Students honor first patients at Cadaver Memorial
Students from the Class of 2029 honored their first patients during the annual McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston Cadaver Memorial Service on Jan. 6.
Upon completion of the Gross Anatomy course each year, first-year students show their appreciation to individuals who donated their bodies for medical science through the McGovern Medical School Willed Body Program.
“As we are learning anatomy throughout the semester, it’s easy to get sucked into studying and focusing on what we need to learn,” said Blake Bruneman. “To have the opportunity to take this moment and reflect on what it actually means to have human body donors to study medicine is an amazing privilege and a unique experience that not a lot of programs offer, like McGovern Medical School does.”
The memorial ceremony featured musical performances from first-year medical students Paul Kim (piano and cello), Mariele Patungan (vocals), David Kurian (piano), Laila Fahed (vocals), Noah Mathai (guitar), and Victoria Hlavinka (violin). Students then lit 42 candles to honor each of the 42 individuals who donated their bodies to medical education.
“This event is something where we get to look back and appreciate everything, especially the bodies that made this possible,” said Claire Lewis. “It’s important to reflect on where you were and where we are now, and how much we’ve grown. I truly appreciate these patients. Today, it was mentioned that all humans are the same, but we are also different, and I think we learned that lesson in anatomy.”
Claire Hulsebosch, PhD, professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy and the keynote speaker for the event, shared memories from her own experience with her first patient and encouraged students to remember the lessons and knowledge gained from the Gross Anatomy course.
About the Willed Body Program
Since the late 1970s, the Willed Body Program has provided McGovern Medical School faculty with specimens used in the education of students. The program receives more than 400 donations each year, meeting the needs of medical student education. It also supports additional programs in the Houston area and across the state, as well as resident and physician training in surgical techniques at Houston-area hospitals.
The gift of one’s body is an invaluable contribution to the education of future physicians and, ultimately, the advancement of medical science. Individuals interested in learning more about the Willed Body Program should contact Icelynn Lackings, senior administrative coordinator, at 713-500-5603.