WVSOM Human Gift Registry Memorial Recognizes Donors - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

First-year medical students at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg came together for a ceremony this week to honor the 58 people who donated their bodies to the school to benefit the anatomical training of new physicians.

The Human Gift Registry Memorial Service is a final tribute for families of those who donated their bodies to advance science and educate the next generation of medical doctors. Students in the Class of 2015 thanked the families and friends of those who donated and expressed how each gift impacted their lives.

"Your loved ones gave our medical school a special gift," said Andrew Nackashi, class president. "This generous gift to the Class of 2015 has impacted us all significantly. It made us think of family, those who have passed and those who are still with us. Yet knowledge was the ultimate gift of these individuals who mean so much to you and who now have a special place in our hearts."

Janaki Nandam said the selfless generosity of each donor not only enhanced the students' education, but also taught them lessons that will impact future generations.

"The knowledge we've acquired from your loved ones was not simply for the purpose of understanding science or so that we could pass arbitrary exams that mark the many milestones on our path to becoming physicians," Nandam told family members. "Know that the knowledge was a gift, an invaluable gift, which will resonate through our medical careers and affect countless lives."

Peter Ward, course director for anatomical sciences, said students are forever indebted to the donors because, in a way, these individuals are medical students' first patients.

Mary Hamra, Human Gift Registry director, said that students come to WVSOM to acquire the knowledge and skills they will need to become physicians and that journey begins with the donors' gift.

"The donors' gift, your gift, is one that lives on in each and every one of our students — with every application of knowledge and skill, with every healing decision, with every compassionate touch — your loved ones live on," she said.

The service included words of appreciation from local pastor Mike Estep and musical presentations by students and faculty. A first-year student presented an Islamic prayer with English interpretation and a congregational sharing was open to family and friends who wanted to share stories about their loved ones.