Why Some Medical Students Give Their Cadavers Names

<p>Why</a> Some Medical Students Are Learning Their Cadavers? Names | Healthland | TIME.com</p>

<p>Time magazine article about the trend in first year anatomy toward "humanizing" their cadavers--even to the point of meeting/corresponding with the donor's families.</p>

<p>~~~~~</p>

<p>D1's med school does this. Last year, the med school created a Sculpture Garden of Healing outside the hospital and near the Cancer Center. (Designs were submitted by architecture students/faculty, has 30 days of open public comment and selected by a committee that included med students, med school faculty, hospital administrators and members of the public.)</p>

<p>First years get a mini-bio of the cadavers and are told their first names. In the spring, after the cadavers have been cremated, the remains are returned to the families at med a memorial service organized by the med students to thank the donors and their families. There are speakers, choirs, and peronalized letters of thanks from the students. Donor's name are also engraved on a plaque that's a centerpiece of the Garden. This year each donor's family received a gift from the med students--a living tree.</p>

<p>Sculpture</a> Garden of Healing : UNM Health Sciences Center</p>

<p>Sculpture</a> Garden of Healing : UNM Health Sciences Center</p>

<p>How many of you would donate your bodies to be used as cadavers? I would.</p>

<p>My work colleague has already signed up to donate her body. I’ve already spoken to my family about the possibility. If my organs are not usable for transplantation, I’ve asked my family to donate my body as an anatomical cadaver for medical students.</p>

<p>SSnakes-- if you are sincere, you need to tell someone your preferences. It’s not something the family of young person usually thinks of. (Nor will hospital staff ask about it, though they may ask about organ donation.) </p>

<p>Btw, anyone care to guess which professions end up providing over half of donors nationally?</p>

<p>(Answer: nurses and teachers.)</p>