Body Donation at Mayo Clinic

Anatomy is the study of the structure and function of the human body. It is one of the most important courses in the education of physicians, physical therapists and all other health care professions. The study of anatomy comes early in the medical curriculum and serves as the foundation for other courses. Further, physicians in residency training and those in practice often pursue special courses in anatomy to enhance their skills and learn new techniques. Body donation plays a critical role in helping medical and health-related science students to master the complex anatomy of the human body and provides researchers with an essential tool for discoveries to help patients.

Mayo Clinic accepts whole-body donations for the purposes of medical education, research, surgical training, and the development, testing, training of new surgical devices and techniques. In addition to being used for teaching medical and other health profession students, bodies donated to Mayo Clinic's program are used by research physicians in developing new surgical procedures, such as developing new arthroscopic surgeries; knee, ankle, and shoulder joint research; plastic surgery procedures including flap reconstruction for cancer and trauma victims; surgical approaches to various internal organs; and many other surgical and medical procedures. At the rate medical science is advancing, physicians and other biomedical scientists must increasingly conduct special anatomical studies and research.

Anatomical donations are greatly appreciated. Each contributes directly to new understandings. The need is great, and each gift is valued and honored. Mayo Clinic students and staff treat each donor with the utmost respect and dignity. Each year, to show their appreciation to the donors and their families, Mayo Clinic students and researchers participate in a Convocation of Thanks service. This service honors this precious gift to Mayo Clinic and thanks each donor family.

Mayo Clinic has an informational packet that explains the details of body donation. To obtain this packet, call (507) 284-2693.