The children’s hospital that was home to the largest pediatric gender clinic in America appears to be moving away from its controversial medical director.
The Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) has taken down the profile of Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy, who previously served as the medical director of its gender clinic. Olson-Kennedy had been administering puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to children for 16 years, was considered a “national expert” in gender medicine, and led the “largest transgender youth clinic in the United States,” as stated in her previously available profile that was last saved in theinternet archiveon July 11. In addition to Olson-Kennedy’s profile being taken down, thewebpagethe Olson-Kennedy research laboratory has been eliminated and she is no longer recognized as an active provider within the hospital’s medical staffdatabase.
Olson-Kennedy served as the project head for a prolonged National Institute of Health (NIH) initiative.studyon the effects of using puberty blockers on the mental health of children who are confused about their gender. She controversially kept the study results hidden when they indicated that puberty blockers did not enhance the mental well-being of these children, fearing the data could be “used against” her, according toreportingIn October 2024 by The New York Times. Apreprintthe study was released in May 2025.
CHLA shut the doors of itsTransyouth Health and Development Clinicon July 22, in response to President Donald Trump’sexecutive orderprohibiting the use of federal funding to support gender reassignment for children, according toarchived messageon its gender clinic website.
“Although the hospital remains strongly dedicated to aiding LA’s gender-diverse population, it now faces no other option but to shut down the Center for Transyouth Health and Development, starting July 22, 2025,” the gender clinic noted on its website.
The message continued, stating that center team members were deeply saddened by the decision announced by hospital leaders, who noted that it was not taken lightly, but resulted from a comprehensive legal and financial evaluation of the growing effects of recent administrative actions and proposed policies.
CHLA did not reply to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s repeated attempts to verify Olson-Kennedy’s employment status. Olson-Kennedy also did not respond to the DCNF’s inquiries for a statement.
A medical oversight group named Do No Harm has included the CHLA gender clinic among the “12 most problematic children’s hospitals offering gender transition treatments to minors” in its report.Stop The Harma database that offers details on the services available at pediatric gender clinics throughout the United States.
“I believe we are preventing many children from experiencing significant harm,” said the Chairman of the Do No Harm Board.Dr. Stanley Goldfarb told the DCNF.
“That’s the core issue. There is no proof that these actions enhance a child’s mental health, and there is substantial evidence that they can be damaging,” Goldfarb said.
CHLA was among over 20 hospital systems that ceased offering child gender-affirming treatments following an executive order issued by President Trump, as reported on July 25.press release from the White House.
Olson-Kennedy is facing legal action formedical malpracticeby detransitioner Kaya Clementine Breen, who claims in a legal case that she was “fast-tracked” onto a “conveyor belt” of damaging gender-affirming treatments under Olson-Kennedy’s supervision at the CHLA gender clinic. Breen received puberty blockers when she was 12, cross-sex hormones at 13, and underwent a double mastectomy at 14, as per her current case.lawsuitthat was submitted in December 2024.
“Dr. Olson-Kennedy also advised [Breen] to undergo a double mastectomy. Similar to how she deceived and pressured Clementine and her parents into beginning testosterone treatment, Dr. Olson-Kennedy once again misled them by highlighting the supposed necessity of this drastic procedure at an early stage,” claims the lawsuit. “She asserted that if Clementine had a double mastectomy at a young age, the recovery would be simpler, and that waiting any longer would make it impossible to perform correctly,” the lawsuit adds.
Olson-Kennedy is a memberThe World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), a medical group that has lost credibility and is currently under investigation by the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). WPATH’s clinical guidelines, known as the Standards of Care, have been utilized by healthcare systems, governments, and insurance companies to shape policies related to gender transition. The Trump administration has labeled WPATH’s medical recommendations as “junk science” and advised healthcare professionals to steer clear of them when caring for patients.
“President Trump is fulfilling his commitment to safeguard children from harmful gender transitions,” stated Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, head of the HELP Committee, on August 19.press release.
“As the head of the HELP Committee, I will keep collaborating with the President to prevent the chemical and surgical harm done to our children,” Cassidy added.
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