Memorial Service 2016

The Medical School Class of 2019 presented a Memorial Service for the families and friends of Anatomical Gift Donors on Saturday, May 7, 2016. The service is planned by the first year medical students each year to express their thanks and gratitude for the amazing gift each donor has made. The students acknowledged, "The generosity of our anatomical donors and their families has made it possible for a new generation of physicians to learn the art of medicine. For this, we are eternally grateful."

This year approximately 300 family members joined the students for a service, Brittany Berk acted as host for the service, with a welcome by Michele Pugnaire, MD, Senior Associate Dean for Educational Affairs, and faculty guest speaker Melissa Fischer, MD, MEd, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education. Student Geargin Wilson read a letter of thanks and Simon Ostrowski and Elena Stansky recited the Donor Names. Docapella, the UMass Student a Capella group performed In My Life by the Beatles and Seasons of Love from the musical Rent. J. Sully Sullivan on piano and Elizabeth Ferzacca on violin performed Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 73. Student Erica Kwiatkowski read a poem titled The Gift. Abigail Koppes, the granddaughter of an anatomical donor discussed his gift and how it affected her family and the inspiration for making the gift. The service ended with Tiffany Chen reading the poem In Gratia written by her and Melissa McCarthy.

The Memorial Service Committee was assisted by Amanda Bechtel, Director of Anatomical Services, Ruth Lopriore, Coordinator of Anatomical Services and Cindy Wilson, Assistant to Max Rosen, the Chair of Radiology. The students also thanked the course faculty "who offered us their passion and their patience on a daily basis" – Yasmin Carter, PhD, Anne Gilroy, MS, and Eustathia Lela Giannaris, PhD.

Following the service there was a light lunch where the students and family members found an opportunity to talk and learn more about the donors and the student's education. One family member wrote "It was helpful to 'meet' the medical students. They seemed very caring and hearing how Pat's generous gift of herself will help others was helpful too. So, thank you all for your efforts and everyone at UMass Chan."