Sara Allison, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Contact Information
Email:Biosketch
Dr. Sara Allison is an Associate Professor at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed). Dr. Allison received her undergraduate degree in biomedical sciences from Grand Valley State University and earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Anatomy from the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
As co-director of the anatomy discipline, she collaborates in the design, delivery, and assessment of the gross anatomy and embryology curriculum at WMed. She is actively involved with the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) and was awarded the 2025 IAMSE Early Career Award for Excellence in Teaching and Innovation.
Dr. Allison’s scholarly work focuses on advancing anatomical education through curricular innovations and exploring the personal and educational meaning students derive from interactions with human donors. Through these efforts, she aims to optimize both student learning and the educational experience in the anatomical sciences.
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- PhD 2020, Anatomy, School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center
- BS 2015, Biomedical Sciences, Grand Valley State University
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- Student learning and engagement
- Evaluation of instructional methods
- Educational experiences with human donors
- Curricular innovations in the anatomical sciences
- Anatomy and embryology education
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Bennitt A., Woodcock J., Allison S., Gyorkos A. Impact of Peer-Led Donor Videos on Gross Anatomy Medical Education Medical Science Educator. 2025
Gundler C.M., Allison S. Navigating Uncharted Territory: A Qualitative Analysis of Challenges and Advantages Experienced by Early Career Medical Educators Medical Science Educator. 2025;35:403-414.
Morris T.J., Ruvina M., Cooper C.E.A., Fukuda N., Berger H., Wagner D.F., Allison S., Woodcock J. Nerves of Steel: Bolstering Student Confidence in Gross Anatomy Through a Peer-to-Peer Intervention Medical Science Educator. 2025;35:103-111.
Gundler C.M., Allison S. Navigating Uncharted Territory: A Qualitative Analysis of Challenges and Advantages Experienced by Early Career Medical Educators Medical Science Educator. 2024
Morris T.J., Ruvina M., Cooper C.E.A., Fukuda N., Berger H., Wagner D.F., Allison S., Woodcock J. Nerves of Steel: Bolstering Student Confidence in Gross Anatomy Through a Peer-to-Peer Intervention Medical Science Educator. 2024
Robertson E.M., Allison S.M., Mueller C.M., Ferriby A.C., Roth A.R., Batra R. Exploring effectiveness in brain removal techniques: A comparison of approaches Anatomical Sciences Education. 2024;17:147-156.
Allison S., Mueller C., Lackey-Cornelison W. Structure and function: how to design integrated anatomy and physiology modules for the gross anatomy laboratory Frontiers in Physiology. 2023;14
Mueller C.M., Allison S.M. In their own words: impact of donor information and personal statements on humanization of donors in a gross anatomy course Advances in Physiology Education. 2022;46(3):426-437.
Allison S., Notebaert A., Dehon E. Introducing medical students to cadaveric dissection: Which aspects of an orientation are most beneficial? Anatomical Sciences Education. 2021;14(6):870-872.
Allison S., Notebaert A., Perkins E., Conway M., Dehon E. Fear of Death and Examination Performance in a Medical Gross Anatomy Course with Cadaveric Dissection Anatomical Sciences Education. 2021;14(6):764-773.
Mueller C.M., Allison S.M., Conway M.L. Mississippi's whole body donors: Analysis of donor pool demographics and their rationale for donation Annals of Anatomy. 2021;234
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- Impact of peer-led cadaveric demonstrations on group anatomy education. Fritz A, Helmich M, Woodcock J, Allison S, Gyorkos A, 42nd Annual Kalamazoo Community and Health Sciences Research Day, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 04/2024
- Identification of Difficult Topics in Medical Gross Anatomy and a Peer-to-Peer Intervention to Increase Confidence and Performance on Practical Exams. Ruvina M, Morris T, Cooper C, Fukuda N, Wagner D, Berger H, Allison S, Woodcock J, 41st Annual Kalamazoo Community Medical and Health Sciences Research Day, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 05/2023
- Repeated Self- and Peer-Evaluation Reduces Gender Disparity Seen in Self-Evaluations. Singh S, Bauler L, Allison S, Sheakley M, 40th Annual Kalamazoo Community Medical and Health Sciences Research Day, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 04/2022
- The Effect of Gross Anatomy Tutorials Using Near-Peer and Reciprocal Peer Teaching on Students' Confidence and Performance. Tse J, Addis V, Cheema S, Cha S, Hung V, Allison S, 40th Annual Kalamazoo Community Medical and Health Sciences Research Day, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 04/2022