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| 1. |
How do I make a donation? |
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Contact:
Body Donor Program Director
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
1111 West 17th Street
Tulsa, OK 74107
thom.garrison@okstate.edu
918.561.8446
You will receive a Declaration Form. Complete the form and have it signed by two witnesses. An identification card will be sent to you, along with copies of the donation form to give to members of your family. |
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| 2. |
What is the need? |
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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. |
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| 3. |
Who can donate? |
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Any person 18 years or older who is of sound mind. |
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| 4. |
May I still have a funeral? |
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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. |
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| 5. |
What happens to my body after the school has completed its study? |
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The body will be reduced to ashes, and scattered by the school or returned to the relatives or friends for disposition. Please state your request on the donor form in the space provided. |
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| 6. |
How will my body be used? |
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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 upmost respect and kept under secure conditions. The major use of bodies is the training of osteopathic physicians. These physicians may also use the body to update their medical education or conduct medical research. |
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| 7. |
Will my estate or I be paid for this gift? |
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No. Oklahoma law and the laws of all other states specifically prohibit paying persons for the gift of a body. A private Mortician will be paid only for embalming and transportation from the place of death in Oklahoma to the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. |
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| 8. |
What expenses will my family need to bear if I make this gift? |
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If death occurs outside the State of Oklahoma or over 100 miles from Tulsa, your survivors would need to arrange and pay for embalming and transportation. |
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| 9. |
What happens if I change my mind? |
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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 Director of the Body Donation Program at the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. |
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| 10. |
What if I live outside the State of Oklahoma? |
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Your donation is always welcomed. HOWEVER, the expense of returning your body to Oklahoma would be incurred by your survivors. You may consider making your donation to a medical school in that particular state. |
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| 11. |
May I still donate some organs for transplant purposes? |
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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. Our program does not deal with the organ donation process. For more information about organ donation, visit the LifeShare - Transplant Donor Services of Oklahoma website. |
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| 12. |
What if my physician wants to perform an autopsy? |
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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. |
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| 13. |
What should my survivors do upon my death? |
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At the time of death, survivors should call immediately the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. If death occurs within 100 miles of Tulsa, the College will make all arrangements for delivery of the body to the school. If you are outside the State of Oklahoma or more than 100 miles from Tulsa, notify your family mortician of the wishes of the deceased and request that the mortician call the Director of the Body Donor Program to discuss embalming procedures and requirements. Your funeral director can help you with the other arrangements for a memorial service and transportation to OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. |
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| 14. |
If I have other questions, whom can I contact? |
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Contact:
Body Donation Program Director
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
1111 West 17th Street
Tulsa, OK 74107
thom.garrison@okstate.edu
918.561.8446 |
