Osteopathic Intelligence Blog

At Kansas City University (KCU), the Gift Body Program is a cornerstone of medical education, providing an invaluable resource for students to learn anatomy through hands-on experience with real human donors. Often referred to as “silent teachers,” these donors play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of medical professionals by offering a unique, intimate and profoundly humanistic learning experience.

For Janice Wang, a medical student and anatomy fellow at KCU, the decision to join the anatomy fellowship was driven by her deep passion for teaching and research. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, she moved to the U.S. for her education, completing her undergraduate studies at Johns Hopkins University before enrolling at KCU, where she is also pursuing a Master of Arts in Bioethics.

“The anatomy fellowship is a super interesting opportunity,” Wang said. “I really enjoy teaching, and it’s a great opportunity to have a teaching fellowship alongside doing some research.”

Wang is particularly interested in how cadaveric labs influence medical students’ empathy. She is currently conducting a study to explore how the experience of dissecting a human body impacts students’ emotional responses and empathy toward future patients.

“Cadaveric lab can sort of affect an individual’s empathy… It’s a lot of people’s first encounter with the idea of death and dying, and it’s a very impactful first encounter,” she said.

The Power of Human Connection in Anatomy Education

One of the most compelling aspects of learning anatomy through physical dissection, as opposed to virtual reality (VR), is the connection to a real human being with a unique story.

“Anatomy never really exists in an isolated form… The anatomy that we will encounter will always be tied to a human being who has a story,” Wang emphasizes.

The presence of physical reminders of a donor’s individuality—such as brightly colored nail polish, a tattoo or even a medical device—serves to reinforce the humanistic side of medicine.

“As much as students try to depersonalize the donors’ remains, the donors may find many ways to reassert their individuality,” Wang said. This connection between the donor and the student fosters a deeper understanding of the human condition, advancing professionalism and humanism in medical education.

“Anatomy lab ultimately is a tool for the advancement of professionalism and humanism alongside anatomical education,” she said.

Robert Hillard, MD, chair of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, who oversees the anatomy lab at KCU’s Joplin campus, underscores the irreplaceable value these labs offer.

“Cadavers provide hands-on experiential learning, allowing students to gain insight and understanding of 3D spatial orientation and the relative size of structures,” he said.

This experience is essential for students, helping them develop a familiarity with human tissues that is crucial for future medical procedures and surgeries. “Students develop a tactile familiarity with tissues—learning what a vessel or a nerve feels like to the touch.”

The anatomy labs, with over 50 donors between KCU’s Kansas City and Joplin campuses, go beyond classroom learning. They also support significant research initiatives that contribute to the broader medical field.

According to Hillard, “Cadaveric specimens are invaluable for research. With over 50 cadavers, we can investigate anatomical variations in gender, age and pathological conditions.”

These research projects might focus on rare pathological conditions seen in donors, explore variations in anatomy connected to clinical outcomes or contribute valuable data to procedures like transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

One of the key advantages of KCU’s cadaveric anatomy lab is its ability to connect research directly to clinical practices. “Our research connects to clinical ideas,” Hillard notes, highlighting studies on the aorta’s ostia and how they relate to TAVR procedures, which help predict patient outcomes.

But beyond the technical skills and research opportunities, KCU’s anatomy labs impart a deeper, more humanistic lesson. Each cadaver is treated with the utmost respect, viewed as the students’ first patient, and recognized for the incredible gift they’ve given to medical education.

“The anatomy lab is sacred ground, a first resting place for these individuals,” Hillard emphasizes. This perspective is reinforced throughout the academic year, culminating in a memorial service where students express their gratitude and empathy for the donors and their families.

At Kansas City University, the cadaveric anatomy lab is more than just a place to learn—it’s where future physicians cultivate the skills, knowledge and humanistic qualities that will define their medical careers.

Raising Awareness and Respect for the Gift Body Program

Whitney Gilmore, anatomical lab coordinator at KCU, is passionate about raising awareness of the Gift Body Program and its significant contributions to medical education and research.

“We can’t just say, hey, we’re a gift body program. Send your loved one to us… I’m really wanting to bring awareness in the community for the donation program and the work for cadaveric research that the fellows and faculty do,” Gilmore said.

Gilmore also works to change the perception of cadaveric research, emphasizing its critical role in advancing medical knowledge. “It’s not scary. It’s not creepy. This is how medical study has advanced throughout history—through cadaveric research.”

The program is accessible to everyone, with no cost to donors or their families, making it a viable option for those who might not be able to afford traditional funeral expenses.

Confidentiality and respect are paramount in the Gift Body Program. Donors’ identities are kept strictly confidential, with only basic information such as height, weight, age and cause of death provided to students.

“It’s completely anonymous; students don’t know their name, date of birth or date of death,” Gilmore said.

KCU is committed to honoring the invaluable contributions of these silent teachers. By choosing KCU, you’ll be part of a program that goes beyond traditional education to instill professionalism, empathy and humanism in medicine. To learn more about the Gift Body Program, click here. To explore how KCU can help you take the next step in your medical career and make a lasting impact on the future of health care, click here.