About Us
Medical Institute for Sexual Health is a nonprofit health organization that equips people worldwide with medically accurate information to make well-educated decisions about their sexual health. Founded on the core principles of integrity and accuracy, our team disseminates the most up-to-date research and resources available to equip policymakers, educators, and families to make informed and healthy choices.
As a trusted leader for over three decades, we are committed to educating — not dictating — and our focus is on providing access to relevant information for all. Rooted in science and embedded in research, our work is an essential resource amidst today’s misinformation on sexual health concerns. We are not just any medical institute; we are the Medical Institute for Sexual Health.
Our History
Medical Institute for Sexual Health (MI) was founded in Austin, Texas in 1992 by Joe S. McIlhaney, Jr., MD, a prominent obstetrician/gynecologist and infertility specialist. In the 1980’s, Dr. McIlhaney observed that many women needed infertility and cancer treatments resulting from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) they had acquired years earlier. While doing research for a women’s healthcare book, he had recognized the extraordinary magnitude of the STD epidemic. He founded MI in response to these observations.
What began as an education presentation at a local high school evolved into a growing nonprofit organization with national and international influence. MI has been a leading voice providing medically accurate, research-based sexual health information to diverse audiences, ranging from healthcare professionals and educators, to policymakers, parents, and youth. MI conducts outreach through conferences, trainings, brochures, videos, and books.