The Program in Human Sexuality (PHS) celebrated 50 years of revolutionizing sexual and gender health with a virtual gala on Thursday, May 20, 2021. If you were not able to attend, you can view the recording here. Watch for a surprise appearance by Dean Tolar! PHS was able to not only meet but surpass its fundraising goal of the evening, thanks to the generosity of donors like the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Thank you to Dr. Jim Pacala for joining the hosts live on stage for an exciting announcement!

At the conclusion of the end of the event, the PHS announced that it had achieved institute status at the University of Minnesota Medical School. With this elevated status, PHS is announcing a rebranding and subsequent name change. The Program in Human Sexuality is now the Institute for Sexual and Gender Health (ISGH).

This name change reflects the academic excellence and clinical growth built over the past 50 years. The Institute for Sexual and Gender Health's clinical enterprise serves thousands of individuals, couples, and families throughout the Midwest. Their research and educational endeavors influence international, national, and local policy.

 

Institute for Sexual and Gender Health symbol

Debuting with the new name is a symbol intended to highlight ISGH's multidisciplinary approach to sexual and gender health:

—Circle: Develop, provide and promote evidence-based best clinical care.
—Hourglass: Advancing groundbreaking discovery through bio-psycho-social gender and sexuality research.
—Triangle: Advocating for sex and gender rights.
—Rectangle: Advancing a nationally and internationally-recognized center for sexual and gender health education.

These elements come together to create the symbol that reflects the work being done at the newly named Institute for Sexual and Gender Health. 

Read the press release.