Boston-based Harvard University Medical School has agreed to pay $53 million to settle civil lawsuits that accused the school of negligence in its handling of donated human remains.
The case centers on the conduct of Cedric Lodge, a former Harvard morgue manager, who was sentenced to eight years for interstate transport of stolen human remains. Mr. Lodge took body parts from donated cadavers after they had been used for teaching and research, but before they could be disposed of. He and his wife, Denise Lodge, were found to have sold organs and body parts out of their home in New Hampshire from 2018 through at least 2020, making tens of thousands of dollars. It’s estimated about 350 to 400 donated cadavers were affected.
As part of the settlement, Harvard will make a statement to claimant families in a live webinar affirming that Mr. Lodge’s conduct was “morally reprehensible” and inconsistent with Harvard’s standards, according to court documents. They will also provide a summary of changes made to the Anatomical Gift Program.
In 2023, the Office of President and Provost contracted three outside experts to conduct a review of the program. The experts made recommendations to change across governance, policies, communications, specimens, collections and facilities. These areas were assigned to a senior faculty member or administrator to oversee and have since been enacted.
Harvard is also establishing an annual financial aid scholarship for medical students beginning in the 2027-2028 academic year. The scholarship is intended to appreciate and honor all anatomic donors.
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