Starting in 2027
Why consider donating your body for medical education and research?
Whole body donation is critical to the effective teaching of human anatomy to medical and other health professions students, such as physician associates, physical therapists, and nurses. Future health care professionals need to have a comprehensive knowledge of anatomy to effectively help their patients. This includes understanding anatomical variation between individuals, changes that occur during development and aging, process of healing, and the effects of pathological conditions on everyday function. Donors are the “first patient,” of the health care professionals in the anatomy laboratory and impart lessons useful throughout the career of the individuals who work and learn from them. Ultimately, patients are the beneficiaries of knowledge acquired by working with an anatomical donor.
Will the “D,” on my driver’s license enroll me in whole body donation?
No, the “D,” gives priority to tissue and organ transplants. A separate application process is used to enroll in whole body donation. However, it is possible when the circumstances of death and medical history preclude using the potential donor for transplant purposes, and thus the individual may then be accepted into a willed body program.
Who may donate?
Donors must be aged 18 or older and complete the online registration form. The donor’s form and signature must be witnessed (by next of kin, preferably), and they are encouraged to inform their family of their wishes. Next of kin may also authorize the willed body donation of their deceased family member.
Will my body always be accepted into the willed body donation program?
Providing acceptance criteria are met, including proportionate height-weight, and a clear toxicology screen (including at least HIV, HEP, TB, MRSA), the donation will be accepted. Other criteria for consideration are that there should be no recent major surgical procedures or acute trauma that would impede anatomical study and teaching.
Is there a cost associated with whole body donation?
If the anatomical donor is located within 60 miles of Laramie, WY, there is no cost to the donor family. Beyond this, the funeral home arranging transportation to Laramie will charge a one-way fee for donor transportation to Laramie. No other costs will be borne by the donor family.
What is the schedule of donor use?
After a donor is accepted into the University of Wyoming’s Willed Body Donation Program, they are assessed with a toxicology screening, embalmed and assigned for use by WWAMI medical education students or other University programs for a maximum of 24 months. At the end of their usage, the donor may be cremated and returned to their family or returned in a sealed casket for burial. In the instance of return in a sealed casket, there may be a charge to the family.
Additional questions?
Feel free to contact Cam Walker, Ph.D., Clinical Professor, WWAMI Medical Education Program.
Email: cam.walker@uwyo.edu
Office: (307) 766-6751
We anticipate having our program running early in 2027 and will post an online registration form and other information at or before that time.
The University of Wyoming has earned its Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing Wyoming's only four-year university with the top research universities in the United States.