The Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine holds memorial to honor body donors’ contribution to medical education

The ������ý Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine honored the individuals who made the extraordinary decision to donate their bodies to medical education during the annual Body Donor Memorial Service. The ceremony brought together students, faculty, families and friends to pay tribute to those whose final act was a gift of knowledge and healing.

The Body Donor Program enables people to donate their bodies, following their death, to further medical education and research. These selfless donations are invaluable to the training of future physicians and other health care professionals.

Held at the college’s Athens campus, the memorial service was a collective moment of gratitude and reflection, led by students from the Heritage College and the College of Health Sciences and Professions. Each student speaker offered personal, heartfelt reflections on the profound impact the donors had on their education, shaping not only their understanding of the human body, but also their sense of humanity, humility and responsibility as future health care professionals.

Paul Brown, a second-year medical student from Heritage College, Cleveland, opened the ceremony.

“In the journey of medical education, there are moments that shape us not only as future doctors, but as human beings. One of those moments is standing in the presence of your loved ones’ generosity, we are reminded that our training begins not simply with textbooks or classrooms, but with the compassion and selflessness of others,” said Brown. “Their gift has given us more than knowledge—it has taught us humility. It has reminded us of the dignity of every human life and the responsibility we carry when one day we will care for patients of our own.”

Second-year medical student Melanie Ahmetspahic from Heritage College, Athens, talked about the unique relationship between medical students and their first "patients."

“Not only was your loved one our first patient, but they were our first teacher in medicine,” Ahmetspahic said. “Even in loss, there is so much to learn. Even in loss, there is so much to give.”

Representing the College of Health Sciences and Professions, third-year physical therapy student Maddie Bird extended her gratitude on behalf of her peers.

“The ripple effect of your loved one’s gift is extraordinary,” she said. “What I see are people who will walk again, regain independence and return to the activities they love—because of the foundation your loved ones gave us.”

The ceremony concluded with Sofía Saari, a second-year medical student from Heritage College, Dublin, who drew on personal experience and deep reverence for the donors.

“In the anatomy lab, we meet them with only the smallest pieces of their story—a name, perhaps a note about their age, occupation, or cause of death—but little else. And yet, in the hours of study, we come to know them. We notice the curve of a hand, the strength of a shoulder, the resilience written in every line of their body. And in this strange and sacred way, we come to love them,” said Saari.

She described the donors as “fairy godparents”—guiding and protecting students on their journey to becoming compassionate, skilled physicians.

“I hope you leave here today knowing that your loved ones are giving us more than knowledge—they are giving us compassion, purpose and a deeper understanding of what it means to serve. Their gift is transforming us now, and through us, it will continue to transform the world. We carry their memory as a promise: to honor them in the care we provide, and in the countless lives we will touch, for the rest of our days,” said Saari.

The ceremony was also a time for families to reflect and connect. One family member described body donation as a “family tradition,” while another poignantly remarked that her husband, a donor, “is resting here somewhere in the building.” Several shared stories of their loved ones' lifelong dedication to helping others, including volunteering and community service.

Students were visibly emotional, wiping away tears as families expressed appreciation for their heartfelt tributes. One attendee told students, “I feel immense gratitude for your gratitude.”

Heritage College, Athens Dean Tracy Shaub, D.O., explained, “This is what enables us to do the work that we do. It's an immense gift that you give to us.”