September 9, 2025 — Inside Marist University’s Allied Health Building, the Gross Anatomy Lab offers a rare and meaningful learning environment for students interested in becoming physician assistants (PAs), physical therapists (DPTs), and athletic trainers (ATs).

In a gross anatomy lab, students work directly with human donors to explore the structure and function of the body, gaining insights into anatomy that cannot be achieved through textbooks or models alone.

“The cadaver (donor) lab was a deciding factor for me,” said PA student Nico Andrada. "The depth of knowledge and the critical insights gained from directly studying the human body are simply unmatched by any alternative learning method. This hands-on experience not only cemented my understanding of human anatomy but also deeply solidified my commitment to a career in healthcare."

The state-of-the-art lab gives future healthcare providers a hands-on way to learn about the human body. Students study the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and major body systems. They practice locating important bones and joints, and use human donors and other resources to see how the body’s structures connect and work together, including the skeleton, muscles, nerves, and internal organs.

The lab exemplifies Marist’s commitment to providing students with spaces that mirror professional environments ─ an approach the University is poised to carry forward as the sciences continue to evolve. With hands-on experiences like this, Marist students are preparing for careers in medicine, nursing, and the health sciences, and these growing programs underscore the importance of creating environments that foster innovation and discovery.

“As the students begin their dissection, we refer to the donors as their first patients,” said Mark Gildard, Lecturer of Athletic Training and Lead Instructor of the Gross Anatomy Lab in the PA program. “Not only are the students dissecting to identify anatomical structures, but they’re also observing for signs that tell the unique life story of their donor. They may find pacemakers, surgical hardware, anatomical variations, or even evidence of disease.”

Marist Gross Anatomy Laboratory. Photo by Carlo de Jesus/Marist University.

Dr. Christina Fojas helped launch the lab when the first PA cohort enrolled nearly a decade ago and currently serves as Director of the Gross Anatomy Lab and the Interim Director of the Center for Teaching & Learning. She hopes every student leaves the lab with more than anatomical knowledge.

"I want students to leave with hands-on knowledge, deepened respect for the human body, and the emotional maturity to carry that forward into their careers. This isn’t just anatomy, it’s the foundation for compassionate, precise, and ethical patient care."

From Nerves to Respect

 

Marist Gross Anatomy Laboratory. Photo by Carlo de Jesus/Marist University.

For many students, the lab is initially daunting. However, confidence and curiosity build over time.

"The moment I first stepped into the Gross Anatomy Lab was truly surreal," said Nico. "I wasn’t entirely sure how I’d mentally handle the reality of dissecting a human body. However, as the weeks unfolded, that initial apprehension completely transformed. It gave way to an overwhelming sense of appreciation and profound respect."

DPT student Maya Greco had a similar experience.

"Before starting the lab, I was extremely nervous about how I would respond," said Maya. "But after the very first day, I quickly realized how extraordinary and meaningful this learning opportunity truly was. The ability to study and explore the human body in such a direct and respectful way is unlike anything else in education and something I will never take for granted."

PA student Sabrina Velez also admitted she entered the lab with anticipation.

"I had never seen a cadaver before, and I was scared of how I would feel upon pulling back the sheet," said Sabrina. "However, my fears were quickly alleviated, and I was flooded with curiosity and awe."

Mastering Anatomy, Improving Patient Care

A Doctor of Physical Therapy Lab at the Allied Health Building. Photo by Carlo de Jesus/Marist University.

The experience students have in the lab greatly impacts their approach to learning and patient care.

“This experience really helped me learn the lecture material and apply it to real life,” said DPT student Violetta Dekert. “While taking anatomy, we also had a movement science course that taught us how to palpate structures on the body, and learning both at the same time deepened my understanding of how the body works. Seeing muscle atrophy, lung disease, heart defects, and more in the lab also showed me how healthcare providers can help address disease in ways that aren’t always visible.”

"This experience was one of the program’s first ways of teaching empathy," said Sabrina. "The reveal of our donors’ occupations and causes of death reminded all of us that this wasn’t just a project, but our very first patient. It’s a priceless experience for any student learning medicine."

Honoring their First Patients

 

A Donor Gratitude Ceremony from earlier this year. Photo by Nelson Echeverria/Marist University.

While the donor lab is primarily used by PA and DPT students, it is also open to athletic training students, select undergraduates, and even some students in the summer Pre-College program, creating valuable interprofessional learning experiences such as shared gross anatomy learning and joint reflection events.

For example, each January, PA and DPT students gather for the Donor Gratitude Ceremony to reflect on their shared experiences. At the ceremony, the students present poems, letters, and reflections as a way to pay tribute to the donors.

"I vividly remember hearing about the donor gratitude ceremony during my interview for the DPT program, and it was one of the things that drew me here," said Maya. "The ceremony gave us the space to honor the donors, reflect on our experiences, and share this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with DPT classmates and PA students alike."

For Sabrina, the ceremony allowed her “a personal outlet to express gratitude for all of the amazing donors."

Violetta described it as "an emotional and heartwarming experience" where students came together to "appreciate those who donated themselves to science."

A Lasting Impact

Looking forward, the Gross Anatomy Lab is poised to remain a signature strength of Marist's School of Science. With a new cohort of PA students finishing their gross anatomy course last month and continued participation from DPT and MSAT students, the lab continues to foster innovation and community across disciplines.

"This type of experience is critical in the education of future DPTs and healthcare professionals," said Maya. "While lectures and textbooks provide important knowledge, nothing compares to learning directly from the human body. Gross Anatomy Lab offers an irreplaceable depth of understanding that simply cannot be replicated through other forms of instruction."

“The Gross Anatomy Lab is a great example of the emphasis Marist places on the student experience,” said Dr. Alicia Slater, Senior Associate Provost for Academic Operations and Dean of the School of Science. It provides a unique learning environment that fosters scientific knowledge and perhaps more importantly, the empathy needed to be an effective healthcare provider. We are thrilled to be able to offer this exposure to our students.”

If you're interested in advancing the education of the next generation of healthcare professionals, explore your options to become an anatomical donor.