that social transition in childhood has any positive or negative mental health outcomes, and relatively weak evidence for any effect in adolescence.
      • However, those who had socially transitioned at an earlier age and/or prior to being seen in clinic were more likely to proceed to a medical pathway.”
  • Puberty blockers
    • “The systematic review undertaken by the University of York found multiple studies demonstrating that puberty blockers exert their intended effect in suppressing puberty, and also that bone density is compromised during puberty suppression. However, no changes in gender dysphoria or body satisfaction were demonstrated [emphasis added].”
    • “There was insufficient/inconsistent evidence about the effects of puberty suppression on psychological or psychosocial wellbeing, cognitive development, cardio-metabolic risk or fertility.”
    • “Moreover, given that the vast majority of young people started on puberty blockers proceed from puberty blockers to masculinizing/ feminizing hormones, there is no evidence that puberty blockers buy time to think, and some concern that they may change the trajectory of psychosexual and gender identity development.”
  • Cross-sex hormones
    • “The University of York carried out a systematic review of outcomes of masculinising/feminising hormones.” They concluded, “There is a lack of high-quality research assessing the outcomes of hormone interventions in adolescents with gender dysphoria/incongruence, and few studies that undertake long-term follow-up. No conclusions can be drawn about the effect on gender dysphoria, body satisfaction, psychosocial health, cognitive development, or fertility.”
    • “Uncertainty remains about the outcomes for height/growth, cardio-metabolic and bone health.”
    • The Cass Review further stated, “Assessing whether a hormone pathway is indicated is challenging. A formal diagnosis of gender dysphoria is frequently cited as a prerequisite for accessing hormone treatment. However, it is not reliably predictive of whether that young person will have longstanding gender incongruence in the future, or whether medical intervention will be the best option for them.”
  • A 2024 German systematic review on the evidence for use of puberty blockers (PB) and cross-sex hormones (CSH) in minors with gender dysphoria (GD) also found “The available evidence on the use of PB and CSH in minors with GD is very limited and based on only a few studies with small numbers, and these studies have problematic methodology and quality. There also is a lack of adequate and meaningful long-term studies. Current evidence doesn’t suggest that GD symptoms and mental health significantly improve when PB or CSH are used in minors with GD.”[6]  

5. There are serious long-term risks associated with the use of social transition, puberty blockers, masculinizing or feminizing hormones, and surgeries, not the least of which is potential sterility.

• • Youth who are socially affirmed are more likely to progress to using puberty blockers and cross-sex (masculinizing or feminizing) hormones.
    • “Social transition is associated with the persistence of gender dysphoria as a child progresses into adolescence.”[7]
    • “Gender social transition of prepubertal children will increase dramatically the rate of gender dysphoria persistence when compared to follow-up studies of children with gender dysphoria who did not receive this type of psychosocial intervention and, oddly enough, might be characterized as iatrogenic.”[8]
  • Puberty blockers permanently disrupt physical, cognitive, emotional and social development.
    • Side effects listed in the Lupron package insert include emotional lability, worsening psychological illness, low bone density, impaired memory, and the rare side-effect of pseudotumor cerebri (brain swelling).[9]
    • A coalition of physicians and medical organizations from around the world submitted a petition to the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requesting urgent action be taken to eliminate the off-label use of GnRH (growth hormone) agonists in children.[10]
  • Testosterone use in females and estrogen use in males are associated with dangerous health risks across the lifespan including, but not limited to, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, heart attacks, blood clots, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.[xi]^,[12]
  • Genital surgeries affect future fertility and reproduction.

6. A report from Environmental Progress released on March 4, 2024, entitled “The WPATH Files” revealed “widespread medical malpractice on children and vulnerable adults at global transgender healthcare authority.”[13]

• • “The WPATH Files reveal that the organization does not meet the standards of evidence-based medicine, and members frequently discuss improvising treatments as they go along.”
  • “Members are fully aware that children and adolescents cannot comprehend the lifelong consequences of ‘gender-affirming care’ and, in some cases due to poor health literacy, neither can their parents.”
  • In addition, developmentally challenged and mentally ill individuals were being encouraged to “transition”, and treatments were often improvised.

7. Evidence-based medical research now demonstrates there is little to no benefit from any or all suggested “gender affirming” interventions for adolescents experiencing Gender Dysphoria. Social “affirmation”, puberty blockers, masculinizing or feminizing hormones, and surgeries, individually or in combination, do not appear to improve long-term mental health of the adolescents, including suicide risk.[14]
8. Psychotherapy for underlying mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and autism, as well as prior emotional trauma or abuse should be the first line of treatment for these vulnerable children experiencing discomfort with their biological sex.
9. England, Scotland, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland have all recognized the scientific research demonstrating that the social, hormonal and surgical interventions are not only unhelpful but are harmful. So, these European countries have paused protocols and are instead focusing on evaluating and treating the underlying and preceding mental health concerns.
10. Other medical organizations are adhering to the evidence-based medicine documented in the Cass Review Final Report.

• • The constitution of the National Health Service in England will be updated to state, “We are defining sex as biological sex.”[15]
  • The European Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry issued a document titled “ESCAP statement on the care for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria: an urgent need for safeguarding clinical, scientific, and ethical standards.”
    • In this paper, they stated, “The standards of evidence-based medicine must ensure the best and safest possible care for each individual in this highly vulnerable group of children and adolescents. As such, ESCAP calls for healthcare providers not to promote experimental and unnecessarily invasive treatments with unproven psycho-social effects and, therefore, to adhere to the “primum-nil-nocere” (first, do no harm) principle”.[16]

11. Health care professionals around the world are also acknowledging the urgent need to protect children from harmful “gender-affirming” interventions.

• • In a letter to the British newspaper, The Guardian, sixteen psychologists, some of whom worked at the Tavistock Center for Gender Identity Development Service, acknowledged the role clinical psychologists played in placing children on an “irreversible medical pathway that in most cases was inappropriate.”[17]
  • In the United States, a group of psychiatrists, physicians and other health care workers wrote an open Letter to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), calling on the APA to explain why it glaringly ignored many scientific developments in gender-related care and to consider its responsibility to promote and protect patients’ safety, mental and physical health.[18]

12. Despite all the above evidence that gender affirming treatments are not only unhelpful, but are harmful, and despite the knowledge that the adolescent brain is immature, professional medical organizations in the United States continue to promote these interventions. Further, they state that legislation to protect children from harmful interventions is dangerous since it interferes with necessary medical care for children and adolescents.

• • The American Psychological Association states it is the largest association of psychologists worldwide. The organization released a policy statement in February 2024 stating, “The APA opposes state bans on gender-affirming care, which are contrary to the principles of evidence-based healthcare, human rights, and social justice.”[19]
  • The Endocrine Society responded to the Cass Review by reaffirming their stance. “We stand firm in our support of gender-affirming care…. NHS England’s recent report, the Cass Review, does not contain any new research that would contradict the recommendations made in our Clinical Practice Guideline on gender-affirming care.”[20]

• • The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Board of Directors in August 2023, voted to reaffirm their 2018 policy statement on gender-affirming care. They did decide to authorize a systematic review but only because they were concerned “about restrictions to access to health care with bans on gender-affirming care in more than 20 states.”[21]
    • Of note, Dr. Hilary Cass called out the AAP for “holding on to a position that is now demonstrated to be out of date by multiple systematic reviews.”[22]

In Conclusion

Therefore, given the recent research and the revelations of the harmful approach advocated by WPATH and its followers in the United States, we, the undersigned, call upon the medical professional organizations of the United States, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the  Endocrine Society, the Pediatric Endocrine Society, American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry to follow the science and their European professional colleagues and immediately stop the promotion of social affirmation, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries for children and adolescents who experience distress over their biological sex.  Instead, these organizations should recommend comprehensive evaluations and therapies aimed at identifying and addressing underlying psychological co-morbidities and neurodiversity that often predispose to and accompany gender dysphoria. We also encourage the physicians who are members of these professional organizations to contact their leadership and urge them to adhere to the evidence-based research now available.

In the United States of America, on June 6, 2024, this declaration was authored and signed by the American College of Pediatricians and co-signed by:

Steven Albrechta, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Primary Care Sports Medicine, Ohio State University Sports Medicine

Jane E. Anderson, MD, FCP
Pediatrician
Vice President, American College of Pediatricians
Clinical Professor, Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco (retired)

Michael Artigues, MD, FCP
Pediatrician
President, American College of Pediatricians

Errol Baptist, MD
Physician, Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford
President, Rockford Guild, Catholic Medical Association

Jeff Barrows, MD
Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Senior Vice President of Bioethics and Public Policy, Christian Medical & Dental Associations

Thomas Benton, MD, MPH, FCP
Pediatrician
Board Member and Healthcare Conscience Council Chair, American College of Pediatricians
Co-Founder, American College of Pediatricians

Karl Benzio, MD
Psychiatrist
Chief Medical Officer, Honey Lake Clinic
New Jersey State Co-Director, American Association of Medical Ethics
Medical Director, American Association of Christian Counselors
Sexual and Gender Identity Task Force Member, Christian Medical &; Dental Associations
Physician Resource Council Member, Focus on the Family

Jonathan Berry, MD
Cardiologist
Advisory Board, North Carolina Physicians for Freedom

Jessica Bishop-Funk, DDS
Dentist
Advisory Board, North Carolina Physicians for Freedom

Darren Bodkin, MD
Neonatologist

David Bohle, MD
Cardiologist
Advisory Board, North Carolina Physicians For Freedom

Michael R. Bouchard, MD, PhD
Clinical Sexologist, Sexology and Psychology

Lisa Brandes, MD
Physician, Family Medicine
Board Member, American College of Family Medicine

Carl Brophy, MD
Assistant Professor, Family Medicine, Central Florida College of Medicine

Louis Brown, Jr., JD
Executive Director, Christ Medicus Foundation
Founding Board Member and Vice President of Public Policy, Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance

Oscar Brown, MD
Pediatrician
Retired, Part-time faculty at University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston

Greg Burke, MD
Physician, Internal Medicine
Co-Chair, Catholic Medical Association Ethics Committee

Michael Byrne, MD
Vascular Surgeon
Medical Director of Hospice of Southern Kentucky

Sr. Deirdre Byrne, MD
Physician, General Surgery and Family Medicine
Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts

Joshua Carr, PhD
Assistant Professor, Exercise Physiology, Texas Christian University

Katherine Carranza, MD
Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Costa Rica

Kelly Casey, MD
General Surgeon

Christina Chan, MD, MABHP, FIDSA, FA, FCP
Adult and Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist and Clinical Researcher
American College of Pediatricians

Mike Chupp, MD
General Surgeon
Chief Executive Officer, Christian Medical and Dental Associations

Paul Cieslak, MD
Physician, Infectious Disease
West Regional Director, Catholic Medical Association

Michelle Cretella, MD, FCP
Pediatrician
Adolescent Sexuality Council Co-Chair and Past Executive Director, American College of Pediatricians

Sharon Curtis, MD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Paul Dassow, MD, MSPH
Physician, Family Medicine
President, American College of Family Medicine

Arthur Delorimier, MD
Pediatric Gastroenterology
Director, Pediatric Gastroenterology, University of California, Davis

Mario Dickerson, MTS
Executive Director, Catholic Medical Association

Allen Donkin, MD
Physician, General Practitioner
First Do No Harm Southern Africa

Joe Dougherty, MD
Physician, Family Medicine
Board Member, American College of Family Medicine

Lisa Erhlich, MD
Physician, Internal Medicine

Matthew Eich, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon, retired, Mayo Clinic

Fred Fakharzadeh, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Chair, Catholic Social Teaching and Justice in Medicine Committee, Catholic Medical Association

John Falcon, M.S., MD
Physician, Emergency Medicine
Founding Physician, South Carolina Physicians for Freedom

Scott Field, MD, FCP
Pediatrician, Pediatric Clinical Researcher
Membership Committee Chair and Past Board Member, American College of Pediatricians

Steven Foley, MD
Obstetrician and Gynecologist

Francisco Bernardo Fragoso Gutiérrez, MD, PhD
Physician, Critical Care Medicine, Mexico

Sheila Furey, MD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Virginia Medical Freedom Alliance

Kenneth Gall, PhD
Medical Physicist, Tufts Medical Center

Salwa Gendi, MD, FCP
Pediatric Cardiologist, Associate Professor of Pediatric Cardiology
Board Member, American College of Pediatricians

Brooke Gensler, MD
Physician, Family Medicine
At-Large Board Member, Catholic Medical Association

Ernesto Gil Deza, MD
Clinical Oncologist, Argentina

Prof. Luis Giraldo-Cadavid, MD, PhD
Physician, Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine
Universidad de La Sabana, Fundacion Neumologica Colombiana, Colombia

Stanley Goldfarb, MD
Nephrologist

Russell Gombosi, MD, FCP
Pediatrician
Past Treasurer and Past Board Member, American College of Pediatricians

George Gonzalez, MD
Physician, Family Medicine
President, Christian Medical and Dental Associations

Diane T. Gowski, MD
Physician, Internal Medicine and Critical Care Medicine
Southeast Regional Director, Catholic Medical Association

Miriam Grossman, MD
Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist
Author, Lost in Trans Nation

Prof. James Grinols, MD
Pediatrician
Pediatrics, Liberty University

Joe Guarino, MD, MPH
Physician, Occupational Medicine
Board Member, North Carolina Physicians for Freedom

Eithan Haim, MD
General Surgeon

Donna Harrison, MD
Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Chair, Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine

Sr. Edith Mary Hart, RSM, DO, FAAFP
Physician, Family Medicine/Geriatrics
Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma

Nicole Hayes, MPA
Executive Vice President, American Academy of Medical Ethics

Laura Haygood, MD,
Dermatologist

Laura Haynes, Ph.D.
Executive Board, USA Country Representative, Chair-Science and Research Council,
International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice

Jim Heid, MD
Physician, Family Medicine
Board Member, American College of Family Medicine

Roy Heyne, MD
Pediatrician
Co-Chair, Education Committee, Catholic Medical Association

David Hilger, MD
Diagnostic Radiologist
Vice President, Catholic Medical Association

Marie Hilliard, MS, MA, JCL, PhD, RN
Co-Chair of the Ethics Committee, Catholic Medical Association
Senior Fellow, National Catholic Bioethics Center

Mark Hoch, MD, MDiv, DABIHM
Physician, Family Medicine, Holistic Medicine
Past President, American Holistic Medical Association
Masters of Divinity in Spiritual Ministry and Healing
Past Member of the Hospital Medical Ethics Committee

Alan Hopewell, PhD
Clinical Medical Neuropsychologist

Robert Howe, MD
Reproductive Endocrinologist

Jane Hughes, MD
Ophthalmologist
President, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons

Patrick Hunter, MD, MSC (Bioethics)
Pediatrician

Janet Hurley, MD
Physician, Family Medicine
Vice President, American College of Family Medicine

Mohamad Hussein, MD
Physician, Medical Oncology and Hematology
Professor of Medicine, University of South Florida

Thomas Jensen, MD
Endocrinologist
Assistant Professor
Denver Catholic Medical Association

Nicole M. Johnson, MD, DNBPAS
Independent Consultant, Pediatrics and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

Blaise Jones, MD
Professor, Pediatric Neuroradiology

Jeremy Jones, MD
Pediatrician
Associate Professor of Primary Care, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Patricia Lee June, MD, FCP
Pediatrician
Scientific Policy Committee Chair and Past Board Member, American College of Pediatricians

Rachel Kaiser, MD
Emergency Physician

David Kay, MD
Cardiologist
Medical Director, North Carolina Physicians for Freedom

Staci Kay, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Board Member, North Carolina Physicians for Freedom

Mary Keen-Kerchoff, MD, FCP
Pediatrician
Co-Chair, Education Committee, Catholic Medical Association

Chistopher Kolker, MD, FAAFP
Physician, Family Medicine/Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Clinical Instructor, Yale University
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Quinnipiac University
Assistant Professor of Nursing, Yale University

Michael K. Laidlaw, MD
Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism

Jane Hughes, MD
Ophthalmologist
President, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons

Patrick Hunter, MD, MSC (Bioethics)
Pediatrician

Janet Hurley, MD
Physician, Family Medicine
Vice President, American College of Family Medicine

Nicole M. Johnson, MD, DNBPAS
Independent Consultant, Pediatrics and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

Patricia Lee June, MD, FCP
Pediatrician
Scientific Policy Committee Chair and Past Board Member, American College of Pediatricians

David Kay, MD
Cardiologist
Medical Director, North Carolina Physicians for Freedom

Staci Kay, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Board Member, North Carolina Physicians for Freedom

Mary Keen-Kerchoff, MD, FCP
Pediatrician
Co-Chair, Education Committee, Catholic Medical Association

Michael K. Laidlaw, MD
Physician, Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism

Flavio Lacerda, MD
Physician, Internal Medicine, Brazil

Marian Laderoute, PhD
Medical Sciences-Immunology
Immune System Management, PHAC, and HC (retired), Canada

Jennifer Lahl, RN
Founder, The Center for Bioethics and Culture

Patricia Landry, MD
Physician, Family Medicine
Chair of the Physician Resource Council, Focus on the Family

John I. Lane, MD
Radiologist
Vice President, Federation Internationale des Associations de Médecins Catholiques
Past President, Catholic Medical Association

Erika L. LeBaron, DO, MSN
Physician, Family Medicine
President-Elect, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons

Prof. James Lee, PhD
Associate Professor, Psychology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Diana Lightfoot
Policy Director, North Carolina Physicians for Freedom

Katarina Lindley, DO
Physician, Family Medicine
President, Global Health Project and Texas Association of American Physicians and Surgeons

Deirdre Little, MD
Physician, GP Obstetrician
National Bioethics Convenor, Catholic Women’s League Australia, Inc, Australia

John Logan, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine

Edmund Lowrie, MD
Physician and Health Care Executive (retired)

Steven Lucking, MD
Physician, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine (retired)
Professor of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine (retired)

Katelyn Makar, MD
Physician, Plastic Surgery
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine

Edgar Manrique, MD
Anesthesiologist, Colombia

Fiona Mao, NP, PMHNP, FNP
Chief Executive Officer, Elevate Health Now

Gloria Marmolejo, PhD
Professor of Psychology, Winona State University

Martin McCaffrey, MD
Neonatologist
Professor of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Peter McCullough, MD, MPH
Cardiologist, Internal Medicine
President, McCullough Foundation

David McKalip, MD
Neurological Surgeon
President, Bartow County (Georgia) Medical Association

Joseph Meaney, PhD, KM
President, National Catholic Bioethics Center
Founding Board Member, Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance

Carrie Mendoza, MD
Physician, Emergency Medicine 
Director, Genspect USA

Rabbi Yaakov Menkin
Managing Director, Coalition for Jewish Values

Bradford Merrelli, MD
Physician, Family Medicine
Ascension Providence Rochester Board of Directors 2005-2019

Tim Millea, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Chair, Health Care Policy Committee, Catholic Medical Association

M. Shawn Morehead, MD, MPH
Physician, Family Medicine
Residency Director, Gadsden Regional Medical Center

Travis J. Morell, MD, MPH
Dermatologist
Chair, Colorado Principled Physicians

Julie Morgan, MD
Pediatrician

Peter Morrow, MD
Physician, Internal Medicine
Past President, Catholic Medical Association

Jennifer Roback Morse, Ph.D.
Founder and President, The Ruth Institute

Saturnino Nascimento Neto, MD
General and Digestive Surgeon, Brazil

Thomas Nelson, MD, MA
Psychiatrist, Consultation-Liason Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine
Emeritus Staff, Mayo Clinic

Michael Nowicki, MD
Pediatric Gastroenterologist
Professor of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center

Alfonso Oliva, MD, FACS
Surgeon, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Treasurer, Catholic Medical Association

Anthony Oliva, MD
General Surgeon
Northeast Regional Director, Catholic Medical Association

David Olson, MD, FCP
Pediatrician
Board Member, American College of Pediatricians

Stella O’Mally
Executive Director, Genspect

Jane Orient, MD
Physician, Internal Medicine
Executive Director, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons

Philip Overby, MD
Pediatric Neurologist
Associate Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics

Megan Pasookhush, PharD
Pharmacist
Board Member, North Carolina Physicians for Freedom

L. David Perry, MD, FCP
Pediatrician
Board Member, American College of Pediatricians

Spencer Phelps
Director, Office of Clinical Research, Trinity Health New York Region

David Pickup, LMFT-S
Psychotherapist, Gender/Sexuality
The Alliance

Robin Pierucci, MD, FCP
Neonatologist
Board Member and Pro-Life Council Co-Chair, American College of Pediatricians

Thomas M. Pitre, MD
Urologist
Past President, Catholic Medical Association

Matthew R. Porter, MD, FAAFP
Physician, Family Medicine
Treasurer, American College of Family Medicine

Gloria Portilla, MD
Physician, Bioethics
Fundación Ventris/ Custodiandovidas, Colombia

Karin Quiero-Flory, MS
Educational and Clinical Psychologist
VozconCiencia (Voice with Science) Asociación of Catholic Psychologist)), Chile

Samuel “Bose” Ravenel, MD
Pediatrician
Advisory Board, North Carolina Physicians for Freedom

Kathleen Raviele, MD
Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Past President, Catholic Medical Association

Nora H. Riani-Llano, MD
Pediatrician, Bioethics
Colombia

Michael Robb, MD
Oto-Neurologist
Past President, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons

Rene Ricardo Rodriguez Olivares, MD
Cardiologist
Instituto National Cardiovascular INCOR, Peru

Prof. David Roll, PhD
Professor Emeritus of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Roberts Wesleyan University

Sven Román, MD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Senior Consultant, Sven Román AB, Sweden

Michael Romanelli, MD
Cardiologist
Clinical Professor of Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine

Prof. Charles Romig, LMFT
Professor Emeritus Marriage and Family Therapy (retired)

Christopher Rosik, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Past President, Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity
Member, American Psychological Association

Steven Roth, MD
Anesthesiologist
Chairman, Coalition for Jewish Values Healthcare Council

Stephen Sammut, PhD
Neuroscience
Professor of Psychology, Franciscan University of Steubenville

Nathan Samora, MD
Urologist
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Richard W. Sams II, MD
Physician, Family Medicine, MA (Ethics)
Board Member, American College of Family Medicine

Richard H. Sandler, MD, FCP
Pediatric Gastroenterologist
Treasurer and Pro-Life Council Co-Chair, American College of Pediatricians
Professor of Pediatrics, University of Central Florida

Emily Saunders
Network Director, North Carolina Physicians for Freedom

Jeffrey Sarinover, MD, PhD
Psychiatrist
Managing Director, Sterling Institute for Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Medicine

Weston Saunders, MD
Physician, Family Practice
Medical Director, North Carolina Physicians for Freedom

Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld
President, Coalition for Jewish Values

Bob Schucts, PhD
Marital and Family Therapist (retired)
Founder, John Paul II Healing Center

Mike Semelka, DO
Physician, Family Medicine
Board Member, American College of Family Medicine

Janae Shamp, RN
Perioperative Nurse
Senator, Arizona State Senate

Bryan C. Shen, MMSAC
Registered Counsellor and Supervisor, SAC
Board Member, International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counseling Choice

Prof. Emerson Silva, Md, PhD
Pediatrician, Brazil

Jill M. Simons, MD, FCP
Pediatrician
Executive Director, American College of Pediatricians

Ingrid Skop, MD
Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Vice President and Director of Medical Affairs, Charlotte Lozier Institute

Franklin Smith, MD
Urologist
President, Milwaukee Guild of the Catholic Medical Association

Dr. Andrew Sodergren
Clinical Psychologist
Director of Psychological Services, Ruah Woods Institute

Kevin Speight, MD
Anesthesiologist
North Carolina Physicians for Freedom

Dr. Jillian Spencer
Psychiatrist
Queensland Children’s Hospital, Australia

Michelle Stanford, MD, FCP
Pediatrician
President, Catholic Medical Association

Lisa Stewart, CPA
Chief Executive Officer, Honey Lake Clinic

Kristin Strange, MD
Pediatrician
Advisory Board, North Carolina Physicians for Freedom

Raphael Stricker, MD
Physician, Internal Medicine
Medical Director, Union Square Medical Associates

Rev. D. Paul Sullins, Ph.D.
Research Professor of Sociology, The Catholic University of America
Senior Research Associate, The Ruth Institute

Katy Talento, ND
Naturopathic Doctor
Chief Executive Officer, AllBetterHealth

David Tomasi, MA, MS, PhD
Clinical Psychologist, Neuroscience
Professor, Doctor, Researcher
Vermont State Colleges, Vermont Academy of Arts and Sciences, Community College of Vermont

Prof. Luke Torre
Intensive Care Doctor, Professor
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Australia

Angela Thompson, MD
Obstetrician and Gynecologist

Craig Treptow, MD
Physician, Family Medicine
Immediate Past President, Catholic Medical Association

Den Trumbull, MD, FCP
Pediatrician
Board Member, American College of Pediatricians
Co-Founder, American College of Pediatricians

Kimberly Vacca, MD, FCP
Pediatrician
Secretary, American College of Pediatricians

Jonathan VanGeest, PhD
Professor of Health Policy and Management, Kent State University

Quentin Van Meter, MD, FCP
Pediatric Endocrinologist
Adolescent Sexuality Council Co-Chair and Past President, American College of Pediatricians

Andre Van Mol, MD
Physician, Family Medicine
Sexual & Gender Identity Task Force Co-Chair, Christian Medical and Dental Associations
Christian Medical & Dental Associations and American Academy of Medical Ethics Transgenderism Scholar

Miroslav Verner, MD
Medical Doctor, Internal Medicine, Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine
Hospital Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic

Felipe Vizcarrondo, MD, MA
Pediatric Cardiology, Bioethics
Associate Professor, Institute for Bioethics and Social Policy, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Florida

Cristl Ruth Vonholdt, MD
Pediatrician (retired)

Deanne Waldman, MD
Pediatric Cardiologist, Healthcare Policy
Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Decision Science
Former Director of Center for Healthcare Policy, Texas Public Policy Foundation (retired)

Tessa Walters, MD
Anesthesiologist

Ron Waterer, MD
Physician
Advisory Board, North Carolina Physicians for Freedom

James Weidner, MD
Pediatrician
New Jersey State Co-Director, American Academy of Medical Ethics
President, South New Jersey chapter of Christian Medical and Dental Associations

David Westbrock, MD
Physician, Endocrinology and Metabolism
Member, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons

Steven White, MD
Pulmonologist
President, Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance
Past President, Catholic Medical Association

Donna Whittington, RN
Registered MH Nurse
NHS (retired), United Kingdom

William Williams, MD
Physician, Internal Medicine
Editor in Chief Emeritus, the Linacre Quarterly
Member, Catholic Medical Association

Ilene Yohay, MD
Endocrinologist
University of Chicago

Joseph Zanga, MD, FCP
Pediatrician
Founding President, American College of Pediatricians

Nancy Zeitoun, MD
Physician, Hospital Medicine
Director, Saint Francis Hospital and Heart Center, Catholic Health

Arina Grossu Agnew, MA, MS
Fellow, Center on Human Exceptionalism, Discovery Institute
Founder and Principal, Areté Global Consulting

Paul Ashby, PhD
Staff Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Jennifer Bauwens, PhD
Director of the Center for Family Studies, Family Research Council

Prof. Christopher Blackwell, PhD
Louis G. Forgione University Professor, Furman University

Erin Brewer, PhD
Advocates Protecting Children

Rev. Michael Brown, MA
Pastor, United Reformed Churches in North America

Dean Broyles, Esq.
President and Chief Counsel, The National Center for Law & Policy

Vernadette R. Broyles, Esq.
President and General Counsel, Child & Parental Rights Campaign

Alexandra Cardona, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Osceola County School District

Eileen Christian, Esq.
Vice President, Advocates Protecting Children

Gabrielle Clark
Founder, Affirming Reality

Prof. Marco Colombini, PhD
Professor Emeritus, Membrane Biophysics, University of Maryland

Andrew Comiskey, MDiv
Founding Director, Desert Stream Ministries

Katie Comisky, MA
Director at Large, Desert Stream Ministries

Robert M. Copeland, PhD
Professor Emeritus, Geneva College

Gregg Cunningham
Retired Attorney, Bioethics
Center for Bio-Ethical Reform

Rev. Daniel Deyell, MA
Pastor Emeritus, Lutheran Church, Canada

Chris Elston
Billboard Chris, Canada

Theresa Farnan
Fellow, Person and Identity Project, Ethics and Public Policy Center

Abigail Foard, MA, LPC
Associate Director, Desert Stream Ministries

Gilberto A. Gamboa Bernal, MS, PhD
Bioethicist, Universidad de La Sabana
Editor, Persona y Bioética, Colombia

Lori Gimelshteyn
Executive Director, Colorado Parent Advocacy Network

Simone Gomez
Change the Story, Australia

Diane Gramley
President, American Family Association of Pennsylvania

Vermelle Greene, PhD
Executive Director, Vision: Concepts in Education, LLC

Glenn Gruenhagen
Senator, Minnesota State Senate

Mary Rice Hasson, JD
Director, Person and Identity Project, Ethics and Public Policy Center

Tiffany Justice
Co-Founder, Moms for Liberty

Jacqueline Kay
Our Duty UK, United Kingdom

Anna Kerr
Principal Solicitor, Feminist Legal Clinix Incorporated, Australia

Meg Kilgannon
Senior Fellow for Education Studies, Family Research Council

Liv Levey
Detransitioner

Jaimee Michell
Founder and President, Gays Against Groomers

Roland Millare, Dr.
Vice President of Curriculum, Director of Clergy Initiatives, St. John Paul II Foundation

Nicholas Molinari, PhD
Adjunct Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, Salve Regina University

Caitlin Neal-Karhut
Detransitioner

Rachael Nelson
Outreach Coordinator, Libertarian Institute

John Paulton
Vice President, State Alliances, Family Policy Alliance

Amy Reynolds
Detransitioner
Director of Content, Gays Against Groomers

Eine Ricklon
Detransitioner, Sweden

Gheorghe Rosca
Pastor, Protect Our Kids

Judith Rose
Secretary of the Board, Gays Against Groomers

Martha Shoultz, Esq.
Attorney and Board Member, International Partners for Ethical Care

Hannah Smith
Founding Director, Liberty & Justice for All

Joshua & Naomi Stringer
Co-Founders, Will Pen for Change, LLC

Wendy Terry
President, Outpost Ministries

Randy Thomasson
Founder and President, Campaign for Children and Families, SaveCalifornia.com, SaveAmerica.com

Ken Williams
Co-Founder, CHANGED Movement

Jolene Wojcik
Executive Director, Central Catholic Development Foundation

Rev. Elizabeth Woning
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs, CHANGED Movement

Christopher Yuan, DMin
Speaker, Author (Holy Sexuality and the Gospel), Producer (The Holy Sexuality Project, holysexuality.com) Holy Sexuality

Jozef Zalot, PhD
Director of Education, The National Catholic Bioethics Center