UC Davis School of Medicine students from the class of 2011 held what was likely the largest memorial service in the school’s history to honor individuals who have donated their bodies to support medical research and education.

Almost 300 students, faculty members and donor families attended the memorial ceremonies Sept. 26 at the Mondavi Center. The event included a reading of the first names of donors, musical performances by students (guitar, piano, violin and voice) and refreshments.

Empathy, compassion

“The study of anatomy has given me more than just knowledge of the structures of the body. I walk away with a deeper appreciation for life,” said Sahar Doctorvaladan, a second-year medical student at UC Davis and one of the coordinators of the event. “As we move forward in our education, we must strive to remain empathetic and compassionate with our patients, and we are deeply indebted and grateful to the families who donated the ultimate gift for the sake of our learning.”

Medical students work with human cadavers in the first semester of their first year of training at the School of Medicine in the gross anatomy lab. Over the course of six months, students conduct dissections from the chest through the abdomen, pelvis, head and neck to the limbs to learn about body structures in a way that cannot be done through a textbook or computerized graphics.

Cadavers also are used in research laboratories to better understand disease. They also play an important role in emergency medicine and other specialty care training, where physicians must practice new surgical techniques to save lives.

‘Show respect’

“This ceremony is a way for us to show respect for the donors and gratitude to their families,” said Doctorvaladan. “Our anatomy class takes us on a journey and is a unique experience.”

UC Davis anatomy classes are unique opportunities for students to learn what the human body looks like both inside and out. The goal is not only to learn anatomy, but also to develop a genuine appreciation and respect for the individuals who have donated their bodies. In some respects, donated bodies are a medical student’s first patient.

Students say it is not uncommon to write notes and poems of appreciation in honor of the once-living individuals who have enabled them to learn about human anatomy and had a powerful impact on their lives.

Life lessons in the lab

“Many of my first life lessons at medical school were learned inside the anatomy lab,” said Meghan McClure, another second-year medical student who is helping coordinate the memorial event.

“Although I knew nothing about my cadaver except her age and probable cause of death, I mourned her after our final exam and came back to the lab, held her hand and cried. I was so thankful for the educational opportunity she had given me.”

For more information about the donation process, call (916) 734-9560, e-mail DBPinfo@ucdavis.edu or visit ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/cellbio/donatedbodyprogram.

Charles Casey is a senior public information representative for the UC Davis Health System.