Sylvia Trent-Adams, president of the University of North Texas Health Science Center, has announced her resignation following revelations about the institution’s controversial use of unclaimed bodies for medical research.
The decision, effective January 31, comes months after an NBC News investigation exposed the center’s practice of dissecting and leasing out unclaimed corpses without the consent of families or next of kin. Despite the resignation announcement, the university’s brief statement praised Trent-Adams’ “dedication, integrity, and respect” but omitted any direct mention of the scandal.
NBC News reported in September that over five years, the Fort Worth-based center had acquired approximately 2,350 unclaimed bodies from local counties. Many of these bodies were used to train medical students or leased to outside organizations, including biotech companies and the U.S. Army.
This operation generated about $2.5 million annually.
Families of some of the deceased were unaware of the program until reporters identified and contacted them, sparking outrage and demands for answers. The investigation also uncovered that the bodies, including those of U.S. veterans, were sometimes shipped across state lines without proper oversight.
The university responded to the initial investigation by suspending its body donation program, dismissing key officials, and enlisting a consulting firm to assess the program’s operations. In an internal email, Trent-Adams acknowledged “a lack of sufficient controls and oversight” within the center’s Willed Body Program and admitted the program had failed to meet ethical and professional standards.
Despite these measures, many students and faculty expressed dismay, with some questioning the administration’s commitment to the principle of consent in medical ethics.
NBC News published the names of hundreds of individuals whose remains were used by the center, leading over 25 families to come forward. Abigail Willson, who discovered her mother’s inclusion in the program through the published list, recounted a frustrating and dismissive response from the university when she sought information. She and her family waited for a promised meeting with Trent-Adams that never materialized, further deepening their mistrust.
The fallout extended beyond public outrage.
In November, the Texas Funeral Service Commission ordered the university to halt the practice of water cremation, or body liquefaction, citing its illegality under state law. Although the university disputed the commission’s interpretation, it ceased the practice the same day the NBC News investigation was published.
Trent-Adams, who joined the university in 2021 after a distinguished career in the military and a stint as acting U.S. surgeon general, faced significant challenges inherited from previous leadership. However, critics argue that her administration failed to take timely and effective action to address the deeply ingrained problems within the Willed Body Program.
Efforts to connect with affected families and rebuild trust have been slow and incomplete.