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Having been raised by a physician, I was exposed to the world of medicine from birth. A personal devotion to service and science was fostered by constant encouragement from my parents and culminated in where I am today. And after years of preparation, choosing where to go to medical school weighed heavily on me, but Marian University’s Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-WCOM) turned out to be everything I needed and more.
When multiple major life events interrupted my first-year studies, the staff and students at Marian supported me through it all. I felt comfortable sharing both my victories and struggles, the latter of which was the anatomy lab. No one knows exactly how they will feel when meeting their donor for the first time, least of all me, but I did not expect the emotional and spiritual aspects to be the most challenging. My time in the anatomy lab deeply impacted both my medical knowledge and my perspective on autonomy, identity, and service. It was because of this experience that I felt compelled to attend the Donor Memorial Ceremony.
Such vital aspects of my professional and personal life are owed to the people I never met but knew so intimately. Countless hours were spent with them, learning from them, and developing a bond with them. Because of this, I feel as though I can never fully repay the donors for their dedication to my education. When the call for ceremony volunteers first came out, I recognized the opportunity immediately as the place to start giving my thanks. My role included delivering flowers to the family members, a role I chose on purpose so that I could connect face-to-face with the community each donor knew, loved, and left behind. Not only would this ceremony be important to the families, but also to my own sense of peace after having spent so long with our “first patients.”
As names were called, we delivered a rose to the supporter present. Name after name rang out through the auditorium. Name after name of someone who donated something so personal—their own body—for the benefit of future generations of physicians. To say their commitment to my medical education was important is an understatement; it was the foundation. Additionally, the family members sacrificed their own time and energy to assist the donation, a job accepted in the midst of grief. Such commitment is admirable and was honored during the event as well. The ceremony itself, with music and shared stories, was a beautiful way to remember the donors.
After the speeches and naming, a small banquet was held outside the theater. Here I got the chance to shake hands with the family members and hear their favorite stories about the life of their donor. It would be a lie to say the event was without sorrow; tears were shed, and the grief of loss weighed heavily on the audience members, but the acknowledgment of each donor’s immense impact made that weight a little lighter. While I didn’t know each and every donor for the year, I could provide assurance to every family I met about the vital role of donors in medical education [video]. In the midst of providing care and a listening ear, I too was assured about my education and path toward becoming a physician. Despite not having another anatomy lab in my second year, I plan on returning for future memorials as a way to continue validating and honoring the gift of anatomical donation as much as I can, for both me and the community.
Kayla Gaerte is a second-year osteopathic medical student studying at Marian University Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine. Kayla has a passion for social determinants of health, wellness initiatives, and becoming a well-rounded physician while exploring different specialties. In their freetime, Kayla enjoys playing guitar, cross-stitching, and trying their hand at furniture restoration.
Discover the voices of Marian University's health professions students through "Franc Notes", a vibrant, student-led blog that embodies our Franciscan commitment to community, reflection, and compassionate service. Inspired by the rhythm of "SOAP notes," it features weekly insights—from "DO Diaries" interviews with physicians to summer reflections and program spotlights—fostering collaboration across disciplines."
