Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Contact Information
Email:Biosketch
Sara Allison, PhD, received her undergraduate training at Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan. She then completed her PhD in Clinical Anatomy at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, before accepting an assistant professor position at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In addition to teaching anatomical sciences, Dr. Allison is invested in researching innovative ways to teach future clinicians and approaches to optimize students’ experience with donors in the gross anatomy lab.
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Education and Training
- 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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Research
- gross anatomy
- Histology
- Educational Research
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Publications
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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Presentations
- 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