Despite President Trump’s efforts to rein in gender ideology, major healthcare organizations continue to push forward with significant initiatives aimed at expanding child transgender services, particularly through multi-million dollar training programs backed by philanthropic contributions, according to official documents.
The American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation introduced a LGBTQ Medical Fellowship in 2021, which involved a grant of $750,000. This funding was directed to academic centers that train physicians to support transgender youth by starting hormone therapies and offering specialized medical education for transgender surgical care. Institutions like University of Wisconsin Madison, Harvard Medical School, Vanderbilt University, and Mount Sinai partnered with the AMA Foundation to create this fellowship, which tracks transgender patients through surgical transitions and provides medical services at child gender clinics.
On September 10, 2025, the Harvard Medical School was highlighted on the LGBTQ+ Fellowship Program’s website, indicating that participating doctors would focus on “pediatric and adolescent transgender health care” at Boston Children’s Gender Diversity Services. Curiously, after an inquiry from DCNF, this information was removed from the site, and there was no follow-up from the program’s leadership.
There’s a growing concern among critics that normalizing these treatments—encouraging confused children to embark on hormone therapies and surgical procedures—could be harmful. Some, like Dr. Ellett, have even received awards for their efforts in promoting health equity for marginalized groups, indicating a broader push within the medical community.
The AMA Foundation didn’t offer a comment when approached by DCNF, and silence was similarly observed from other entities involved.
In the meantime, several medical schools, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Harvard, are receiving funding to enhance LGBTQ health training. There’s a bit of controversy surrounding the validity of the methods these institutions employ, with critics labeling them as “junk science.” The clinics are working under guidelines set by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), which some argue lack foundational evidence, particularly regarding treatments for children.
For instance, the clinics advocate for a range of services, spanning from simple observation to aggressive interventions like hormone therapy.
Additionally, Dr. Brittany Allen, co-medical director at UW’s pediatric gender clinic, has contributed to the curriculum for the LGBTQ fellowship, which emphasizes identifying children suitable for hormonal treatments. Critics argue that the actions being taken may stem from political pressure rather than medical necessity.
Despite requests for input, neither Vanderbilt University, UW Health, nor Dr. Allen responded.
Moreover, there’s scrutiny about the AMA’s funding sources, totaling $15,815,180 from federal health agencies since 2020. This funding is ostensibly aimed at improving public health infrastructure, yet it’s raised questions about the alignment of such projects with broader medical practices focused on health rather than ideology.
In an executive order dated January 20, 2025, President Trump prohibited utilizing federal funds for fostering gender ideology, which also extends to initiatives aimed at equity and inclusion.
As a result, there are voices, including those from medical professionals like Goldfarb, warning that this focus on identity politics in healthcare could distract hospitals from their primary mission, which is to treat illnesses rather than engage in political advocacy.
Goldfarb remarked on the increasing trend where healthcare institutions invest significant resources into politically charged initiatives instead of traditional medical care options that are starving for attention and funding.
