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Dr. Jessica Byram is an Assistant Professor of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiology at Indiana University School of Medicine. She is also the Assistant Director of the Phase 1 Curriculum, which includes all courses that are required for first and second year students.

Documents received exclusively by Fox News show students in a first-year “Human Structure” course—co-taught by Dr. Jessica Byram and Dr. Valerie O’Loughlin—are subjected to diversity, equity, and inclusion curriculum.

Fox News reports, “Students in the class receive a ‘sex and gender primer’ lesson that includes instruction on gender being a ‘social construct,’ that sex and gender are not the same thing, and on how to be a ‘more inclusive’ healthcare professional when it comes to ‘gender diverse patients.’”

The presentation also addresses how students can be mindful of “sexual and gender diverse patients” by using “inclusive terminology.” Students are encouraged to “use appropriate pronouns (default to they/them)” and to “use non-gendered, person-first and anatomy-specific language.”

The full presentation can be viewed here.

The description for the “Human Structure” course says its objectives align with the IU School of Medicine MD Curriculum Competencies and Institutional Learning Objectives. These competencies include seven different areas of focus, including “Health Equity, Advocacy and Leadership.”  The goals for this area of focus include:

 

Published – March 20, 2023