COMPASSIONATE MEDICINE
We provide three essential benefits to families experiencing a loss:
information, understanding and piece of mind.
About Autopsy Center of Chicago
The Autopsy Center provides compassionate, comprehensive, caring service for families in bereavement.
Casework is meticulous and interactions with families are warm and emotionally available. We work to transform the confusing into the clear; the uncertain into the manageable; the unknown into the known. The founder, Dr. Ben Margolis, received his B.A. from Harvard University and his M.D. from the University of Chicago. Read more About the Center….
Autopsy Center is currently enrolling a small number of patients with end-stage cancer in our Tumor Donation Program. Enrollment is currently limited to patients in hospice near death. Interested families should contact us at 855-8-AUTOPSY ext. 2
Latest News, Events and Articles
Blog
1/3/15 New Seminar: Incisions and Insights: Autopsy After Surgery Our series, “Autopsy Center Presents” continues at the International Museum of Surgical Science. Our new event, Incisions and Insights follows our critically acclaimed introductory seminar, Science to Humanity: The Autopsy. Incisions and Insights focuses solely on autopsies when the death occurs during or after a surgery (or procedure). Join Dr. Margolis for a in-depth and balanced exploration of what becomes of lives placed in the hands of our most trusted physicians — surgeons. Come armed with curiosity and questions for a journey below the staple line.
12/29/14 Monthly Case: Undiagnosed Pancreatic Cancer This patient died of cancer and no one knew where the cancer started. The autopsy showed it started in the pancreas. Learn how the findings shed light on the patient’s clinical events and diagnosis. Read more.
12/29/14 Legislative Update: Public Act 98-0988: Nursing Home – Anonymous Complaints Citizen complaints about nursing homes serve as an important check in this complex system of long term health care. A recent law updates the process. Read more.
10/27/14 Monthly Case: Congestive Hepatomegaly This patient had a minor procedure followed by a long hospitalization. At autopsy, the liver was found to be twice as big as normal. Should the family worry about liver disease? Was this the result of a problem somewhere else in the body? Or what caused the liver to become so massive? Read more.
8/16/14 10 Questions for Cancer. Autopsy Center is establishing a community-based Tumor Donation Program. Tumor Donation allows patients with cancer to donate their tumor to research and make a difference for the next generation. We appreciate your input as we undertake this important work. Let us know your thoughts by taking our 10-question survey. Thank you for participating.
10 Questions for Cancer
In the News
January, 2015 “In Light Of Possible Abuse At Body Donation Centers, Experts Offer Advice.” Dr. Margolis interviewed on how families can protect themselves and their loved one when exploring body donation options. Read the complete article.
October 18, 2014
Morton Grove press conference on SIU student death.
Dr. Margolis discusses case.
October 7, 2014
NBC 5 Investigates SIU death
Interview with Dr. Margolis
Click here for video.
January, 2014. “Margolis pays special attention to the family’s story and concerns…. “I never really thought about what an autopsy can do for a family,” [an attendee at Science to Humanity: The Autopsy] said. “I never saw the emotional aspect.” Read the complete article written by Life Matters Media.
May, 2013 “…the top expert in Chicago” “…sensitive” “…impartial” Read about Dr. Margolis in the May, 2013 issue of Chicago Magazine, “This Is What Really Happens During an Autopsy.”
From the Director’s Desk
January 2015
Happy New Year.
2015 inaugurates our Tumor Donation Program.
Patients with cancer cannot typically participate in organ donation. Autopsy Center’s Tumor Donation Program enables patients with cancer to donate tumor tissue to research instead. It’s an empowering choice for patients and families looking to make a difference for the next generation. We are beginning with a small pilot program. Learn more about the program and how you can participate here.
We have developed a new seminar for the public following the critically acclaimed event, Science to Humanity. The new seminar, Incisions and Insights: Autopsy After Surgery, focuses on autopsies when the death occurs during or after a surgery. Join Dr. Margolis at the International Museum of Surgical Science for an engaging and balanced perspective on this interesting topic.
Dr. Margolis’s poem, Mariner, has been recently accepted for publication in the Journal of the American Medical Assocation. Stay tuned for the link in March (March 17 publication date).
Sincerely,
Ben Margolis, M.D.
Director
