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PREFACE
Formal medical training in human anatomy is the foundation for a doctor's skill
and knowledge. Serious and dedicated study of the human body is absolutely
essential in order to develop the professional competence health professionals
must have to provide quality health care for all.
Citizens of West Virginia realize that to donate one's body to the health
sciences is a noble, compassionate and humanitarian gesture. The benefits to
mankind are very real. After death, the body can become a source of learning for
others.
WHO MAY DONATE
Any person 18 years of age or more may be a donor.
COSTS
In accordance with State statue, Marshall University School of Medicine makes no
payment for body donations. This policy is standard throughout the United
States. This is strictly a donation program. However, unlike some institutions,
we do pay for transportation, embalming and cremation.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Because the donor's body must be delivered to the School of Medicine as soon as
possible, it is not possible to have funeral services with the body present. It
is appropriate to have a memorial service without the body present. A memorial
service may be arranged by the donor or the donor's family with a clergy or
funeral director.
CREMATION
The Section of Anatomyhas the body cremated after it
has been used for medical education. The ashes are interred in a local cemetery.
If a donor prefers to have the ashes returned to the family or a designated
recipient, the Human Gift Registry should be notified.
MEMORIAL SERVICES
Once a year a memorial service for all those persons whose bodies were received
during the year is held at the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center of the West
Virginia University . Invitations to this memorial service are sent by the Human
Gift Registry of Marshall University to the families of its donors.
DONATIONS NOT ACCEPTED
The School of Medicine cannot accept an autopsied body or one that is unsuitable
for medical education and research.
HOW TO DONATE
Donation forms are available from the Human Gift Registry, Marshall University
Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, 1542 Spring Valley Drive, Huntington, WV
25704-9388. The donor should complete the form, have it witnessed by two people,
and return it to the Human Gift Registry. Upon receipt of the completed form,
you will be mailed a wallet card identifying you as a donor of the Human Gift
Registry. This card should be carried with you at all times.
If you visit and stay with friends and family in other parts of the country, you
may want to register with a donor program in that area as well.
PROCEDURE AT THE TIME OF DEATH
The person legally responsible for the donor's body should contact the Human
Gift Registry at Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine (304)
696-7382 during working hours. After hours and weekends, David G. Amos of
Rollins Funeral Home should be contacted at (304) 412-1903, (304) 413-0918 or
(304) 453-1751.
The body is not to be autopsied or embalmed before it is received by the School
of Medicine or the mortician.
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