More than 80 Participants from around the World will Gather for Hands-On Anatomy Workshops at IU Northwest

rot1The Summer 2015 International Human Cadaver Prosection Program (IHCPP), a unique medical program of Indiana University School of Medicine – Northwest (IUSM-NW), located on the Indiana University Northwest campus in Gary, Ind., is currently in session, taking place through July 30.

This hands-on, innovative medical program is the only one in the country that allows non-physician and non-medical student participants the opportunity to become active volunteers in the IUSM-NW gross anatomy laboratory.

Fifty individuals have been selected to participate in the 2015 program, plus 12 student radiographers and ultrasonographers, and 20 instructional faculty.

They will gain detailed knowledge of human anatomy, medical imaging, and wound suturing, as well as a greater understanding of tissue histology, embryology, prosthetics, orthotics, and orthopedics medical specialties.

The participants will prepare the body donors for the Fall 2015 gross anatomy class by removing the donors’ skin and body fat to expose organs, muscles and other anatomical structures.

This is the 16th year for the program, which is under the direction of Ernest Talarico, Ph.D., IUSM-NW associate director of medical education and associate professor of human gross anatomy and embryology. Participants will come from around the United States, as well as from Argentina, Nigeria and Mexico.

Unique bonds and the “first patient” philosophy

Among this year’s group of prosectors are several accomplished students. Some are repeat participants continuing their research from former first patients. Their bond continues and deepens through continued interactions with the donors’ families. Some are involved in the program because of their unique connections to the IHCPP, such as one participant who learned about the program because a family member had been a donor. Through the experience, she decided to commit to donate her own body to the program upon her own passing.

Three high school students have been accepted into the program, including local students Rachel Gross, of Schererville, and James Bell, of Gary.

The IHCPP program is anchored in teaching gratitude, respect and professionalism. In addition to learning basic anatomy, participants will celebrate human dignity.

In accordance with the “Talarico Protocol for Human Gross Anatomy,” (Clinical Anatomy Journal) donors in the laboratory are treated with the same dignity and consideration that living patients would expect to receive from their physician.

Participants are reminded that the donors have essentially become “first patients” for them and for the fall medical students who will follow. This means that donors should be referred to by their names.

Additionally, as part of the “Talarico Protocol,” summer participants are given the opportunity to correspond with families of the donors. It is an experience, Talarico says, that can have a fundamental impact on participants’ future interaction with patients.

2015 International Human Cadaver Prosection Program Team:

Northwest Indiana participants include:
Alexander C. Vlahu, MS-1, Indiana University School of Medicine-Northwest (Gary, Indiana)

Sarah M. Heming, Senior, B.S. Biology, Purdue University Calumet (Hobart, Indiana)

Karan Sharma, Senior, Biology/Pre-Medicine, Indiana University Northwest (St. John, Indiana)

Priscila J. Garza, Junior, Nursing, Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana University Northwest (Crown Point, Indiana)

Coty S. Buchwalter, B.S. Biology/Pre-Medicine, Purdue University North Central (Valparaiso, Indiana)

Nadeem O. Alia, Junior, B.S. Biology, Indiana University Northwest (Valparaiso, Indiana)

Rachel M. Gross, Senior, Lake Central High School (Schererville, Indiana)

Antonio Lara, B.S. Biology, Graduate – Pre-Medicine, Purdue University North Central (LaPorte, Indiana; Mexico)

Humaira T. Kahn, Junior, B.A. Biology/Pre-Medicine, Indiana University Northwest (Chesterton, Indiana)

Josh M. Streeter, Junior, B.S. Pre-Medicine, Purdue University North Central (Crown Point, Indiana)

Erick L. Tiemens, Junior, B.S. Biology, Purdue University Calumet (Lowell, Indiana)

Erin N. Mahony, Sophomore, B.S. Biology/Chemistry, Indiana University Northwest (Whiting, Indiana)

James T. Bell III, Senior, Illiana Christian High School, Pre-Medicine Interest (Gary, Indiana)

Jennifer M. Pudlo, Sophomore, B.S. Biology and Chemistry, Manchester University (Crown Point, Indiana)

Grant A. Zakhar, Junior, B.S. Biology Pre-Medicine, Indiana University Northwest (Chesterton, Indiana)

Ahmed Baghdady, Junior, B.S Biology/Pre-Medicine, Indiana University Northwest (Crown Point, Indiana)

Nicole A. Griffin, Senior, B.S. Genetics, Purdue University West Lafayette (St. John, Indiana)

Chase A. Lowden, Freshman, B.A. Business, Indiana University Northwest (Schererville, Indiana)

Jessica Reddy, Senior, B.S. Biology/Pre-Dental Medicine, Indiana University Northwest (Munster, Indiana)

Justin S. Golday, Senior, B.S., Graduate Biology/Pre-Medicine, Purdue University North Central (Chesterton, Indiana)

Habiba T. Choudhry, MS-1, Indiana University School of Medicine-Northwest (Crown Point, Indiana)

Chiamara Anokwute, Sophomore, B.S. Biology, Indiana University Northwest (Merrillville, Indiana)

Tyler J. Louviere, M.S., Graduate, Biology/Pre-Medicine, Indiana University‑Purdue University Indianapolis (Griffith, Indiana)

Mona M. Nour, Senior, B.S. Biology/Pre-Medicine, Indiana University Northwest (Valparaiso, Indiana)

Azaz Mehmood, Senior, B.S. Biology, Indiana University Northwest (Crown Point, Indiana)

Gabrielle Krstevski, Senior, B.S. Biology, Indiana University Northwest (Crown Point, Indiana)

Hassan Farooq, Senior, B.S. Biology, Indiana University Northwest (Schererville, Indiana)

Alexandra M. Vuckovic, Senior, B.S. Biology/Pre-Medicine, Indiana University Northwest (St. John, Indiana)

Cody C. Stewart, 2LT National Guard Medical Services Corps., Graduate, B.S. Biology/Pre-Medicine, Purdue University Calumet (Merrillville, Indiana)

Rana S. Torabi, MS-1, Indiana University School of Medicine-Northwest (Munster, Indiana)

Aaron Munoz, Sophomore, B.S. Biology/B.A. Physics, Indiana University Bloomington (Highland, Indiana)

Greater Indiana
Alisyn N. Ostrom, Sophomore, B.S. Biology, Indiana University Northwest (Westville, Indiana)

Nicholas D. Panting, Graduate, M.S. Global Health Studies, University of Notre Dame (Granger, Indiana)

Joseph A. Semala, MA, BA, Mental Health Counselor, Swanson Center (Westville, Indiana)

Brittany N. Winn, Graduate Student - Physiology (B.S. Forensic Sciences/Pre-Med), Ball State University Muncie, Indiana)

Tyler J. Wencl, Sophomore, Pre-Nursing, Indiana University Northwest (Westville, Indiana)

Joseph R. Lake, B.S. Graduate, Biology/Pre-Medicine, Indiana University South Bend (Elkhart, Indiana)

Jacob L. Hostetler, MS-1, Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend (Walkerton, Indiana)

Other states
Kennedy L. Chichy, Junior, Pre-Nursing, McHenry County College (Huntley, Illinois)

Brittany L Bowers, Senior, B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Calumet College of St. Joseph (Oak Forest, Illinois)

Falon Dandridge, M.S., Human Biology, Chatham University (Glenwood, Illinois)

Troy M. Adamson, Graduate, M.S. Biology, Chatham University (Tiltonsville, Ohio)

Andrea R. Sanchez Walk, Sophomore, Pre-Medicine/Health Sciences, Western Wyoming Community College (Rock Springs, Wyoming)

Ethan F. Effinger, Sophomore, Bio-Medical/Pre-Medicine, University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse (Mukwonago, Wisconsin)

Puja A. Patel, Senior, Biology, NOVA Southeastern University (Plantation, Florida)

Jamala D. Swindle, B.A., M.S., Biomedical Sciences, Barry University and NOVA Southeastern University (Pembroke Pines, Florida)

Michele L. Barr, Ed.D., Kinesiologist and Lecturer, California State University - Fullerton(Dana Point, California)

Martha A. Ratner, B.A., Graduate Studies Pre-Medicine, Bennington College (Arlington, Vermont)

Ruchir Gupta, Senior -Math and Science Emphasis, Forest Hills Central High School (Ada, Michigan)

International
Nora Mas, P.T., Physical Therapist, Lake Shore Bone & Joint Institute (Argentina)

Instructional and Professional Faculty (and Prosectors):
Anthony C. Levenda, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon, Lake Shore Bone & Joint Institute (Chesterton, Indiana)

Bruce J. Thoma, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon, Lake Shore Bone & Joint Institute (Chesterton, Indiana)

Richard Rocco, Jr., Owner, LPO, Rocco Prosthetics & Orthotic Center (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Thomas M. Wilson, LO/CO, Orthotic Technician, Rocco Prosthetics & Orthotic Center (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Ryan Van Puffelen, Group Manager, Professional Education, DePuy Synthes Institute

J. B. VanMeter, Distributor Principal and President, IN Motion Orthopaedics, Inc., Representing DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Jose L. Mas, D.V.M., Professor of Anatomy & Physiology, Ivy Tech Community College (ARGENTINA)

Jennifer Labus Lockhart, CT Manager, Franciscan Alliance (St. John, Indiana)

Michael McGee, M.D., Director, Northwest Emergency Associates Physicians, Methodist Hospitals (NWI)

Michael C. Leland, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon, Lake Shore Bone & Joint Institute (Chesterton, Indiana)

Kathleen Kleefisch, D.N.P., Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Purdue University Calumet (Lowell, Indiana)

Sunil Dedhia, M.D., Orthopaedic Specialists of Northwest Indiana (Munster, Indiana)

Lucyna Drozd-Nurek, Ph.D., Clinical Research Specialists, Indiana University School of Medicine-Northwest (Gary, Indiana)

For more information, visit the Web at http://iusm-nw.medicine.iu.edu/research-programs/talarico-lab/cadaver.