“As medical students, our journey through Anatomy has been more than just a rite of passage. It has been an intimate and humbling experience that has deepened our commitment to the field of medicine. The generosity of those who donated their bodies to science has strengthened our sense of responsibility—not only to learn and grow as physicians, but also to carry forward the lessons of compassion and selflessness.” Javier Sanchez, co-president of the Yale School of Medicine (YSM) MD Class of 2027, shared these sentiments with classmates, faculty, and family members of body donors to YSM, at the annual Service of Gratitude, traditionally held at the end of the year-long Anatomy course, in which medical students learn the structures and relationships within the human body as they begin the study of medicine, through dissection of the body.
Donors and families
Sanchez, along with fellow class co-president Jason Weinstein, organized and led the poignant ceremony on September 25 in the Anlyan Center, which included remarks, musical performances, and artwork, all expressing gratitude toward the donors and their families. For years, only members of the immediate medical school community participated. But this year, Sanchez and Weinstein also made a point of inviting relatives of the donors. Addressing the family members, Sanchez said, “Your presence means so much to us. On this night of reflection, we are deeply grateful for your choice to be part of this evening—and in doing so, a part of our journey. The generosity of your loved ones and your courage in being part of their story is something we will carry with us throughout our careers and lives.”
Weinstein echoed this gratitude to the donors and their families. “Tonight, as we are gathered here, we are reminded of the incredible generosity that has brought us together—the extraordinary gift of your loved ones. There are few words that can fully express our gratitude for what they have given. Their contribution goes beyond what we can touch or see. It reaches into the heart of what we do, shaping us not just as medical professionals, but as human beings.” He continued, “What they have given us is a gift that transcends time, living on in the lives we will help heal and the patients we will serve. The knowledge we’ve gained through this experience will not only guide our hands but remind us, always, of the strength and dignity of the human spirit.”
Symbolic peace lilies
The MD Class of 2027 offered each family a peace lily as a token of appreciation. Weinstein explained, “These plants symbolize rebirth, renewal, and life after death—a reminder that the gift your loved ones have given does not end here. It lives on, within us, and through the care we will provide to others. Just as these lilies will continue to grow, so will the legacy of your loved ones, thriving in our daily lives and our future work.” Attached to each plant was a handwritten note from students in the class, expressing gratitude in their own words.
Student contributions
Several classmates contributed to the program through video messages, artwork, and musical performances. Before singing “Over the Rainbow,” Uma Alappan shared, “I was eight or nine years old when I first sang this song at a recital for friends and family. The song for me brings back memories of loved ones, so I decided I would sing it today.” Classmates Rebecca Chang and Tiffany Jiang performed a musical duet of “Salut d’Amour” by Edward Elgar. Jiang told the audience, “The song is about love and care. It brings us comfort and we hope it brings you comfort as well.” Cecelia Tamburro shared that her experience in Anatomy invoked wonder, awe, and gratitude, which is why she decided sing the hymn “How Great Thou Art.” Tamburro encouraged anyone who knew the words to sing along, movingly leading a number of people, including family members, to join her for each rendition of the chorus.
Other student contributions included Chang and Chanseo Lee performing a musical duet of “Remember Me,” Ashley Wang, David Han, and Kexin Meng expressing gratitude in a video, Maria Gracia-Thomas and Kelly Butler creating and displaying paintings, and Sanchez reading prose he had composed.
Faculty reflections
John Francis, MD, PhD, associate dean for student affairs; Michael O’Brien, MD, PhD, assistant clinical professor of surgery (gastrointestinal); Linda Honan, PhD, MSN, professor emeritus of nursing; Charles Duncan, MD, senior research scientist and professor emeritus of neurosurgery; and William Stewart, PhD, associate professor of surgery (gross anatomy), each participated in the ceremony, expressing gratitude towards the donors and their families, and reflecting on the impact Anatomy had on the students.
Honan recalled meeting the students a year ago, and their “anxiety, excitement, fears, and tears,” when they first entered the anatomy room and were introduced to their first patient. “That was the day that solidified the reality that you are really doing this. You are becoming a physician, a healer, and here lay your first patient who was a complete stranger.” But now, Honan continued, “they are known to you and will appear many times over the coming years. When someone asks you about a certain surgery, like an ethereal memory, you will come back to your first patient. So even though you have left the third floor of anatomy, patient number one will keep returning to you to help you over the coming years. You have bonded.”
Duncan thanked the students “for the work and respect you have given our donors,” continuing, “In life they made a magnanimous decision to give you their remains for you to learn. Not easy for them, not easy for their families, and not easy for you. I suspect the impact of their decisions will reverberate with you for many years.”
In his reflections, Francis stated, “The gift of one’s own body after death is truly an act of altruism, humanism, and kindness. It is a gift of lasting magnitude that enables the students at YSM to learn. We consciously recognize that with the knowledge gained, thousands of future patients, who will be collectively cared for by our students, will reap untold benefits.” He continued, “We are grateful for this benevolent undertaking, and we are honored to have the opportunity to thank the families who are here today, as well as those who were unable to attend, for their loved one’s gift to medical education and clinical practice.”