Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest (COMP-Northwest) and College of Health Sciences-Northwest (CHS-Northwest) students held their annual donor memorial service on April 26, 2024. During the memorial, students gatheredwith the families and friends of donor patients to recognize theservice of those who have donated their bodies to medical education.

WesternU students lit candles in honor of volunteer donors. (Luke Rauch, WesternU)

The memorial, organized by the Student Government Association (SGA),included two musical performances by first-year COMP-Northwest students Stanley Feng (piano), Nicole Yuzon (violin),Christian Olsen (viola), and wife of second-year COMP-Northwest student Eliza Mendel (piano).Following the musical numbers, Olsen, as a member of the Military Medical Association, recognizedand thankedthe veteran donors whohadserved in the U.S. military. Samaritan Health Services Chaplain Wes Sedlacek provided a brief message to families and thanked the donors for their contributions to medicine.SGA students read the names of each volunteerdonor, lighting a candle in their honor. After, students read stories about the donors that were previously submittedby families and friendswhile a slideshow presentation showed images from throughout their lives. The memorial concluded with a moment of silence.

"Students see pictures and hear stories about their donor's life. It really is amazing and touching to see students learn about this person they have spent so much time with, and the families and friends meet the students and see who their loved one has been helping," said COMP-Northwest Vice Chair and Assistant Professor of Anatomy Edie Sperling, DPT. "We want to deeply thank and honor the people who gave their bodies to WesternU Oregon so that students can learn and become absolutely the best possible health care providers they can."

COMP-Northwest student Elizabeth Eckenrod speaks at WesternU Oregon's Donor Patient Memorial service. (Luke Rauch, WesternU)

Since the start of the school year in August, students have been working closely with their cadavers to gain hands-on experience on topics discussed in their lectures. First-year COMP-Northwest student Elizabeth Eckenrod explained how valuable the opportunity to work with these donors has been, saying she did not consider any medical schools that do not utilize cadaver education.

"We started with muscles. We learned all the muscles then we would go in and dissect all the muscles. We started with arms then went to legs. It was crazy, because you would hearabout something in a lecture then go and actually seeit, which is priceless," Eckenrod said."Asthe year comes to aclosethis is a really great wayfor us to sit down and show respectto our donorsbecauseit'sso special to all of us and we'reso respectful of our donors. I think it'sreally importantfor us to all come together and be able to thank them, have a space to do that, and thank their families."

Dr. Edie Sperling talks about the important role donors play in teaching students anatomy, surgical skills, communication and resilience. (Luke Rauch, WesternU)

Full-body donation allows WesternU students the opportunity to learn about the human body early in their medical careers. Donors provide students with a wealth of knowledge, becoming their first patients as health care professionals.

"Without our donors, we would have no anatomy lab. Some schools are moving towards more online or virtual education, and while there'sa place for that, the anatomy lab combines visual, kinesthetic, and spatial learning in a way that virtual education cannot," Dr. Sperling said. "Not only do our students learn anatomy, theylearn surgical skills from using a scalpel, interpersonal skills from working in a team, professionalism, communication, and time management. They also grow as a person by facing the often intimidating and overwhelming anatomy lab and finding the strength and resilience to succeed there."

Those interested in learning more about the Body Donation Program (BDP) or how to become a donor can visit the body donation webpage.

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