Advisory Committee

The South Carolina State Museum recognizes that BODY WORLDS Vital raises sensitive issues, and every city has its own unique character where social and cultural concerns may arise. In response to these potential concerns, the State Museum established a diverse Advisory Committee of local leaders in the medical, religious, cultural and educational communities to review the exhibition and advise the State Museum on its social and educational value.

Specifically, the Advisory Committee was asked to:

• Review the exhibition’s content and presentation approach, assess its educational value and fit within the mission of the South Carolina State Museum
• Examine the research that has previously been prepared by other U.S. museums concerning the process used to 1) obtain human bodies and tissues, 2) properly obtain informed consent from donors, and 3) respectfully follow donors’ wishes
• Weigh the educational value of the exhibition and its likely impact in the community against the ethical and social questions that may arise in South Carolina, and
• Provide input and recommendations to the State Museum concerning communications with the public about the exhibition.

The Advisory Committee conducted its work in the fall of 2011 and issued the following opinion statement:

The Advisory Committee recommends that the South Carolina State Museum move forward in securing the BODY WORLDS Vital exhibit and encourage engaging community discussions about health and wellness. This recommendation is based on our shared view that the exhibit will have tremendous educational impact on the public by providing the opportunity to see how the human body works and reacts to both disease and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Through the scientific communication of anatomy and physiology, this exhibit will inspire citizens across South Carolina and beyond to make more informed and positive lifestyle choices regarding their health and wellness. The committee understands there are sensitive issues associated with the public display of plastinated human bodies and organs, but debate and discussion are a necessary part of science education and the development of all communities.

Advisory Committee Members

Erika L. Blanck, DPT, ATC Director, Gift of Body Program Research Assistant Professor School of Medicine, University of South Carolina	Rabbi Jonathan Case Beth Shalom Synagogue
The Reverend Canon George I. Chassey	Tonia Cochran Director of Marketing & Communications Central Carolina Community Foundation
Rick Foster, MD SVP, Quality & Patient Safety SC Hospital Association	Amy Wood Hawkins President South Carolina Science Education Leadership Association
Dana Hutto Coordinator for Science, Health and Physical Education Lexington District One	Ric Luber President & CEO Midlands Authority for Convention, Sports & Tourism
Nancy Richeson, MD, FACP Assistant Dean Clinical Curriculum & Assessment USC School of Medicine	Dr. Edward Munn Sanchez Associate Dean South Carolina Honors College
Katherine Swartz, CAE Vice President Leadership Development & Community Involvement Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce	Andrew Witt Executive Director Cultural Council of Richland & Lexington Counties