Doctoral students learn anatomy from body donors

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students at the University of North Georgia (UNG) begin their time in the program by examining donated cadavers to learn about human anatomy, but they also gain respect for the donors.

This summer, eight third-year DPT students serve as teaching assistants in the anatomy class taught by Dr. Eunse Park, an assistant professor of physical therapy who oversees the Movement Science Lab at UNG. Regan Rhodes of Statesboro, Georgia, is one of the assistants.

"It's a learning experience like no other," Rhodes said. "You can't replicate it."

The Department of Physical Therapy puts the anatomy lab classes in the first year to lay a foundation for students. They don't have to imagine what is taught in class, as they receive a real-world context in the beginning. The doctoral students start with anatomy lab in the summer and work in the lab for the following spring semester in their neuroscience course.

UNG is also able to have biology and criminal justice students observe human organs and brains through the lab.

Dr. Susan Klappa, department head and professor of physical therapy, said many DPT programs lean mostly on technology for teaching anatomy, but UNG benefits greatly from the lab.

"You have something concrete to understand the relationships in the musculoskeletal and nervous systems by having these hands-on experiences," Klappa said.

Park, the teaching assistants and the students see the donors' death certificates and a little bit of biographical information before they work with the bodies. How to handle the donor's body in a respectful manner is part of the course, Park said.

"It's very weighty walking into that lab the first time and seeing the tables and the body bags and knowing these are all real people," Rhodes said. "We think of them as a teacher. It keeps their personhood on your mind."

It isn't easy to find words to express gratitude enough for their sacrifice. All of us have received great grace that cannot be paid back to them. Perhaps the best way to repay their favor is to share the knowledge gained through them with those in need, as if they gave us the last things they had.

Dr. Eunse Park

Assistant professor of physical therapy

"They get a good appreciation of the structures of the body that become impaired in different ways."

UNG receives new donors each year. Park said it is up to him and the students to take every opportunity to learn throughout their time with the donors.

"It isn't easy to find words to express gratitude enough for their sacrifice. All of us have received great grace that cannot be paid back to them," Park said. "Perhaps the best way to repay their favor is to share the knowledge gained through them with those in need, as if they gave us the last things they had."