Personnel

Professor, Department of Physical Therapy Education

Dr. Janet M. Cope is an anthropologist and clinical anatomist with expertise in skeletal pathology and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Professor Cope has taught clinical and gross anatomy for 30 years to students from a wide variety of health care related backgrounds. Dr. Cope has published several papers on the topic of formaldehyde safety and sociocultural topics as related to student and human donor interaction in the anatomy laboratory. Recently she has been assessing laws and ethics around working with human donors in the anatomy laboratory.

Assistant Professor, Physician Assistant Studies

Dr. Zimmerman is a physical therapist and board-certified specialist in orthopaedics with more than three decades of clinical experience across hospital-based, outpatient, and interdisciplinary settings. She has taught anatomy in Elon’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Education program since 2013 and has served as an anatomy educator for the Physician Assistant Studies program since 2019, where she teaches Human Anatomy I & II and integrates clinical reasoning, diagnostic imaging, and donor-based learning throughout her instruction.

Her work centers on creating emotionally supportive, evidence-based anatomical education that connects donor findings with real-world clinical practice.  Her scholarly interests include donor pathology and case-based learning, ethics of anatomical donation, diagnostic imaging, point-of-care ultrasound, and the application of anatomy to patient-centered clinical decision making.

Assistant Laboratory Professor, Physical Therapy Education & Physician Assistant Studies

Emma Burress is an educator with a background in anatomy, public health and maternal child health. Emma is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and works as the Clinical Coordinator for NC A&T State University’s Pathway II Human Lactation Program. Emma originally studied anatomy at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, and has worked with medical students, occupational therapy students, physical therapy students and physician assistant students in dissection education. Emma is currently enrolled in a doctoral program in health professions education with a focus in contemporary human anatomy education.

Anatomical Gift Program and Human Anatomy Laboratory Specialist

Dr. Balilionis is an anatomy donor preparation specialist and anatomy lab coordinator. He supports anatomy lab functions by preparing anatomy laboratory, managing equipment and donors, assisting with anatomy labs, and maintaining an organized workspace. A significant portion of his time is devoted to the Anatomical Gift Program, including donor management, transportation, preparation, and record maintenance.

Director, Elon University Anatomical Gift Program

As the Founding Director of the Anatomical Gift Program (AGP) at Elon University, Dianne Person is the public relations expert on anatomical donation that advances the institutional interests and acts in the best interest of the donor(s) and their family.  Ms. Person’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in developing the AGP, which has become a model of excellence in the field. Her expertise includes end-of-life education, death, dying, palliative care, and the healing arts. She is recognized nationally among Willed Body Program Directors for over twenty-five years of dedication to the field. Her commitment positions Elon University’s Anatomical Gift Program as beyond reproach for its sensitivity, caring, humanity, and respect.  Ms. Person is greatly responsible for the development of the program.  The AGP is the official entity for the procurement and final disposition of donated bodies for anatomy education in the School of Health Sciences.

Associate Professor, Physician Assistant Studies

Dr. Bennett joined the faculty of Elon University’s Department of Physician Assistant Studies in September 2012, bringing a unique mixture of didactic and clinical experience.  Her didactic experience includes teaching in middle and high school, as well as teaching Physician Assistant students and medical students/residents at The University of Florida, and serving as Adjunct Faculty with Duke University School of Medicine.  Dr. Bennett completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at The University of Florida in 1997, then worked as a private practice obstetrician-gynecologist from 1997- 2005.  She is the primary instructor for Medical Physiology, Pathophysiology and Reproductive Medicine/ Sexual Health during the didactic phase of Physician Assistant education at Elon University; she also created and manages the PA program’s Point of Care Ultrasound Program, which includes lessons in Sono anatomy. She enjoys bringing dynamism and clinical relevance to preclinical education.