Information on Donating Your Body

 

Mission: Donations to the OSU Body Donor Program help teach anatomy education to osteopathic medical students. Donations may also be used by local physicians or medical residents for research and training.

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How do I apply to the OSU Body Donor Program?

Contact: OSU Body Donor Program, 1111 West 17th Street Tulsa, OK 74107

Phone: 918-561-1250

You will receive a ‘Declaration’, ‘Instruction and Information’, and ‘Personal Information’ Form. Complete the forms and have the ‘Declaration’ form signed by two witnesses. Return the ‘Declaration’ and ‘Personal Information’ forms to the address above. An applicant cannot be accepted into the Body Donor Program until the application is received and approved prior to the time of death. After acceptance into the Body Donor Program, an acceptance letter and identification card will be sent to you. 

 

What is the Need?

Oklahoma has a shortage of bodies for research, and education. New medical schools, an increase in the number of medical students, and new surgical specialties have created a greater demand.

 

Who can donate?

Any person 18 years or older who is of sound mind.

 

May I still have a funeral?

No. The family may wish to have a private memorial service without the body present. Any expenses related to a memorial service must be the responsibility of the survivors.

 

What happens to my body after the school has completed it's study?

Most donors will be with our program for 1-2 years before cremation. The body will be reduced to ashes, and scattered on a flower garden by the school or returned to the relatives or friends for disposition. Please state your request on the donor form in the space provided.

 

How will my body be used?

Your body will be used under the combined supervision of the faculty at OSU and the State Anatomical Board of Oklahoma. All bodies are treated with the utmost respect and kept under secure conditions. The major use of donors is the training of osteopathic medical students and physicians. These physicians may also use the body to update their medical education or conduct medical research.

 

Will my estate or I be paid for this gift?

No. Oklahoma law and the laws of all other states specifically prohibit paying persons for the gift of a body.

 

What expenses will my family need to bear if I make this gift?

There are no expenses to your family if you live within 120 miles of Tulsa.  If death occurs over 120 miles from Tulsa, your survivors would need to arrange and pay for embalming and transportation. Please contact a local funeral home in your area to discuss in advance the transportation to our facility.

 

What happens if I change my mind?

You may, at any time, revise or revoke your gift. A Declaration of gift is only a statement of your wishes and intentions. You may make changes in your Declaration by contacting the Body Donation Program at the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

 

What if I live outside the State of Oklahoma?

We do not accept out of state donations. You may consider making your donation to a medical school in that particular state.

 

May I still donate some organs for transplant purposes?

No. Since donating specific organs for transplant may interfere with using the body for educational purposes, we recommend that you choose either to donate your organs or donate your entire body. For more information about organ donation, visit the LifeShare - Transplant Donor Services of Oklahoma website.

 

What if my Physician wants to perform an autopsy?

In the event that an autopsy is necessary, the body would not be able to be used by the medical school. The survivors would need to make other funeral arrangements.

 

What should survivors do upon my death?

At the time of death of an accepted donor, the Hospice/Nursing Home/Hospital should immediately call the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Security who will then make arrangements to have the donor picked up. If death occurs within 120 miles of Tulsa, the College will make all arrangements for delivery of the body to the school. If you are more than 120 miles from Tulsa, notify your family mortician of the wishes of the deceased and request that the mortician call the Body Donor Program or OSU College of Osteopathic Security to discuss embalming procedures and requirements. Your funeral director can help you with the other arrangements for a memorial service and transportation to the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

 

What are some conditions when my body will not be accepted?

The most common reasons, but not all, for decline are recent unhealed surgeries, autopsy, history of communicable disease, physical condition of the decedent (extensive trauma/decomposition), pathology that inhibits adequate preparation procedures or unhealthy body mass index (a BMI of 30 or greater will not be accepted). If a donation is declined at the time of death, the next of kin/authorizing agent is responsible for making an alternate arrangement for final disposition. The Body Donation Program is not responsible for any expenses associated with alternate arrangements. Autopsies are not performed by the Body Donation Program and there is no formal report of findings released pertaining to studies. The Body Donation Program can decline a donation at the time of death for reasons stated above.

 

If I have other questions whom can I contact?

Contact:

OSU Body Donor Program

OSU - Center for Health Sciences

1111 West 17th Street Tulsa, OK 74107

 

Phone: 918-561-1250

 

Reporting a death:

If reporting a death of one of our donor’s during business hours M-F, 8:30-4pm, please call the Body Donor Program line at 918-561-1250 to report the death. If after hours, holiday or a weekend, please call  918-582-6777.