Page 45 - Humanism 2019

judgment or failure. A chance that sparked my love of what sports she may have enjoyed. I could not fully grasp
anatomy and medicine. And a chance that reminds me of the life she lived, but I imagined it to be full of love and
my humanity as I see the evidence of the enriched life that generosity. I am eternally grateful for the ultimate gift she
each donor patient has lived. It is a priceless gift I will shared, knowing it is a seed that will continue to grow
always be grateful for as I work towards becoming a over the years. Wherever I go in medicine and whomever I
patient centered physician. am able to help, I know my patient will be there with me
as her gift continues to give to others. Thank you to you
“I know everyone here holds cherished memories of their all for supporting your loved one’s contribution to
loved ones who are no longer with us. Thank you for medicine, I know as a class we are overwhelmed with
coming today and remembering them with us. They have gratitude.”
made a lasting impact in my life, and the lives of my
fellow students as we couldn’t become competent Nicholas Woo gave the final speech for this group, “Some
physicians without them. We understand that each donor of the greatest stories we ever hear are the ones we learn
patient was a whole person, and that they had a from. Stories about how to overcome great odds, stories
meaningful life and a meaningful death. Thank you for about how to change the world, and stories about doing
supporting their decisions to enrich our education, we will the right thing stick with us. The story of the human body
hold them and you in our hearts as we continue to grow. is a hard one to tell. While we have textbooks full of
Thank you.” detailed descriptions and galleries of clear-cut pictures,
these don’t have the most important part of the story: the
Next to speak was Hannah Killian, “Words cannot fully patient.
express the magnanimity of the gift of the Willed Body
Program here at COMP-Northwest to our education as “Today, we honor the donor patients who gave us the
future physicians. The gift of our first patient—the one opportunity to experience this story. The willed body
that guided us through the intimidating first weeks of our program and anatomy course allows prospective doctors
medical school curriculum, our constant familiar face to truly learn about the human body. From knowing
with each coming challenge, the one who will send us off about the consistent landmarks useful for clinical
as we complete our first year, and the one who will medicine to understanding the differences formed by
continue to live on in our hearts and minds as we care for traveling the many walks of life, the chance to learn the
each of our future patients. I hope you are encouraged story of every donor patient is something we have been
that each of your beloved family members have left their truly grateful for having.
mark on us, as I know my patient has left an incredible
“That being said, my fellow student doctors and I have a
mark on mine.”
responsibility to make sure we learned everything we
Ms. Killian was followed by Student Doctor Whitley could from these patients. We will honor their generosity
Nelson, “Hello everyone, I want to say thank you to all and selfless donation by ensuring that every moment we
the families that came to celebrate their loved ones today. spent with them was a chance to learn from their stories
It is an honor to meet you, to hear some of your stories and to further prepare ourselves to help others as future
and to get a small glimpse into the lives lead by the physicians. The knowledge we have gained from these
generous people who enabled our learning by giving of donor patients will be found in our practices, from the
themselves the ultimate gift. humble family medicine doctors who will be guiding
thousands of people to a healthier life over the years to
“Today, we are celebrating the lives of each one your
the heroic surgeons saving the lives of military personnel
family members—their memories, hopes, dreams,
serving our country.
challenges, and victories. While this feels like an ending to
their chapter, to me it is only the beginning of a new “Here at WesternU, we are held to the ideal that ‘At the
chapter. In June I was given the gift of journeying with end of every action, every thought, and every deed, there
one of your loved ones. In many ways she was my first is a patient.’ However, when we turn around and see how
teacher and my first patient. For 6 weeks I spent most of far we’ve come, we will look back at all our actions, all
my waking hours by her side, diligently trying to absorb our thoughts, and all our deeds, and see the donor
the knowledge and learning that was so selflessly given. It patients who helped us on our way. We will never forget
takes a special being to not only think about the impact of their generosity. We will never forget what we learned
their life, but also to imagine the ways they could help from them, and we will never forget the story they have
others even after death. As I looked at my patient’s hands, told us.”
I thought about all the people she helped and meals she
With the conclusion of that speech, Mr. Gaddini had the
may have cooked. I thought about the children or
lights lowered and began a slideshow full of photos
grandchildren she may have held and loved in her arms or
showing the lives of the donor patients. Some pictures
HUMANISM IN THE HEALTH SCIENCES 2019 • VOL. 22 42