Anatomy lab named in honor of Saxenas’ journey in medicine
The Drs. Shailendra and Sandhya Saxena Gross Anatomy Laboratory has been named in honor of a couple whose lifelong dedication to medicine has been defined by education, research and compassionate patient care.
A May 1 event celebrated the lab’s naming for Shailendra Saxena, MD, PhD, and his wife, Sandhya Saxena, MD, who have influenced the lives of countless students, colleagues, patients and family members.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center holds special meaning for the Saxena family as it’s where Dr. Shailendra Saxena began his academic career in the United States. The couple arrived in Omaha in 1985 with two young children. Both children would later complete medical school at UNMC, training in the gross anatomy lab.
“Our time at UNMC shaped both our professional and personal lives, providing meaningful relationships that have lasted a lifetime,” the couple said in a statement. “It created opportunities for our family that we could not have imagined when we first arrived in Nebraska. We hope this lab continues to inspire and prepare future generations of health care professionals.”
In honor of their distinguished careers, individuals close to the couple made a gift commitment through the University of Nebraska Foundation to invest in the education and research mission of the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy in the UNMC College of Medicine. The Drs. Shailendra and Sandhya Saxena Gross Anatomy Laboratory Fund will exist in perpetuity to support the department.
“We are deeply grateful for this generous gift supporting the gross anatomy lab, a cornerstone of medical education,” said Vimla Band, PhD, Drs. Latta & Holyoke Centennial Professor of Anatomy and Ardith and Anna Von Housen Chair of the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy. “The lab’s new name is a fitting tribute to Drs. Shailendra and Sandhya Saxena, and the endowed fund established in their honor will strengthen a vital learning environment where future health care professionals gain foundational knowledge and respect for the human body that guides compassionate care. This enduring support ensures excellence in anatomy education for generations to come.”
Before coming to the United States, Dr. Shailendra Saxena earned his medical degree in India and completed advanced training in anatomy. At UNMC, he earned a master’s degree in 1987 and a doctorate in 1990. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications related to biomedical research. At UNMC, Dr. Saxena taught gross anatomy, living anatomy and embryology and earned multiple teaching honors, including the Golden Apple Award and the Alvin M. Earle Outstanding Health Science Educator Award.
In 1995, he joined Creighton University Medical Center, where he completed a residency in family medicine and served as a professor in the Department of Family Medicine. Throughout his career, he has taught and mentored students and residents.
Dr. Sandhya Saxena, who completed extensive training in obstetrics and gynecology in India, pursued a career as a family physician in Omaha. Through private practice and decades of patient care, she provided compassionate care to families in the community while balancing professional excellence and a devotion to family life.
The gift supports Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future, a historic effort to raise $3 billion from 150,000 unique benefactors to support the University of Nebraska. The campaign’s top priority is student access and success.
About the University of Nebraska Foundation
The University of Nebraska Foundation grows relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives. During fiscal year 2025, a record $416.6 million was committed to aid UNK, UNL, UNO, NCTA and UNMC and its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine. In addition, a record 60,602 donors supported the University of Nebraska. Alumni engagement and fundraising are efficient, with the University of Nebraska receiving more than $7 in gifts for every $1 spent. Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future is the current campaign with a goal to raise $3 billion from 150,000 unique benefactors to support the University of Nebraska. More information is at OnlyinNebraska.org.