U of M Professor Receives Master and Johnson Award for Lifetime Achievement

Eli Coleman Recognized for Advancement in the Treatment of Sexual Disorders 

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (April 10, 2009) - Eli Coleman, Ph.D., professor and director of the Program in Human Sexuality, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, will receive the Master and Johnson Award for lifetime achievement of excellence in clinical and/or research areas of sexual disorders. This award is given annually by the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR), an organization dedicated to fostering communication and an exchange of ideas among sexual health professionals. 

"Dr. Coleman is a giant in the field of Sexual Health. His research and clinical work have covered such diverse areas as compulsive-impulsive sexual behavior, transsexuality, male and female sexual function, and world-wide sexual health," said Bonnie Saks, M.D., SSTAR president "He is a voice of reason, tolerance, and mutual respect. His accomplishments are unsurpassed. He has been at the forefront of virtually every reputable sexual organization in the world, including building his own Program of Human Sexuality at the University of Minnesota. His incisive leadership and insight could lead us to a world of sexual sanity and celebration of diversity," Saks added. 

Coleman has been a pioneer in the field of human sexuality as a teacher, clinician, researcher, and advocate. Through the years he has developed the highest quality human sexuality education program for medical students, residents, and postdoctoral training for psychologists. The medical school curriculum is considered to be a premier course in the nation and serves as a model for other medical schools. Through his clinical work and research, Coleman has developed a number of internationally recognized models for the treatment of several types of sexual problems. He is one of the pioneers of gay affirmative therapy, and he was instrumental in exposing the "illness model" as outmoded, ineffective, and unethical in the late 1970s. He is best known for developing one of the most widely recognized models of the "coming out" process that helps individuals traverse the complex process of developing a positive and healthy sexual identity. He has also had a profound effect on the understanding and treatment of compulsive sexual behavior, sexual offenders, gender dysphoria, and sexual and intimacy dysfunctions in conjunction with chemical dependency. In addition to his immense authorial work, Coleman is also the founding editor of the International Journal of Transgenderism and is both the founding and current editor of the International Journal of Sexual Health. Some of his most significant advocacy work includes Sexual Health for the Millennium (2008) on behalf of World Association for Sexual Health, Promotion of Sexual Health: Recommendations for Action (2002) on behalf of Pan American Health Organization, and Call to Action: Promoting Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behavior (2001) on behalf of the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher. Coleman advocates that sexual health can not be achieved without sexual rights and these publications have had far reaching effect in defining sexual rights, sexual health, and public policy. 

In addition to the intellectual contributions Coleman has dedicated a great deal of time over the years to the growth of sexual health organizations. He currently serves as president of the International Academy for Sex Research and in May 2007 he was appointed the first Chair in Sexual Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School. 

This will not be the first time Coleman is an award recipient. He has been awarded the U.S. Surgeon General's Exemplary Service Award (2001), the Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award (2001) from the Society for the Scientific Study, The Alfred E. Kinsey Award by the Midcontinent Region of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (2001), and a Gold Medal for his lifetime contributions to the field of sexual health by the World Association for Sexual Health (2007). 

The Program in Human Sexuality is one of the largest clinical, teaching, and research institutions in the world specializing in human sexuality. Founded in 1970, PHS is part of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Each year the Program helps individuals, couples, and families attain sexual health through innovative therapies, education, research, and advocacy. 

The Academic Health Center is home to the University of Minnesota's six health professional schools and colleges as well as several health-related centers and institutes. Founded in 1851, the University is one of the oldest and largest land grant institutions in the country. The AHC prepares the new health professionals who improve the health of communities, discover and deliver new treatments and cures, and strengthen the health economy.

Contact: 
Jenae Batt, Program in Human Sexuality, 612-626-8311, jenae@umn.edu 
Lisa Simonson, Academic Health Center, 612-626-4784, simon473@umn.edu