Just before sunset on Sept. 21, more than 100 medical students gathered at a candlelight vigil to honor the individuals who have donated their bodies to the Health Science Center’s willed-body program.
The first candlelight vigil was organized by Melanie Sulistio, M.D., cardiology research fellow, seven years ago to allow first-year medical students to show their respect for the donors. Since then, second-year medical students have organized it each year for first-year medical students.
“When you enter the gross anatomy lab for the first time as an MSI, it takes your breath away,” Dr. Sulistio said. “I think we all feel an odd sense of invasion as we begin working with the cadavers. I wanted to give the students a way to honor these people beyond just learning from them. So, at least in part, I started this to give them a sort of peace.”
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| Medical students hold candles during a moment of silence at the candlelight vigil. | |
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Numerous candles, live violins, a moment of silence, and remarks from Dr. Sulistio and Linda Johnson, Ph.D., associate professor for cellular and structural biology, created a somber atmosphere in which students could reflect.
“I never realized how big of an impact the vigil would have on me,” said Shehnaz Zaman, MSII. Zaman assisted in organizing this year’s vigil. “My respect increased tremendously after the vigil. So, as a second-year student, I wanted to help continue this amazing tradition for other students and I saw that it really meant something to them. Several of them are already inquiring about how to assist with next year’s vigil.”
Dr. Sulistio said that overall, the vigil is important to the souls of the people who donated their bodies.
“The meaning of this vigil is also a reminder of the privilege and the honor of entering the field of medicine,” Dr. Sulistio said. “This is a reminder to me of what an incredible field I am in and how much trust our patients put into us when we assist them – the same type of trust that people who donate their bodies give to us.”
