Dr. Estomih Mtui addresses the audience at the 2004 Anatomy Memorial Service.
At the "Anatomy Memorial Service: Remembering Those Who Gave Themselves to Humankind," first-year students in Weill Cornell's Program in Gross Anatomy and Body Visualization hosted a moving tribute for those who donated their bodies for the benefit of medical and scientific study.
During the annual service—held April 20 in Uris Auditorium—26 donors were remembered through song, music, speeches and prose: Margaret, William, Harry, Ella Mae, Maurice, Jane, Archie, Vincent, Helen, Carol, Ethel, Doris "A," John, Thomas, Ruth, Doris "B," George, Bob, Carl, Isabel, James, Dorothy, Caryll, Simeon, Mary and Arthur.
Joanna Spencer on flute; Karen Hollingsworth on viola.
Groups of three or four students were matched with a donor for study during their first-year anatomy classes. Family members of the body donors were thanked for supporting their relatives' selfless acts and students also showed their appreciation for each cadaver donor by placing flowers in their remembrance.
Dr. Estomih Mtui, director of the Program in Anatomy and Body Visualization and associate professor of clinical anatomy in neurology and neuroscience, provided the opening remarks, welcoming faculty, staff and members of the Class of 2007.
Before the flower presentation ceremony began, Eric Salazar, '07, played a touching rendition of "Amazing Grace" on harmonica.
Justin McClain places flowers in remembrance of donors.
After Salazar's tribute, Rev. Curtis Hart, director of Pastoral Care and Education at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell and lecturer in public health, medicine and psychiatry, spoke on the reasons behind the day's gathering: "We were brought here together today in the spirit of solemnity, reflection and goodness. These three attributes... establish a context for understanding this occasion. These are watchwords—signs of inner growth, personal maturity, and self-assurance into the coming of professional healer."
Following Rev. Hart's talk, Anuj Mehta, president of the Class of 2007, asked members of his class to share their words of remembrance:
"Isabel showed us the importance of selflessness," said Robert McGinty, '07, adding, "We are forever indebted to you. May our future service to others be our gift to you."
From left: Joshua Hagen, Sarah Collins, Howard Heching, Melissa Coleman and Anuj Mehta.
Joshua Muyderman, '07, noted, "we all have had a lot of teachers in the past and we learned much less from those who spoke more."
Speaking on behalf of his group, Jaehon Kim, '07, said, "Just like Professor Mtui, Arthur was a great educator. Arthur never lost his patience with us and silently answered all of our questions. He never complained when we made mistakes. I believe that Arthur touched many people's lives during his lifetime. And, he touched three more lives when he came to (Weill) Cornell to teach."
After the flower presentation ceremony, Joanna Spencer and Karen Hollingsworth played three selections on flute and viola, respectively, by renowned composer Harald Genzmer.
Members of the Class of 2007 sing H.F. Chorley's "The Long Day Closes."
Dr. Mtui then introduced a special guest who had recently decided to donate her body to the Medical College. The living donor, who requested anonymity, was honored during a brief presentation given by Dr. Mtui:
"After 25 years as an X-ray technician at the New York Hospital, (this donor) had one mission in life: to go and help other human beings." (The anonymous donor is currently working as a volunteer at the Hospital for Special Surgery.) Dr. Mtui later continued, "It is the first time in the history of the Medical College that a living donor be present at this ceremony, and, on behalf of the Medical College and our students, we thank you sincerely."
In addition, nine students from the Class of 2007 serenaded the audience with an a cappella version of H.F. Chorley's "The Long Day Closes."
Before the program drew to a close, some of Weill Cornell's academic deans spoke on the significance of the occasion, including Dr. Bruce Ballard, associate dean for Student Affairs and Equal Opportunity Programs and associate professor of clinical psychiatry; Debra Gillers, associate dean for academic affairs; Dr. Peter Marzuk, associate dean for curricular affairs, director of the Office of Curriculum and Educational Development, and associate professor of psychiatry; and Dr. Thomas Maack, director of the Human Structure and Function Course, professor of physiology and biophysics, and professor of physiology in medicine, who gave the closing remarks.
Photos by Weill Cornell Art & Photo.