1. Incorporating Cadavers into the Virginia Community College System Julie Little Virginia Highlands Community College How I did it…

2. A brief history:  Students requested cadavers to enhance A & P  Conducted a blind online search went nowhere because I was totally ignorant went nowhere because I was totally ignorant no clues to be found on how to get a cadaver no clues to be found on how to get a cadaver couldn’t even figure out how many colleges in the VCCS use cadavers!! couldn’t even figure out how many colleges in the VCCS use cadavers!! Current use of cadavers - Piedmont Community CollegeCurrent use of cadavers - Piedmont Community College In near future - Lord Fairfax Community CollegeIn near future - Lord Fairfax Community College Anybody else??Anybody else??

3. History, cont.  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) http://www.hapsweb.org/ http://www.hapsweb.org/  HAPS Institute courses offered through HAPS for graduate credit fromcourses offered through HAPS for graduate credit from the University of Washington the University of Washington took BIO 505D: Using Cadavers to Teach Anatomy and Physiologytook BIO 505D: Using Cadavers to Teach Anatomy and Physiology 24 class participants from 10 different states gathered in Grand Rapids Michigan to discuss cadaver use, lab design,24 class participants from 10 different states gathered in Grand Rapids Michigan to discuss cadaver use, lab design, hands-on cadaver time, etc. hands-on cadaver time, etc. received invaluable information from the students in the class using cadavers (different state laws, problems, solutions)!received invaluable information from the students in the class using cadavers (different state laws, problems, solutions)! went back to Virginia and started my questwent back to Virginia and started my quest

4. Sequence of steps:  Get administrative support  Research on cadaver maintenance  Research lab safety  Secure a space  Locate lab equipment that fits your space!  Secure funding  Get a cadaver

5. Administration  You need support!  How will the benefits of cadaver-use (student learning enhancement) outweigh the financial costs?  The key is to benefit a program, not just the students taking a single class. Potential programs: mortuary science, physical therapy, nursing Potential programs: mortuary science, physical therapy, nursing

6. VCCS classes that could/do use cadavers:  BIO 141-142 Human Anatomy and Physiology  BIO 299 – Supervised Study (1-5 credits), may be repeated for credit  BIO 145 – Human Anatomy and Physiology for the Health Sciences  BI0 151-152 – Human Gross Anatomy I and II -. (Prerequisite: BIO 141.) BIO 141BIO 141 Laboratory 3 hours per week. Laboratory 3 hours per week. 1 credits 1 credits

7. Research, research, research…  Most inclusive route (but costly)– take a class titled “Using Cadavers to Teach Anatomy and Physiology” with experienced cadaver-using faculty through HAPS-I  For background research/student experience (very costly) - take a college-level gross anatomy course  Join HAPS (cheaper but not as easy) Much information posted on the website Much information posted on the website through the Cadaver Use Committee through the Cadaver Use Committee Cadaver-use surveys, how to design aCadaver-use surveys, how to design a cadaver lab, wetting solutions, etc. cadaver lab, wetting solutions, etc.

8. Dedicated space!  Always easiest to design a cadaver lab when the building is being renovated or first built  If you have to modify a building, Godspeed! Pulls in the need for additional administrative and state support Pulls in the need for additional administrative and state support  At VHCC: started with a large vacant lab that needed modification (failed miserably), switched site to newly renovated A & P lab (space limited and not secure), ended up in the closet (better than nothing)!

9. Dedicated space, cont.  Will you have to move the cadaver?  Will you have a separate cadaver lab?  Who will have access to your cadaver?  Will the equipment you order fit through the door?!  Will your space always be your space?  Visualize every detail to make sure your space is sufficient!

10. Small details not to be overlooked…  Who (and how) will you get your cadaver to the crematory?  Who will pick up your HAZMAT?  How long will you keep your cadaver?  What will happen if you have enough funding for the cadaver maintenance at first but then the inevitable (state wide budget cuts) happens?  Will you be allowed to charge student lab fees? (goes back to administrative support)

11. Funding  VCCS mini-grants (ex. summer stipend for 1 st dissection) Reassigned time stipends “should be used to explore, experience, reflect upon, ingest, and apply new knowledge that you would otherwise not have had the time to pursue and/or apply. A request for three credit hours of reassigned time would be considered for grant activities that require at least forty-five hours of work.” http://www.vccs.edu/FacultyStaff/ProfessionalDevelopme nt/Grants/ProfessionalDevelopmentGrants/tabid/375/Def ault.aspx#Descrip Reassigned time stipends “should be used to explore, experience, reflect upon, ingest, and apply new knowledge that you would otherwise not have had the time to pursue and/or apply. A request for three credit hours of reassigned time would be considered for grant activities that require at least forty-five hours of work.” http://www.vccs.edu/FacultyStaff/ProfessionalDevelopme nt/Grants/ProfessionalDevelopmentGrants/tabid/375/Def ault.aspx#Descrip http://www.vccs.edu/FacultyStaff/ProfessionalDevelopme nt/Grants/ProfessionalDevelopmentGrants/tabid/375/Def ault.aspx#Descrip http://www.vccs.edu/FacultyStaff/ProfessionalDevelopme nt/Grants/ProfessionalDevelopmentGrants/tabid/375/Def ault.aspx#Descrip  Equipment Trust Fund (ETF) – for cadaver trays, refrigerator, all cadaver lab equipment over $500  Perkins – use of cameras and other technology allows use of technology funding

12. Where to get your cadaver!  Step one: Prepare an official letter of request to the Virginia State Anatomical Program including: Prepare an official letter of request to the Virginia State Anatomical Program including: A resumeA resume Your intentionsYour intentions Name your local crematoriumName your local crematorium What type of cadaver you need (male/female, embalmed/unembalmed)What type of cadaver you need (male/female, embalmed/unembalmed)  Step two: Call the Virginia State Anatomical Program in Richmond and speak with Sam Perry phone: 804-786-2479 Email: ocme_cent@vdh.state.va.us phone: 804-786-2479 Email: ocme_cent@vdh.state.va.usocme_cent@vdh.state.va.us

13. What to expect:  The cadaver is delivered to you (embalmed/unembalmed) at your request We are lucky! Many professors use their own personal cars to pick up cadavers! We are lucky! Many professors use their own personal cars to pick up cadavers! Cadaver will be delivered within two weeks Cadaver will be delivered within two weeks  You get an informational packet including the name, first of kin, cause of death, age, etc. (confidential information for your use only)  You get cremation certificate for future use  You get a handy tips sheet

14. Costs:  Cadaver – currently $850  Set-up – my costs are still building >6,000  Maintenance – wetting solutions, gloves, dissecting tools, etc.  highly variable cost