MERCER COUNTY NEOUCOM official: College gave body parts to doctor

The doctor said he was using the limbs for surgical research.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
MERCER, Pa. --The Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine said it gave the human limbs to Dr. Ranulfo V. Gracilla that authorities found in freezers in a barn on the doctor's property.
Two plumbers hired by Dr. Gracilla, a retired orthopedic surgeon, to work in the barn on his property at 302 Clay Furnace Road in Jefferson Township discovered human limbs in one of the freezers and called police around 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Pennsylvania State Police said the plumbers had to move the freezers and opened them to determine if they were empty. They saw what appeared to be a human foot and immediately left the scene and called Jefferson/Clark Regional Police.
That department requested state police assistance with what initially appeared to be a suspicious death.
State police secured a search warrant and found numerous limbs, but no heads or torsos, in both freezers.
The body parts were taken to the Erie County forensic laboratory for examination.
Associated with college
Dr. Gracilla told authorities that he is a clinical assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at NEOUCOM in Rootstown, Ohio, and that he was conducting medical research on the body parts.
Pat Crowley, director of public relations for NEOUCOM, confirmed that Dr. Gracilla has held that position since 1984 and teaches anatomy and surgical anatomy classes. Clinical assistant professors are volunteers who aren't paid for their services, he said.
Crowley also confirmed that NEOUCOM gave the body parts to Dr. Gracilla to use in his research, a common practice engaged in by the physician numerous times in the past and by other instructors as well.
That's something that medical schools do, Crowley said, adding that the body parts are all carefully cataloged when given out and must be returned when the instructors are done with them.
Dr. Gracilla makes periodic mission trips to the Philippines, where he performs free surgeries, and he uses the limbs to test the use of various surgical techniques to be used on joints, Crowley said.
Dr. Gracilla has always complied with NEOUCOM's rules regarding the use of body parts, Crowley said.
Still investigating
Trooper Michael Kokoski said investigators are trying to confirm that Dr. Gracilla got the body parts legally and stored them legally.
The investigation should be completed by the middle of next week, he said.
James Epstein, Mercer County district attorney, said the body parts all appeared to be wrapped in paper, but they were not labeled and were stored in unlabeled freezers with no biohazard warnings.
Telephone calls to Dr. Gracilla's home Thursday were met with a constant busy signal.