GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Members of Thiel College’s inaugural class of Master of Science in physician assistant studies added to their unique legacy as the first class with their dedication of a plaque recognizing the gifts to science donors made for the College’s anatomy lab.
George Hanak, M.D., director of the cadaver lab and Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies, collaborated with the students to bring the dedication to fruition. He worked with Katarina Lewis M.S.’23, who proposed the dedication based on her personal experience. He said Alaina Bailey M.S.’23 was instrumental in getting the plaque made.
“Having the opportunity for our students to experience and learn about the human body with the use of cadavers is priceless,” Hanak said.
Lynn Williams, M.D., Thiel College physician assistant program medical director and Associate Professor, said the lab is an important contribution to the students’ development academically and emotionally.
“It is a wonderful privilege when we, as healthcare providers, are able to be taught anatomy in a human cadaver laboratory. No virtual dissection table or computer program can replace the hands-on learning and appreciation for human variation and pathology made possible by the generous gift of human donors,” she said. “As instructors, it is so rewarding to see how students respect and appreciate the individuals who have donated their bodies for medical education, and to their families for supporting them in this decision.”
Lewis was 12 when her father passed away from pancreatic cancer. She said he donated his body to medicine. Both his passing and his donation are what inspired her to study medicine and help lead this dedication.
Bailey said the anatomy lab and her experiences with it brought the significance of the donation into focus.
“It didn’t hit me until I was exposed: How much courage it takes to make that decision (to donate),” she said.
A cadaver lab, also known as a cadaver dissection lab or anatomical dissection lab, is a facility where healthcare professionals, learn human anatomy through the dissection of cadavers.
“I am grateful to the College for supporting the establishment of a cadaver lab during the founding of this program,” Williams said. “At a time when many programs are moving toward virtual learning, I am pleased that Thiel offers our PA students the same wonderful educational experience as those of us who trained in medicine long ago.”
In a cadaver lab, students gain hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the human body’s structure, organization, and variability. Cadavers are typically donated by individuals who have agreed to contribute their bodies to medical science after their death. These donations play a crucial role in advancing medical education and research. Thiel’s cadaver lab is tightly regulated to ensure respect for the donors and maintain ethical standards and students adhere to codes of conduct and professionalism while working in these labs.
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