The gift of knowledge
Like many medical schools in the United States, the Florida State University College of Medicine relies on individual donors to provide the cadavers used in the clinical anatomy course for first-year students. One thing Course Director Lynn Romrell promises those who give is that they will be treated with the utmost respect.
Romrell, associate dean for medical education, understands better than anyone how the anatomy course teaches more than science.
“I want the students to realize that these are real people who really did carefully consider their donations of the body,” Romrell said. “I want the students to realize this is a thoughtful gift.”
Part of the lesson in compassion includes the course-ending memorial service. The first-year class annually holds a service to pay tribute and give thanks to those who donated their bodies. All 120 students in the class have a chance to speak or share written thoughts about what they learned.
The 2012 Cadaver Memorial Service is scheduled Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. in the College of Medicine auditorium. Students from the Class of 2016, Bridge and the Geriatrics Interest Group invite all students, faculty and others to attend and share in a ceremony built on gratefulness and compassion.
