UAMS College of Medicine freshmen gathered on Dec. 9 to pay homage to the individuals who donated their bodies for the Human Structure course, which helps future physicians learn the complexities of human anatomy and begin to understand the fundamental humanity of medicine.
“Their lives may have ended, but their legacy has just begun,” Class of 2029 Vice President Carson Wleklinski explained in his opening remarks at a ceremony in Walton Auditorium. “It lives on in our hands, in our minds, and in the care we will provide to thousands of patients over the course of our careers. So, to our silent teachers, we offer our deepest humility and our eternal gratitude.”
The ceremony, held annually since 1999, included tributes of poetry, music, displayed artwork and more. Before the service drew to a close, 100-plus students filed to the front of the auditorium to place a red, pink or yellow rose in a cluster of vases, creating a vibrant memorial to the donors.