About Us

Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564)

The Vesalius Trust is named after the pioneering Renaissance anatomist and physician, Andreas Vesalius. Vesalius was zealous about scientific observation and was one of the first anatomists to regularly teach from actual human body dissections.

In what has been called the greatest single contribution to medical science, his masterpiece is De Humani Corporis Fabrica (On the Structure of the Human Body), published in 1543. This work marks — with unusual clarity — the beginning of modern observational science and research. Fabrica is a melding of illustration, text, and typography into the quintessential paradigm of health science education.

In this spirit, the Vesalius Trust works to promote innovation in visual communication for the health sciences. Just as Vesalius took advantage of the technology and enlightenment of his time, so does the Vesalius Trust support use of developing information and technology to advance understanding of health science information.

History of the Trust

The Association of Medical Illustrators, a professional society of medically-trained visual communicators, sought to establish a public educational foundation to raise and maintain funds to be used for developing and supporting education and research within the field of medical illustration and related professions.

The Vesalius Trust for Visual Communication in the Health Sciences was incorporated as a non-profit public foundation in 1988. Since its founding, the Trust has supported scholarships, research grants, continuing professional education, and The Frank Netter Award, an international recognition program for exceptional contributions to medical education.