About                

The Universal Anatomical Organization is a consortium dedicated to fostering collaboration between international associations with Anatomy at their core

Our Goals

  • The Advancement of Anatomical Science: The UAO promotes research, discovery, and engagement in the field of human anatomy.

  • Global Collaboration: The UAO encourages equitable scientific exchange between groups that have anatomy at their core. Our organization strives to foster a collaborative international research community.

Founding member groups

  • Southern Cone Morphology Society (Sociedad de Morfología del Cono Sur) 

  • Chinese Society of Anatomical Sciences (CSAS), Clinical Anatomy Branch (中国解剖学会临床解剖学分会)

  • Kurume Research Society of Clinical Anatomy, Japan　(久留米臨床解剖研究会)

  • Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George’s University, Grenada  

  • The Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel 

  • Clinical Anatomy Research Association in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (CARE-OMS), Fukuoka, Japan (口腔顎顔面外科解剖研究会)

  • Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Istituto di Anatomia Umana, Università di Padova, Padova, Italia)

  • Mauritanian Association of Clinical Anatomy (Association Mauritanienne d’Anatomie Clinique). Anatomy Lab. Faculty of Medicine, Nouakchott-Mauritania

  • Tulane Clinical Anatomy Research Lab (TCARL), New Orleans, LA, USA

  • Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland (Katedra Anatomii Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego Collegium Medicum w Krakowie)

  • Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand (ภาควิชากายวิภาคศาสตร์  คณะวิทยาศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล)

  • Clinical Anatomy, Embryology and Neuroscience Research Group, Medical Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain (Grupo de Investigación en Anatomía Clínica, Embriología y Neurociencia: NEOMA)

  • Macedonian Association of Anatomists (Makedonsko zdruzenie na anatomi)

  • Division of Anatomy, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA 

  • Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan (岡山大学学術研究院 医歯薬学域 口腔顎顔面外科学分野)

  • International Evidence-Based Anatomy Working Group, Krakow, Poland

  • Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand (สาขาวิชากายวิภาคศาสตร์ คณะแพทยศาสตร์  มหาวิทยาลัยขอนแก่น)

  • Open Anatomy Project, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 

  • Department of Anatomy, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Science, Mwanza, Tanzania

  • Department of Clinical Anatomy, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA

  • Argentine Society of Applied Morphological Sciences (Sociedad Argentina de Ciencias Morfológicas Aplicadas)

  • American Association of Clinical Anatomists (AACA)

  • Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Japan　(久留米大学医学部解剖学講座 肉眼・臨床解剖部門)

  • British Association of Clinical Anatomists (BACA)

  • Society of Medical Anatomists (SOMA), India

  • World Anatomical Association (WAA) 

  • International Fascia Research Society (FRS), USA

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS), USA

  • Neurosurgical Department, Cremona, Italy (Dipartimento Neurochirurgico di Cremona, Italia)

  • Division in Anatomy & Developmental Biology, Department of Oral Biology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry (연세대학교 치과대학 구강생물학교실 해부 및 발생생물학 연구실)

  • Korean Association of Oral Anatomists (KAOA) (대한구강해부학회 )

  • Department of Anatomy, Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea (대구가톨릭대학교 의과대학 해부학교실)

  • Algerian Association of Clinical Anatomy (Association Algérienne d'Anatomie Clinique)

Meet Our New Member Group

  • Department of Human Morphology of Belarusian State Medical University (Кафедра морфологии человека Белорусского государственного медицинского университета)

  • Institute of Clinical Anatomy (ICA)

Board of Directors

  • Prof. Heejin Kim

    President

  • Prof. Mahindra Anand

  • Prof. Arada Chaiyamoon

  • Prof. Jerzy Walocha

  • Prof. Anna Carrera

  • Prof. Nicolás Ottone

  • Prof. Yoko Tabira

  • Prof. Mary Ndibalema

  • Prof. Marios loukas

  • Prof. Joe Iwanaga

    Secretary

  • Prof. Shane Tubbs

Bylaws

Article I: Name and Purpose

  1. Name

    • The organization is known as the Universal Anatomical Organization (UAO)

  2. Purpose

    • The UAO aims to advance the study and discussion of human anatomy. It achieves this by championing research, collaboration, and education in the anatomical sciences.

Article II: Membership

  1. Eligibility

    • Membership is open to professional organizations, educational institutions, research centers/institutes, and other groups interested in anatomical science (Member Group). Membership is granted to groups, not individuals.

  2. Application and Admission

    • Prospective member groups must submit an application for review and approval by the Board of Directors.

  3. Rights and Responsibilities

    • Member groups can participate in meetings, attend events, and receive awards.

    • Member Groups are expected to uphold the mission of the UAO and contribute to its activities when possible.

    • Each Member Group has one vote; only one person can represent the group/society.

  4. Termination of Membership

    • Membership may be terminated for conduct detrimental to the organization.

Article III: Governance

  • Board of Directors

    • The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Secretary, and up to nine additional members.

    • The Board is responsible for the strategic direction and oversight to UAO.

  • Positions

    • President: Presides over board meetings, represents UAO in official matters, and serves as the leader of the organization.

    • Secretary: Assists the President, assumes duties in their absence, and manages the administrative functions of UAO.

  • Appointments and Terms

    • The President is elected by a majority vote of the Board of Directors every two years. 

    • Board members are elected by a majority vote of the Group Members every five years. Only one board member from each Member Group can be a board member at any time.

  • Commissions and Committees

    • A new Commission or Committee can be established after receiving approval from the Board. 

    • The Board must approve a Commission or Committee’s decision before it can be presented as the UAO’s official decision.

Article IV: Meetings

  1. Board Meetings

    • Board meetings are held monthly and as needed to manage the organization’s affairs.

Article V: Activities

  1. Collaborative Research

    • The UAO facilitates joint research projects and partnerships among members to advance the anatomical sciences.

  2. Educational Programs

    • The UAO organizes workshops, seminars, and courses to promote anatomical education and professional development.

  3. Publications

    • The UAO supports the publication of research, educational materials, and other documents related to the anatomical sciences.

Article VI: Finances

  1. Fiscal Year

    • The fiscal year of UAO shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.

  2. Financial Management

    • The Organizational Managing Group manages the organization's finances, including budgeting, accounting, and reporting.

  3. Audits

    • Financial records shall be audited annually by an independent auditor or audit committee.

Article VII: Amendments

  1. Amendment Process

    • Proposed amendments to the bylaws must be submitted in writing to the Board

    • Amendments require approval by a majority vote of board members

Article VIII: Dissolution

  1. Dissolution Procedure

    • In the event of dissolution, UAO’s assets shall be distributed to organizations with similar purposes, as determined by the Board.

  2. Notice of Dissolution

    • Members shall be notified of the proposed dissolution at least 60 days in advance.

“You begin with anatomy and end with anatomy”

- Andrew Taylor Still (1828 - 1917)