SCU Anatomy Lab Tours Inspire Future Healthcare Students

Two large charter buses pulled up to the Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) campus early on a Wednesday morning, delivering a group of curious students ready to explore the world of health sciences. The students, participating in the Whittier College Tech Trek program, were about to embark on an unforgettable journey into the human body, guided by SCU’s faculty and anatomy lab facilities.

SCU recently relaunched its Anatomy Lab Tours, a unique opportunity for local high school and college students to get hands-on experience in a university-level cadaver lab. This immersive program, now back in full swing after a pandemic hiatus, is a vital part of SCU’s commitment to community engagement, health education, and inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

An Engaging, Hands-On Experience

On this tour day, 85 students arrived in two sessions, each receiving a guided experience through SCU’s innovative anatomy lab. The tours began with students donning white lab coats and splitting into groups. One group entered the cadaver lab with Dr. Erenie Shenouda, a faculty member and SCU Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program graduate, while the other explored the SynDaver lab with Dr. Maziar Maasoumian, also an SCU graduate and faculty member.

The SynDavers, lifelike silicone anatomical models, gave students a chance to identify organs, learn their functions, and interact with realistic representations of human anatomy. Nearby, models of skeletal bones and the human heart supported deeper learning, sparking curiosity and thoughtful questions. The cadaver lab experience, meanwhile, offered a rare and respectful introduction to real human anatomy, guided with care and professionalism by Dr. Shenouda.

As each group rotated between lab experiences, students gained valuable insight into both human biology and the academic paths available to pursue careers in health and medicine. The tours concluded with a presentation from SCU Admissions representatives, who shared program information, prerequisites, and answered questions about higher education opportunities at SCU.

Creating Lasting Impact

These tours aren’t just educational, they’re transformative. “It’s a win-win,” said Dr. Jory Basso, Assistant Dean for SCU’s Los Angeles College of Chiropractic. “It provides great exposure to our programs, offers service hours and community engagement for our faculty, creates memorable experiences for students, and generates revenue that helps us upgrade and improve anatomy resources.”

With tours typically scheduled on Wednesdays, SCU is proud to offer these impactful workshops to area schools, cultivating early interest in science, healthcare, and whole health wellness. Some students who first encounter SCU through these tours may one day return as future healthcare leaders, ready to make a difference.

Learn More

Schools or educators interested in scheduling a tour can contact the SCU Anatomy Lab Tours team at anatomylabseminar@scuhs.edu for more information on availability, pricing, and scheduling.