Susan Potter

American medical donor

Susan Christina Potter (December 16, 1927 – February 16, 2015) was an American medical donor known for her contribution to the Visible Human Project. Her body was donated to science to be used in the creation of a detailed, three-dimensional digital representation for medical education and research.

Early Life

Susan Potter was born in Germany and immigrated to the United States in her early years. She settled in New York City, where she pursued a career in nursing. Her experiences in the medical field and her personal health challenges inspired her to contribute to medical science in a significant way.

Visible Human Project

Susan Potter in her later years

The Visible Human Project is an initiative of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to create detailed, digital representations of the human body. Susan Potter became involved with the project in the late 1990s, expressing her desire to donate her body for scientific research and education.

Potter's involvement with the project was unique due to her active participation in the process. She worked closely with the researchers, sharing her medical history and personal experiences. This collaboration provided valuable context for the digital representation of her body.

Donation and Legacy

Susan Potter's body was preserved and meticulously prepared for the project. After her death in 2015, her body was frozen and sectioned into thousands of slices, which were then digitized to create a comprehensive, three-dimensional model. This model serves as a valuable resource for medical students and professionals, offering insights into human anatomy and pathology.

Potter's contribution to the Visible Human Project has been recognized as a pioneering effort in medical education. Her willingness to share her life and body with the scientific community has inspired others to consider similar donations.

Impact on Medical Education

The digital model created from Susan Potter's body is used in various educational settings, providing a detailed view of human anatomy that is not possible with traditional methods. It allows students to explore the human body in a virtual environment, enhancing their understanding of complex anatomical structures and relationships.

The project has also sparked discussions about the ethical considerations of body donation and the importance of informed consent in medical research.

Related Pages

• Visible Human Project
• National Library of Medicine
• Body donation
• Medical education