About Us

What does the AGA do?

Formerly known as the Demonstrator’s Society, the AGA was founded in 1918. It is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit corporation that manages the willed body donor program for the medical, research and educational institutions of Illinois.

It receives, prepares, preserves and distributes human remains for the purpose of medical education and research at institutions throughout Illinois. The association also transfers material to several institutions in the United States. AGA plays a vital role in the training of thousands of medical students and allied health professionals annually.

The association’s member institutions include many of the major academic medical schools in the state: Loyola University of Chicago, Midwestern University, National University of Health Sciences, Northwestern University, Rush Medical College, Southern Illinois University, the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois. Our board of directors, representing each of the member schools, is composed of some of the world’s leading anatomists.

Mission Statement
The Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois, its medical schools, and its agents are dedicated individuals. The utmost care, reverently performed, is taken with all bodies, so that both the donor's and family's wishes are carried out.

Map, Location of AGA offices
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Who is the AGA?

Board Members

Norman Lieska, Ph.D. Chairman Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, Illinois 60612	Richard Clough, Ph.D. Professor and Chair Department of Anatomy Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Carbondale, Illinois 62901
Callum Ross, Ph.D., President Professor, Organismal Biology & Anatomy University of Chicago Chicago, Illinois 60637	Larry Cochard, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Medical Education Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Illinois 60611
James M. Williams, Ph.D. Vice President Professor, Director of Gross Anatomy Laboratory Rush University Medical Center Chicago, Illinois 60612	Michael Dauzvardis, Ph.D. Stritch School of Medicine Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, Illinois 60153
Linda Walters, Ph.D. Secretary and Treasurer Professor, Department of Anatomy Midwestern University Downers Grove, Illinois 60148	Nathan Miller, D.C. Professor, Basic Sciences National University of Health Sciences Lombard, Illinois 60148
Paul J. Dudek, MBA Executive Vice President Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois Chicago, Illinois 60608

Why is the AGA important?

AGA plays a vital role in the training of thousands of medical students and allied health professionals annually. Because of the work of the AGA, medical students have direct knowledge of anatomy through the dissection of cadavers. This training represents a crucial phase of medical education, one that has not been replaced by computer simulation or virtual reality.

In recent years, the AGA has participated in trauma and emergency response training for fire fighters and police officers, as well as members of the US military and the National Guard, many of whom came from outside of Illinois. These first responders have benefited directly from an enhanced understanding of anatomy as a result of training supported by the AGA.

The AGA also supports research programs in Alzheimer’s disease, neurology, orthopedics, cardiology and plastic surgery. The association contributes to training initiatives in orthopedic surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, gynecology and gastroenterology, among others.