On April 22, first-year medical students gathered for the Anatomy Memorial Service, an annual tribute to remember and honor the men and women who donated their bodies for science. The 104 students of the Class of 2011 sang, read poems and offered personal thanks to the 26 individuals and their families who generously gave of themselves for the benefit of medical education.
A capella group The Aneurhythms performing "Be Still, My Soul" at the Anatomy Memorial Service, April 22.
The Memorial Service marks the end of the anatomy component of the "Human Structure and Function" course for first-year students, often a rite of passage for many students.
"It wasn't until we started this course that the enormity of the responsibility of being a physician was appreciated and realized by our group," said William Gordon. "We are truly humbled by our donors' gifts."
Dr. Carol Storey-Johnson, senior associate dean for education, reminded students that many of their most important teachers will be their patients. "No member of our faculty can teach you in the way that the donors have," she said.
"We'd like to thank you for taking us away from the figures, charts and diagrams, and bringing us back to the humanity of medicine," added Heather Player, in remembrance of her group's donor, Helen J.
Special acknowledgement was given to the families of donors, many of whom were in attendance.
Photography by Weill Cornell Art & Photography.