School honours donors at annual Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration
On 17 April, the School of Medicine held its annual Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration at St Salvator’s Chapel. The event, honouring those who have donated their bodies for medical teaching and research, provided a poignant opportunity to reflect and give thanks.
Speaking on the privilege of learning from donated bodies, undergraduate students described the experience as an invaluable means of translating medical theory into practical understanding. Learning about the lives of donors, students shared, also reinforced the importance of adopting a holistic approach to patient care – treating the whole person rather than simply the condition.
The theme of “A hidden life” resonated throughout the service, echoed in readings from psalms and excerpts from literature, including George Eliot’s Middlemarch. These passages underscored the significance of the often-overlooked contributions of ordinary individuals to the betterment of humanity. An engaging sermon further developed this theme, thanking the donors and their families for selflessly enhancing the education of students they will never meet.
Following the service, a reception in Lower College Hall offered a chance for students and staff to connect with donor families in a more informal setting. Members of the School were able to express their appreciation in person and learn more about the donors from whom they have been privileged to learn so much.
If you would like to learn more about the School of Medicine’s Body Donation programme, please email [email protected].