Chair on Sexuality and Religion Created At Morehouse School of Medicine

It may seem like an unlikely pairing, sexuality and religion, but not to Dr. David Satcher, the 16^th Surgeon General of the United States.

“We had ministers involved in developing the surgeon general’s report on sexual health,” says Satcher.

That was a 2001 report, TheCall to Action to Promote Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behavior which Dr. Satcher issued as surgeon general.

Traditionally, there’s been an uncomfortable desire to merge religion and sexuality.

Satcher says it’s time, “really move beyond that and to better prepare both ministers and physicians to deal with issues that relate to human sexuality, the needs are tremendous.”

Satcher adds the discussion about religion and sexuality is critical to educating future doctors.

Developing the training and education modules around the two will be led by the new chair.

That includes issues such as sexually transmitted diseases, contraception and rape prevention.

Satcher is hopeful the new chairperson will be an expert in religion but also with an interest in human sexuality.

“We also want someone who’s really comfortable working with medical students and public health students and working with our leadership development program.”

So now the task of finding the right chairperson will begin with a national search and that could take time.

The new chairperson, who will also report to Dr. Satcher, must share the mission of the Morehouse School of Medicine.

That mission says Satcher “relates to targeting underserved communities, the reduction and elimination of disparities in health.”

2-million dollars has already been raised for the new chair on sexuality and religion.