The mission of the Anatomical Board is to facilitate the distribution of deceased human remains for the purpose of teaching and research. In doing so, the Board protects the interests of donors and their families by requiring that only authorized educational and medical institutions receive human remains, and that the remains are treated with dignity and respect.
The mission of the Anatomical Board is to facilitate the distribution of deceased human remains for the purpose of teaching and research.
- Implement the provisions and regulations set forth in the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapt. 691-692A, and the stipulations of the Texas Administrative Codes pertaining to the acquisition, use, and final disposition of anatomical materials.
- Inspect anatomical facilities for compliance with standards established by the Board.
- Record the receipt and transfer of donations by Willed Body Programs.
- Distribute surplus cadavers among member institutions based on scientific and educational needs.
- Approve the transportation of cadavers and/or body parts within and outside of the State of Texas.
- Address complaints received from the public sector and member institutions regarding the use of cadavers or body parts and resolve such issues based on the rules and regulations adopted by the board and in accordance with state law.
95%
2010
85%
2011
90%
2012
75%
2013
95%
2014
- The SAB regulates the Willed Body Programs whose cadavers and anatomical specimens enable Texas students, clinicians and residents to learn human anatomy and healthcare skills
- In 2018 – 2019, the SAB registered and distributed approximately 2,940 donor bodies to 39 different Texas institutions, all without any registered complaints.
- 4,153 Texas students in SAB institutions directly benefitted from use WBP cadavers
- 2,218 Texas MD/DO, 317 Dental, 160 Chiropractic students
- 1,458 SAB institution graduate and allied healthcare professions students
- Does not include numerous allied health graduate students in institutions not represented by the SAB that utilize SAB cadavers
- 4,233 Texas clinicians and residents benefitted from Clinical Skills training programs
- 8,300 Texas K-16 students educated in Outreach Programs (serving primarily underrepresented or socioeconomically disadvantaged populations)
Rustin E. Reeves, Ph.D.
Vice Chairman
Rustin E. Reeves, Ph.D. is an associate professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics at the University of North Texas Health Science Center.
John K. Hubbard, Ph.D. PT
Chairman
Dr Hubbard is a licensed physical therapist, with research interests in the utilization of physical modalities as facilitators for bone and soft tissue healing. He has been teaching Gross Anatomy courses in Medical and Allied Health curriculum for the past 20 years. Currently he serve as the co-block director for the Medical Gross Anatomy course along with teaching in the Histology and Neurosciences disciplines for the Texas A&M Health Sciences Center College of Medicine. Dr. Hubbard is also active as an instructor and lab coordinator for the Baylor Scott & White Hospital Orthopedic Surgery Residency program anatomy rotation. He served on the TAMHSC Pre-clinical Curriculum Revision committee, and is currently active on the Student Admissions and Promotions committees.
Stephen Luk M.D.
Secretary/Treasurer
Dr. Stephen S. Luk is a Professor of Surgery with the University of Texas Southwestern School of Medicine and Medical Center. He is actively practicing at Clements University Hospital, Parkland Memorial Hospital and Zale Lipshy Hospital. He is dual Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery in General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care and practices Acute Care Surgery. He is the Chief of Emergency General Surgery and Medical Director of the Comprehensive Wound Care Center at Parkland Memorial Hospital and Head of the Willed Body Program at UTSW. He has been the Secretary/Treasurer of the State Anatomic Board of Texas since 2015.
Sunset Advisory Commission Invites Public Input on the Anatomical Board of the State of Texas
The Sunset Advisory Commission is reviewing the mission and performance of the Anatomical Board of the State of Texas (SAB) and welcomes public comments on whether the agency is still needed and ideas to improve its operations and services. The Texas Sunset Act requires the Sunset Commission to periodically review SAB and recommend whether to continue the agency and change state law to improve the agency’s efficiency and effectiveness. The Legislature ultimately will decide whether to continue SAB and adopt Sunset’s other statutory recommendations. The Sunset Commission also may adopt management directives for SAB that do not require statutory change.
The Sunset process has three stages. First, Sunset staff will evaluate SAB, seek public input, and issue a report recommending solutions to problems found. Second, the Sunset Commission will hold two public meetings: a hearing on the staff report and the agency, and a decision meeting to adopt recommendations to the Legislature based on the report and public comments. Third, the Legislature will convene in January 2023 and will consider Sunset’s statutory recommendations in a Sunset bill for SAB.
Here are several ways to provide comments and suggestions to Sunset staff on SAB’s mission, operations, and services:
- Send an email to sunset@sunset.texas.gov
- Submit comments online at www.sunset.texas.gov
- Send a letter to Sunset Advisory Commission, Attn: SAB, P.O. Box 13066, Austin, Texas 78711
- Call (512) 463-1300 to speak to Darren McDivitt, project manager of the SAB review
Please provide your comments by July 15, 2022 to ensure Sunset staff can fully consider your input while conducting their review. Comments submitted before the staff report is published in September 2022 will remain confidential.
Stay informed! Visit www.sunset.texas.gov to sign up for email alerts on the Sunset staff report and the Sunset Commission’s public meetings on SAB.