During a small ceremony on January 13, 2017, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) dedicated its anatomy laboratory to longtime faculty member Lance Nash, PhD. Professor Nash, who passed away on September 15, 2016, was instrumental in the design and development of the technologically-advanced and fully-equipped dissection facility, which now bears his name.
The event, held in the university’s dry laboratory, included remarks by Executive Dean Heidi Chumley, MD, and Board of Trustees Chairwoman Carol Herbert, MD. In front of Board members, administrative leaders, colleagues, and anatomy teaching assistants, a ribbon—signed with messages from colleagues and students—was cut to officially unveil the laboratory’s name: The Professor Lance Nash Anatomy Laboratory.
“Professor Nash’s passion for medicine, his dedication to serving others, and his quest to continuing learning will live on through this building,” said Dr. Herbert. “The Board of Trustees is honored to name the laboratory after Dr. Nash and we look forward to sharing his legacy with countless of future medical students.”
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| Professor Lance Nash, PhD, longtime AUC faculty member who passed away in September 2016. |
Dr. Nash’s career with AUC spanned 11 years. He served as Professor of Anatomy for the majority of his time and recently chaired the Anatomy Department. He also oversaw the anatomy teaching assistant program, which gave upperclassmen the opportunity to guide and mentor new students through course exercises and dissections. Prior to joining AUC, Dr. Nash practiced as a clinical orthoptist in New Zealand and conducted extensive research on plastination and confocal microscopy.
Related: In Memory of Professor Lance Nash
In 2012, AUC broke ground on a major campus expansion project, including the construction of a new anatomy laboratory. Dr. Nash created a vision for the laboratory and guided its development throughout the entire process.
“It’s entirely appropriate that the laboratory is named after Dr. Nash,” said Phillip Pearson, Associate Professor of Anatomy. “After all, he is the one who conceived it, planned it, and saw it through to the opening. He was a man who truly gave so much to AUC, and now we can give this back to him.”