The Center for Sexual Health Promotion was proud to host Karen L. Parker, Ph.D., M.S.W. at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington on April 4, 2019. Dr. Parker currently serves as Director of the Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office (SGMRO) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), situated within the NIH Office of the Director. She was instrumental in the formation of the office in the fall of 2015 and was appointed as Director in 2016. The office coordinates NIH research related to the health of sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals across the NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices. She also has served as co-chair of the trans-NIH Sexual and Gender Minority Research Coordinating Committee (RCC) since its inception in 2011.
In her talk, Dr. Parker provided an overview of SGMRO and current NIH-sponsored research and training opportunities related to SGM health (broadly defined and relevant to all departments and disciplines within the IU SPHB). Dr. Parker has long been a tireless voice on the diverse health issues affecting SGM communities and the need for initiatives to support NIH-funded work in this area. In addition, she is a native Hoosier and proud alumna of Indiana University. We are so grateful to Dr. Parker and all the amazing work she does for SGM health researchers every day.
Please click on the following link to enjoy Dr. Parker's presentation, "Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research at the National Institutes of Health: Past, Present and Future Directions." We are so grateful to the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington Office of the Dean for assistance in arranging and coordinating Karen's visit, particularly Amy Oakley and Dean David Allison.
Drs. Parker, Dodge and Herbenick at the iconic Sample Gates
Dr. Parker Speaks to IU SPHB Doctoral Students
Dr. Parker Speaks to IU SPHB Doctoral Students
Dr. Parker Meets with IU Provost Lauren Robel
Enjoying Dinner with Drs. Carrie Docherty, Lucia Guerra-Reyes, Karen Parker, Hank Green, Jon Macy, Brian Dodge, Debby Herbenick, IU Trustee Donna Spears, and Beth Meyerson
Dr. Parker's Presentation on Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research at the National Institutes of Health (link above)