Debra Hendrickson vs. transgender people

by Andrea James Reviewed September 20, 2026 2 min read

Debra Hendrickson is an American author, environmentalist, and retired pediatrician who co-authored a 2022 resolution on trans healthcare for minors submitted to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Co-authors included two members of anti-trans hate group Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine.

Background

Debra Jo Hendrickson was born in December, 1959. According to a self-published biography, Hendrickson earned a bachelor’s degree from Brown University in 1983, then worked in Ecuador for ten years as an environmental analyst and planner before entering medical school at University of Nevada, Reno. Hendrickson earned a medical degree in 2004. Hendrickson completed a pediatrics residency at UC Davis in 2007.

Hendrickson practiced at Northern Nevada Pediatrics from 2007 to 2024.

Hendrickson is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Nevada School of Medicine.

Hendrickson is a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics, a member of the AAP’s Council on Environmental Health, and a founding member of Nevada Clinicians for Climate Action.

Hendrickson is author of the 2024 book The Air They Breathe: A Pediatrician on the Frontlines of Climate Change.

Hendrickson is the single parent of three children.

AAP Resolution 27

Emboldened by the Cass Review interim report, on April 1, 2022, anti-trans activist Julia Mason and four other AAP members sponsored Resolution 27. It proposed that the AAP commit to creating their own version of the Cass Review: “in a fashion similar to the Cass Review that was commissioned by the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, [AAP] will undertake a rigorous systematic review of available evidence regarding the safety, efficacy, and risks of childhood social transition, puberty blockers, cross sex hormones and surgery.” The five authors were later revealed to be:

Paula Brinkley
Debra Hendrickson
Patrick Hunter (SEGM, Catholic Medical Association)
Julia W. Mason (SEGM)
Sarah B. Palmer

References

Estacio, Ericka (November 5, 2025). UNR Med distinguished alumna studies the impact of climate change on children’s health. University of Nevada Reno / Nevada Today https://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/news/2025/dr-hendrickson-25-distinguished-alumni

Reed, Erin (August 9, 2022). Florida Moves To Detransition Trans Teens. Erin In The Morning https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/florida-moves-to-detransition-trans

Kemp, Carla (August 15, 2019). Environmental planner turned pediatrician to discuss children’s health in warming world. AAP News https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/8991/Environmental-planner-turned-pediatrician-to?autologincheck=redirected