Through the University of South Alabama Anatomical Gifts Program, your donation not only educates medical students in their first year of medical school, but assists physicians in their research to advance medical treatment and technology. All members of the community benefit from your selfless gift.
Procedure For Donating
One’s Body To The Anatomical Gifts Program
1. An individual at least 18 years of age and of sound mind may make a donation
2. The donation is made by simply filling out the forms provided by us, having them properly witnessed by two other persons, and returning one copy to us for our records.
3. We will then send you a card that should be carried with you at all times.
4. Inform a member of your family or close friend (generally whoever will be the executor of your estate) of your intention in this matter so that someone can ensure that your wishes are carried out after your death.
“You think about the donors and why they decided to donate their bodies. You wonder about them and what kind of lives they led.”
— Heather Lewis, fourth-year medical student

“I can’t imagine learning anatomy in any other way. The human body is so complex and unique, and you can’t get that from a book. There’s no book and no author who can capture anatomy like that.”
— Adam Anz, second-year medical student
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  • Education and Research
    Bodies are used to train medical students in anatomy and practicing physicians in new medical procedures, as well as for physician research projects. Medical students, graduate students, physician assistants and physical therapists use the bodies to learn human anatomy in greater detail than learning from a textbook alone. Residents in orthopaedic surgery and gynecology also receive more specific training when they study the human body.
  • Respectful Treatment
    Bodies donated to the program are treated with utmost care and respect. They are introduced to the class as their first patients. The students behave professionally, and are grateful to the donors for furthering their medical careers.
  • In Memoriam
    After the studies are complete, the body will be cremated and the ashes interred by the University in Pine Crest Cemetery West. The ashes may also be returned to the donor's family at their request. The Anatomical Gifts Program holds a memorial service every two years to honor the lives of donors. It also gives students and faculty the opportunity to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the families of the donors.
  
  “We’d like to think that our physicians have learned where the various parts of the body are before they start trying to figure out where everything is on the patients. People who make donations to the program understand there’s no better way to train the physicians of tomorrow.”
— Dr. Glenn Wilson, Chairman, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience
   
  If you are interested in becoming a donor or would like more information on the program, please contact:
 
Glenn Wilson, Ph.D.
Chairman, University of South Alabama
Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience
Telephone: (251) 460-6764
FAX: (251) 414-8241
E-mail: gwilson@usouthal.edu
or
USA Anatomical Gifts Program
(251) 460-6764
 
University of South Alabama - Mobile Alabama 36688-0002 / 1 (251) 460-6101
For questions or comments Contact Us
Last date changed: July 20, 2004 3:40 PM
http://www.southalabama.edu/com/anatomicalgifts/program.html
College of Medicine