James Dennis Fortenberry

Dr. J. Dennis Fortenberry is a distinguished Professor of Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine, where he served as Division Chief from 2015 to 2020. He also holds an adjunct appointment in epidemiology at the Fairbanks School of Public Health and is an integral member of the Center for Sexual Promotion at Indiana University. A respected figure in adolescent health and sexual health research, Dr. Fortenberry has made significant contributions to the field through both his clinical practice and academic pursuits. Dr. Fortenberry's professional affiliations reflect his leadership and dedication to sexual health and adolescent medicine. He is actively involved in various prestigious organizations, including the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, the Society for Adolescent Health & Medicine, the International Academy for Sex Research, the American STD Association, and the Society for Scientific Study of Sex. Additionally, he has held notable leadership roles, serving as past president of both the International Academy for Sex Research and the American STD Association, as well as chairing the Board of Directors of the American Sexual Health Association. His expertise has been acknowledged through numerous accolades, such as the American STD Association Achievement Award (2009), the Society for Adolescent Health & Medicine Lifetime Achievement Award (2014), and the Society for Scientific Study of Sex Lifetime Contributions Award (2017). In addition to these honors, Dr. Fortenberry has received the Trustee Teaching Award twice (2007 and 2015) for his dedication to education and mentorship. Clinically, Dr. Fortenberry is the director of the Child and Adolescent Gender Health Program at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, where he focuses on providing comprehensive care to transgender and gender nonbinary youth. His research interests span adolescent health, sexual health, sexually transmitted infections, HIV prevention and treatment for youth, and the unique health challenges faced by transmasculine youth. Dr. Fortenberry's scholarly contributions are vast, with over 350 publications, including peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and commentaries. His research has been continuously supported by federal funding since 1987, reflecting his ongoing commitment to advancing knowledge in his field. Notable publications include studies on sexual consent and pleasure among college students, pathways to parenthood for bisexual individuals, and investigations into the relationships between trust and sexual health. Educationally, Dr. Fortenberry holds a Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma State University (1975), an MD from the University of Oklahoma (1979), and completed his residency at Bryn Mawr Hospital and the University of Oklahoma. He later earned an MS from the University of Oklahoma in 1989. Dr. Fortenberry’s work addresses critical issues in adolescent and sexual health, particularly among marginalized and vulnerable populations. His dedication to improving health outcomes for young people and his extensive contributions to research make him a prominent and influential figure in his field. Dr. J. Dennis Fortenberry is Professor of Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine. He served as Division Chief from 2015 – 2020. He also holds an adjunct appointment in epidemiology in the Fairbanks School of Public Health and is a member of the Center for Sexual Promotion at Indiana University. Dr. Fortenberry is a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, the Society for Adolescent Health & Medicine, the International Academy for Sex Research, the American STD Association, and the Society for Scientific Study of Sex. He is past president of the International Academy for Sex Research, and past-president of the American STD Association, a fellow of the Society for Scientific Study of Sex, and past chair of the Board of Directors of the American Sexual Health association. His contributions have been recognized by the American STD Association Achievement Award in 2009, the Society for Adolescent Health & Medicine Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014, and the Society for Scientific Study of Sex Lifetime Contributions Award in 2017. Clinically, Dr. Fortenberry directs the Child and Adolescent Gender Health Program at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. His research program has five major elements: adolescent health, sexuality and sexual health, sexually transmitted infections, HIV prevention and treatment for youth, and research on transmasculine youth. Dr. Fortenberry has received Federal research support continuously since 1987 and has published more than 350 commentaries, book chapters and peer-reviewed papers.