Dr. Sam Hawgood, chancellor of the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), faced pointed questions from lawmakers on Tuesday regarding UCSF's guidelines that advise against using the term 'pregnant women' in medical education. During a House hearing on the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in medical schools, Hawgood was asked by Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois about the school's "Framework for Gender and Sex Concepts in Teaching."
Miller questioned the distinction between 'pregnant women' and 'pregnant people,' the latter being the preferred term in the UCSF guide. Hawgood stated that the curriculum aims to help students serve a diverse patient population and that he personally uses the term 'pregnant women.' He also acknowledged that transgender individuals can become pregnant.
When pressed by Miller and Rep. Randy Fine of Florida on whether individuals who are not biologically female can become pregnant, Hawgood reiterated that transgender people can. Fine further inquired about the definition of a transgender woman, to which Hawgood responded that the university's approach is to address transgender patients. The exchange occurred during a hearing titled “Training Activists, Not Physicians: The Impact of DEI on Medical Schools.”
Dr. Steve Dubinett, dean of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, also faced similar questions from Miller. Citing Hawgood's response, Dubinett indicated that UCLA treats transgender patients and declined to provide a simple yes or no answer when asked if someone with a uterus but who is not a woman could become pregnant. Both universities were contacted for comment by The California Post.