Dr. Gest

Dr. Thomas Gest says that studying anatomy without ample lab time is like studying auto mechanics just by reading a book. It's hard to grasp the concepts without working on the real thing.

In a time when many universities have cut back or eliminated labs, Dr. Gest's gross anatomy classes stand out because the bulk of their coursework is done in the lab versus the lecture hall.

“We use an active learning approach rather than a lecture intensive approach,” Dr. Gest explains. “We have limited lectures in our coursework in the past, and, this fall, we will totally eliminate lectures. Educational research has shown that lecturing does not provide a good mode of learning for information that needs to be retained for a long time. This program allows us to expose students to anatomy in the most useful way, in the lab with a real human body.”

Since their future patients will be three-dimensional, it only makes sense for medical students to train using real specimens. Through the Anatomical Donations program that Dr. Gest runs, the University of Michigan Medical School receives gifts from about 200 donors per year.

The specimens are complemented by the latest technology. There are well-equipped computers at every lab table, and the department's integrated Web site contains everything medical students need — from electronic manuals to clinical cases to review questions. It is one of the largest gross anatomy sites in the world.

There is plenty of proof that active learning works. Since adapting this unique approach, Dr. Gest's students have earned higher grades and have given the faculty better evaluations.

Dr. Gest also received the ultimate thumbs-up from his students — the Golden Apple Award, a prize given to one faculty member each year by the U-M student body. He is the only person from the Medical School ever to win the award.

“Our combination of active learning and technology is the strength we have in gross anatomy,” Dr. Gest said. “That's what sets us apart.”