Anatomy and Physiology Students Engage in Hands-On Cadaver Dissection Experience at Merle-Smith Campus

At the Merle-Smith Campus, Anatomy and Physiology students in Mrs. Wendy Sheetz’s classes took their learning beyond the textbook through a rare, hands-on cadaver dissection experience centered on the shoulder joint. The program, made possible through a partnership with St. Luke’s University Health Network and the leadership of Athletic Director Mr. Manny Oudin, offered students an immersive look at human anatomy typically reserved for college and medical school settings.

 

The afternoon began with an introductory lecture led by Moravian Academy parent and St Luke’s primary care sports medicine physician Dr. Maheep Vikram, MD. Students gathered for the presentation, which provided foundational context on the structure and function of the upper limb and prepared them for the hands-on portion of the experience.

 

During the lecture, Dr. Vikram used live ultrasound imaging with student volunteers to illustrate how muscles, tendons, and joints work together in coordinated movement. He also connected anatomical concepts to real-world applications, discussing common sports-related injuries such as tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and bicep injuries to deepen students’ understanding of biomechanics and clinical relevance.

 

Following the classroom session, students transitioned to the lab where they put on protective gowns, gloves, and masks before entering the dissection space. A donated human arm, provided through the United Tissue Network, a nonprofit accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks, had been prepared for study. Before the dissection began, students were reminded of the significance of the donor gift and the importance of approaching the experience with respect and care.

 

The dissection was led by Moravian Academy parent Dr. Gregory Carolan, MD, chief of orthopedic sports medicine and shoulder surgery at St. Luke’s, alongside Dr. Nareena Imam, MD, a second-year orthopedic surgery resident. Dr. Carolan guided students through the detailed anatomy of the shoulder, explaining how surgeons use natural anatomical pathways during procedures. As he demonstrated key structures, students observed closely and, under supervision, had opportunities to assist by making incisions, palpating tendons, and identifying anatomical features.

 

The experience provided a meaningful culmination of classroom study, allowing students to directly connect theoretical knowledge with real human anatomy. It also gave them a deeper understanding of the complexity of joints such as the shoulder and elbow, reshaping how they view movement, injury, and medical treatment.

 

Throughout the afternoon, students engaged with physicians in a collaborative learning environment supported by Moravian Academy’s ongoing partnership with St. Luke’s University Health Network. The experience reinforced both academic learning and curiosity, offering students a rare and memorable opportunity to engage with human anatomy in a clinical setting. 

 

 

“It relates to what I want to do in the future because I want to go to medical school and then later go into dermatology. It was a really fun experience.” 

— Laila Ali ’26

 

“I play baseball so I learned about the UCL reconstruction surgery, and we saw the actual ligament where the palmaris longus in the wrist connects to reconstruct the UCL.” 

— Jack Levy ’27

 

“I was actually able to make an incision in the back part of the arm, and it’s been really cool to just be able to see how all of the things that we’ve been learning in class can actually be applied to this real-world kind of situation. This really connects to what I want to do because in the future, I want to be able to go to medical school and become a dermatologist.” 

— Laura Li ’26