The donation of a loved one's body to a medical school is a gift that can change many lives: those of medical students, the patients they treat in the future, and the families of the individual donors. On Tuesday, April 17, these families joined students and faculty at Weill Cornell Medical College to celebrate the lives of the donors and recognize the final gift they made to science and humanity.
Student a capella group, The Aneurhythms, perform "In Remembrance" at the Anatomy Memorial Service, April 17.
The annual ceremony marks the conclusion of the anatomy component of the "Human Structure and Function" course for first-year students. This year 102 first-year Weill Cornell students gratefully acknowledged the gift of 26 donors to their program through remembrances, poetry and musical performances by the Aneurhythms, a student a capella group, as well as by Charles Vorkas on the bouzouki and Kristin Taylor on the piano. Spiritual offerings were provided by the Rev. Curtis W. Hart and Rabbi Mark Popovsky.
"It is my great honor to remember these individuals who donated their bodies to science—they have made a very significant contribution to the understanding of the very complex and important subject of anatomy," said Dr. Estomih Mtui, associate professor of clinical anatomy in neurology, neuroscience and orthopaedic surgery, and director of the program in Anatomy and Body Visualization. "These individuals served as heroes and teachers for students and faculty and we thank them and their families for their generosity."
For students, a donor teaches students not just about the anatomy of a body, but about the sanctity of human life, a quality that human structure and function course director Dr. Thomas Maack called the "ability to see beyond the body" during his remarks at the memorial.
Student Jennifer Small said that she will always remember her donor "teaching us about the physical body and its many layers and through that experience, about the great responsibility of being a physician."
Other students emphasized the importance of the gift to their medical careers.
"We already know that this is the single most important gift anyone will make to our medical careers," said Peter Morganstern.
"They gave us knowledge that will last the rest of our careers," added Marie Bartholdi.
Indeed, all three Weill Cornell academic deans—Dr. Carol Storey-Johnson, Dr. Carlyle Miller and Dr. Peter Marzuk—acknowledged the profound impact anatomy left on them.
"My memories of the experience of anatomy are as real now 30 years later as it is for these students today," said Dr. Carol Storey-Johnson, senior associate dean for education.
Several families of donors attended the ceremony in Uris Hall and heard about the students' profound appreciation for donors.
"I am really grateful that we had this service, because it brings closure. Often, you're left wondering why your family member has given their body to science," said the daughter of one donor. "But this service has really enlightened me and I thank the students for that."
"My aunt's third home was Weill Cornell—whether she was receiving treatment or listening to public lectures," said a member of another donor's family. "I didn't at first agree with her decision to donate, but now I see how important it is and I'm glad she did."
Students express thanks to the donors' families.
While the ceremony was a moment of closure for donors' families, the lasting impact of the donors' gift is one that will continue in perpetuity.
"These individuals gave something only they could give—their bodies—and granted us a very special opportunity," said Dr. Peter Marzuk, associate dean for curricular affairs and director of the Office of Curriculum and Educational Development. "They have entrusted that one day these students will again make whole what is broken. Let us hope that we give something back to these 26 people: a legacy of service."
Photography by Amelia Panico.