A photo of students in the Cadaver Lab.

Robert “Bob” Ruzicka was hired as a full time instructor at Cloud County Community College in the fall semester 1970, and his specialized expertise in zoology, and human anatomy and physiology, went on to serve as a main component for the establishment of an Associate Degree Licensed Practical Nursing program in 1976. During his tenure at CCCC, Ruzicka established the Human Cadaver program. Cloud County Community College was the first community college in Kansas to have a human cadaver program and still leads the state in this endeavor. This program allows students the opportunity to dissect human body cadavers while taking anatomy and physiology courses. The Human Body dissection course is designed to give the more advanced student an opportunity for hands-on dissection experience with a human cadaver.

Cloud County Community College offers a variety of programs in the health science areas. These programs are focused on the basic premise that a student will transfer from CCCC to a bachelor’s or masters degree granting institution which will prepare them for the professional schools in the various health science areas.

If a health science program sounds like the career path for you, eventually you will need to earn some type of specialty degree. But your first step would be to get your associates degree here. Generally, you can choose any major, but, there are certain courses you will need to take here – things like, chemistry, human anatomy and physiology, and microbiology – to prepare you for bachelor’s level work and graduate school. Keep in mind that requirements vary at each transfer requirements. Many programs also require some previous working experience in a health care environment. You can meet that requirement by working as a nurses’ aid, an EMT or in some other way in a health care setting.

The science department prides itself with giving cadaver tours annually for the area high schools. Currently Joshua Urban, Instructor in Science, delivers presentations to area students who are enrolled in high school science classes in this field. Tours can be set up through the Science department.

A photo of the Junction City Cadaver Tour group.