Due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19 pandemic, the Willed Body Program of the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine will temporarily close and will be unable to accept body donations as of the close of business Monday, July 10, 2023, until further notice. We wholeheartedly apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. We urge donors and/or their loved ones to look for alternative arrangements at this time. If a donor passes away during this period of closure, we ask that the donor’s loved ones or other appropriate individual(s) kindly notify us so that we may update our database.
In the meantime, new enrollment paperwork will continue to be screened with only acknowledgement of receipt until we are able to accept new applicants. The support from our community to the Willed Body Program has been tremendous. We are deeply grateful to all donors who ensure JABSOM’s mission of attaining lasting optimal health for all continues. While donor enrollment & body donations will be on pause until further notice, we look forward to reopening in the near future.
Thank you for your understanding.
The Importance of Body Donation
Anatomy is the study of the structure and function of the human body. It is one of the most important courses in the education of physicians, therapists and all other health care professions. The study of anatomy comes early in the medical curriculum and serves as the foundation for other courses. In addition, physicians in residency training and those in practice often pursue special courses in anatomy to enhance their skills and learn new techniques. Body donation plays a critical role in helping medical and health-related science students to master the complex anatomy of the human body and provides researchers with an essential tool for discoveries to help patients.
The Willed Body Program
The Body Donation Program at the University of Hawaiʻi, John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), is committed to excellence in research and education. While the primary focus of the Willed Body Program is to obtain the human cadaver for educational and scientific study, we strive to administer our program in a way consistent with the spirit of the good physician. In our contact with donors registering with the Willed Body Program or with the families of the donor we provide service that is compassionate as well as competent. Anatomical donations are greatly appreciated. Each contributes directly to new understandings. The need is great, and each gift is valued and honored. Students and staff treat each donor with the utmost respect and dignity.
Contact Information:Each year, to show their appreciation to the donors and their families, medical students and staff participate in a Memorial Service to honor these “silent teachers”.
University of Hawaiʻi
Dept. of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology Willed Body Program
651 Ilalo Street, BSB 119B
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: 808-692-1445
E-mail: wbdonor@hawaii.edu