As a child of the 70’s/80’s, I dreamed of being the next Dr. R. Quincy. If you don’t know who Dr. Quincy is, he was just the most awesome, albeit fictional, Medical Examiner ever to cross the tv screen. Each week I watched as he dramatically followed the clues of the body that lead him to uncover great mysteries. It was during those days that I decided that I wanted to be a forensic pathologist. Not just any ordinary pathologist, but one that studied BRAINS!! The body holds so many wonderful mysteries and I was ready to learn all about them. That is until I really thought more about the processes involved in searching for those clues. First of all, I never would have made it through medical school. And secondly, I have a hard time putting a band-aid on injuries. No, it was a great dream, but one that I’d have to dismiss.

A couple of years ago, I heard about an exhibit in Dallas called “Bodies Revealed“, an exhibition of preserved real anatomical specimens. I was so interested in visiting the exhibit, but never found the time to get to Dallas. I thought I had missed my opportunity. Knock, Knock, Knock! Yes that opportunity has arrived again, yet this time it’s right here in my neighboring town of Shreveport, LA. Sci-port Louisiana’s Science Center and the Louisiana Office of Tourism is providing our area with a unique full body experience. BODIES REVEALED opens to the public on January 28, 2012 and takes visitors through galleries providing an up-close look inside the skeletal, muscular, reproductive, respiratory, circulatory and other systems of the human body. Many of the whole body specimens are dissected in vivid athletic poses, allowing the visitor to relate to everyday activities. One specimen in particular sparked my curiosity about how many muscles one might use while bowling. According to bowl.com, bowling is a game that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age and body type, as a means of social gathering and physical activity. Bowling requires the use of every major muscle in the body, so it’s important to make sure these muscles are loose and ready for physical activity in order to reduce the risk of injury, increase your ball speed, and increase your consistency. Seeing the bodies on exhibit really helped me put together how fascinating and complex our bodies are.

Along with the exhibit, Dr. Roy Glover serves as the Chief Medical Director and Spokesperson for BODIES REVEALED. Dr. Glover is Associate Professor Emeritus of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Premier Exhibitions. He taught Anatomy for more than 30 years at the University of Michigan Medical School. He is the recipient of numerous research and teaching awards. As I stood at the hands-on exhibit, I spoke with Dr. Glover, while holding a real brain. Yes, a real brain – I felt like Dr. Quincy! Although, seeing the interior of the bodies was facinating, what interested me most is the people who actually gave of themselves to make the exhibit possible. Dr. Glover explained to me that there are a few ways that specimens are obtained. One way is by people donating their bodies to science. He said that a person can go to any local medical school and sign a donor card. Once the person dies, the only responsibility of the family is to transport their loved one to the school. After the school has accepted and studied the body, the remains are cremated and then a memorial service is held for the family. Students who studied the body are present at the service to thank the families for the gift that their loved one provided.

The BODIES REVEALED Exhibition features 12 full body specimens and over 185 partial specimens and organs. The human body specimens are preserved through a revolutionary technique called polymer preservation and can take more than a year to prepare.

The Exhibition is expected to increase tourism from the tri-state area to Louisiana, specifically downtown Shreveport. “The Louisiana Office of Tourism is pleased to partner with Sci-Port for [the] BODIES REVEALED Exhibition,” Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne said. “This great Exhibition will have a positive impact on the community and the region’s tourism industry.” Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center is located at 820 Clyde Fant Parkway on the downtown Shreveport Riverfront. For information regarding hours, IMAX showing or special programs, call 318-424-3466, toll free at 877-724-7678. The exhibit will run from January 28, 2012 to May 21, 2012. Online ticketing is available at www.sciport.org.

I may not ever be Dr. Quincy, but this exhibit made me remember that dream I had so long ago. Make sure you don’t miss this awesome event.

See ya around Bossier,

Robin Williams,
Bossier Chamber of Commerce Diplomat & Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes