Medical School Class of 2022 Honors the Selfless Gift of Whole Body Donation

Pictured: The Class of 2022 on the Long Island campus dedicated this plaque in recognition of the selfless generosity of the men and women who donated their bodies to science.

The generous act of whole body donation not only allows medical students to study the complexities of human anatomy far beyond the abilities of a textbook but also provides students with a greater appreciation for human life.

Donor memorial ceremonies at both the Long Island and Jonesboro NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) locations paid tribute to the men and women who donated their bodies to science. At both locations, the NYITCOM Class of 2022 conveyed a sincere appreciation for these individuals and recognized their selfless generosity.

The May 7 Long Island campus ceremony was organized by the NYITCOM Office of Student Life in coordination with the Department of Anatomy. Following an indoor ceremony at the Hannah and Charles Serota Academic Center, which included a moving performance of “Smile” by the Note-O-Chords, students gathered at the Tree of Life near the Riland pond for a moment of reflection.

“The altruistic donation of your loved one is the driving motivational force that puts meaning behind our countless hours of studying, day in and day out,” said Amanda Milburn, Class of 2022 president for the Long Island campus.  

Class President Dakarai Moton holds the Class of 2022 gift in honor of those who donated their bodies to the Jonesboro site.

The Jonesboro Class of 2022 held its donor ceremony on April 26 in Wilson Hall Auditorium. Class President Dakarai Moton opened the ceremony by presenting the class gift, a Tree of Life orb that is now displayed in the cases in front of the dean’s suite.

Student doctors and faculty members shared personal reflections and their gratitude to the donors. Several student-doctors delivered musical performances to honor those who gave their bodies for the students’ medical education. Student-doctor Kenneth Tiffany concluded the ceremony by playing Joe Satriani’s guitar instrumental “Always With Me, Always With You,” as each attendee placed a carnation in vases located near the stage.

“The Tree of Life orb highlights how out of a seemingly grim topic, death, can come a tremendously noble and good deed,” said Moton. “From their sacrifice, these donors have given us an opportunity to obtain a skillset that will help us to save lives, allowing their legacy to live on in our future work. The Tree of Life orb embodies this legacy, representing a fertile ground for the wellbeing of others to be planted and bloom.”