Harvard Medical School has postponed an online transgender health course following allegations that it waived course fees for transgender and gender-diverse doctors. The course, “Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health: A Core Course for the Whole Care Team,” which is developed by the Fenway Institute and accredited by Harvard Medical School, was reportedly set to begin this academic year but has been delayed. The school did not specify the reason for the postponement, though it stated it remains committed to ensuring its courses comply with applicable laws.
The three-day postgraduate program, which has been offered for 11 years, is designed to provide clinicians and healthcare professionals with knowledge on delivering high-quality care to transgender and gender-diverse individuals. The course includes didactic presentations, panels from experienced clinicians, and interactive discussions on gender-affirming care. Despite the postponement, the description of the course remains available on the Harvard Medical School website.
Reports from National Review suggest that the course had initially planned to waive the $650 fee for transgender and gender-diverse doctors, sparking legal concerns. Harvard’s administration emphasized its adherence to legal standards in its statement, though details on the legal basis for the delay remain unclear. The school has not provided further clarification on whether the course will be rescheduled or if the fee waiver issue has been resolved.
While the postponement has not affected the course’s availability for other participants, the controversy has raised questions about institutional policies on access and equity in medical education. Critics argue that the fee waiver policy could be seen as discriminatory, while supporters view it as an effort to increase access to critical training for marginalized healthcare professionals.