Anatomical Gift Program
Anatomical donation, or the donation of your body to science, is a priceless gift to medical education. It enables our students to conduct detailed study of the anatomy of the human body as part of their medical education and research. Anatomy is one of the most important courses in the education of physicians, dentists, physician assistants, nurses, and physical therapists. The principal source of bodies for education and research is private donation.
How To Donate
Anyone who is 18 or older and mentally competent may choose to register as a body donor for medical education and research.
To enroll, complete an Anatomical Gift Declaration of Consent. This form does not require a lawyer or notary but must be signed by two witnesses. Once we receive your completed form, you will be registered in our Anatomical Gift Program registry, and you will receive a Donor Participant card for your records.
Please inform your next of kin and anyone legally responsible for the handling of your remains. If, at the time of death, a close family member objects to the donation, we will respect their wishes and relinquish our claim to the remains.
Important notes:
- We cannot process registrations from individuals who are near death or unable to sign the consent form themselves.
- Stating your wishes in a will does not constitute enrollment in our program and may result in delays that make donation impossible.
Please Note: At this time, we are only able to accept donors who reside within New York State — even if the prospective donor has already registered with our program. If you reside outside of New York, please contact a medical school in your state for donation options.
The Donation Process
When death occurs, a family member, hospital staff, or funeral director should notify the Anatomical Gift Program at 518-262-5379.
The Anatomical Gift Program will arrange for the transport of the body to the Medical College by a licensed funeral director under contract with the program. If the family wishes to use the services of a funeral director of their choosing, any expenses and fees beyond those normally incurred by the Anatomical Gift Program will be the responsibility of the family or estate of the deceased.
Refusal of a Donation
Albany Medical College reserves the right to decline the donation of a body when the remains are deemed unsuitable for educational purposes, when there is a family dissent, or for other reasons, including medical issues. A body should not be previously autopsied or embalmed.
The program cannot accept remains from approximately Dec. 18 through Jan. 3 of each year.
We may also decline the donation if we simply lack sufficient physical capacity to accept additional donations.
Organ Donation
We support organ donation, which takes precedence over anatomical gift donation. Individuals who donate their organs for transplant are acceptable as anatomical donors to the Medical College provided the remaining criteria are met.
Forms
Declaration of Consent. Please download and complete.
Forms must be signed by the prospective donor. Forms signed by Next of Kin/Responsible Parties (POA, HCP, etc.) are not accepted in lieu of the donor signature.
Mail completed forms to:
Albany Medical College Anatomical Gift Program
47 New Scotland Ave., MC–135
Albany, NY 12208
Retain a copy of the signed packet for your records.
After receipt of your completed Enrollment Packet, a letter of acknowledgement and wallet card will be issued in approximately two to three weeks.
Interment & Memorial Service
When studies are completed, approximately 12 to 24 months after donation, all bodies are cremated individually. The ashes may be returned to the family for final disposition.
Alternatively, Albany Medical College will assume responsibility for disposition and will inter the ashes during the Annual Interment and Memorial Services in plots maintained by the College at Albany Rural Cemetery or St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery, which are donated by the Albany Diocesan Cemeteries.
Family and friends will be invited to the Interment and Memorial Service, where students express their appreciation to donors and their families.
Contact Us
Feel free to reach out with questions:
Michael P. Smith, PhD
Director, Vice Dean for Academic Administration, Anatomy
Joshua Lopez
Program Coordinator
[email protected]
518-262-5379
