This special interest group (SIG) focusses on the specifics for creating, running and enhancing willed body donor programs for providing cadaveric material to medical and medically-related health programs (dentists, PTs, PAs, OTs, etc.).  The SIG has two general groups within it although there is considerable overlap of interest:  program administrators that oversee or run a willed body donor program, and anatomical preparators - the individuals that embalm and provide top quality cadaveric material for specific courses offered by their institution.   The set-up, administration, and scope of responsibilities of either of these two groups within these programs nationwide varies widely from institution to institution, but the all have similar goals, interests  and concerns.

Both program administrators and anatomical preparators today have advanced knowledge and expertise.  Either group of individuals may have responsibilities that include some or all of the following:  program administration, resource management, as well as specialized skill and expertise in embalming and anatomical preparations for medical teaching and research study using a variety of techniques, such as polymer impregnation (plastination).  The members of this SIG will tackle issues of current and future interest to enlighten and inform all those with an interest in Willed Body Donor Programs.

This page is relatively new and will continue to develop over the next few months, as we get requests from the SIG organizers and members.    Watch this site as things develop and are put into place.  The individuals who have expressed an interest among this group, within the Association, for developing a Willed Body Donor SIG agenda for future meetings are:

-  John Dolph ( dolph@mymailstation.com )

-  Vinnie Ruggiero ( vruggier@aecom.yu.edu )

-  Alan Sarafinchan ( alsarafi@med.ualberta.ca )

-  Brandi Schmitt  ( bjschmitt@ucdavis.edu )

-  Pamela Thomas ( pthomas@uhs.edu )

-  Ronn Wade ( rwade@som.umaryland.edu )

 

Links from this page to other areas of interest to SIG members are:

-   AACA Position With Regard to Body Donation:

-   Willed Body Donor SIG Listserve *

-   Willed Body Donor Member Database *

-   Other sites of interest

* - indicates a restricted access to Association members and their Program personell - contact the web master for membership and the password)

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AACA Position With Regard to Body Donation:

In an official memorandum adopted by the American Association of Clinical Anatomists--May 31, 1990  and published in Clinical Anatomy  4(3):232, 1991, the Association went on record as expressing concern  regarding ". . . independent entrepreneurs, acting as third-party brokers by supplying fresh tissues for clinical workshops and certain donor programs that appear to be operating for budget enhancement.  We are concerned because their acts likely betray the trust of the donors themselves and jeopardize the reputation and integrity of all donor programs.

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