Enduring legacies through body donation

“Anatomical gifts are central to the education of physicians, dentists, nurses, physical and occupational therapists and practitioners. Choosing to donate ensures continual improvement of patient care and enhanced prevention and treatment of medical conditions and diseases.” – Danielle C. Davis, director Anatomical Services, Body Donation Program

Few gifts are as profound and selfless as the gift of body donation. These amazing donors establish a legacy that endures for generations, helping to create compassionate health care professionals and leaving an indelible mark on the future of medicine.

“I cannot express how grateful we are to our donors and their families,” says Danielle C. Davis, director of Anatomical Services and the Body Donation Program, which began in the 1950’s at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. “Their gifts are such noble expressions of their passion for advancing medical science to benefit humankind.”

Understanding the intricacies of the human body leads to groundbreaking advancements in medical science. Individuals who donate their bodies to medical education and research are essential to helping our learners, physicians and researchers in the College of Medicine gain the knowledge they need to better treat patients and to develop leading-edge discoveries.

As director of the Body Donation Program, Davis plays a critical role in the Morgue and Cadaveric Dissection Program at the college. She works to balance the registration and intake of donors, prep and stage embalming, and distribute the prepared cadavers to the numerous dissection courses and programs offered at Ohio State.

In 2024, in recognition of her ability to create a positive, mission-oriented environment while performing such emotionally complex duties, the Ohio State College of Medicine awarded Davis the inaugural Dean’s Excellence Emerging Staff Leader Award. Carol R. Bradford, MD, MS, FACS, dean of the Ohio State College of Medicine, says Davis’s peers nominated her for the award because they believe her positivity and calm disposition helps them, the program and the college achieve their shared goals.

“I am so proud of Danielle and the absolutely vital work she is doing through our Body Donation Program,” Dr. Bradford says. “Her optimism and expertise have helped this important program thrive and provide an unmatched educational experience for our learners. The opportunity to study the human body from real-life examples is truly irreplaceable.”

Davis says faculty in the College of Medicine use various technologies that depict the anatomy of the human body, such as 3D models and anatomy simulation software, but nothing compares to the direct experience a learner gets when they work with a donor.

One learner remarked on how this profound gift helps in the effort to transform health care for future generations: “Even in their passing, they wanted to continue to help others. They had the foresight to ensure they would be able to, with the most selfless gift they could offer: their body.”

Davis says each donor and family is appreciated and treated with the utmost compassion, care, dignity and respect.

“Their gifts are teaching the next generation and will live on forever,” she says.

Learn more about our Dean's Excellence Award winners.