UT Health San Antonio recently held an Interment Ceremony, also called the Burial of Ashes, an annual gathering to inter the cremated remains of those who gave their bodies for health professional student education and research, and to honor the donors.
More than 120 donor family members joined students, faculty and staff at the ceremony held at the Pestana Lecture Hall in the Medical School Building, Wednesday, May 1.
The event began with a beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace” by bagpiper Robert Chalk.
Omid B. Rahimi, PhD, director of the Human Anatomy Program and professor in the Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy, welcomed the attendees, expressed his gratitude and respect for all the participants in the Body Donation Program and conveyed appreciation for the compassion and support of their family and friends.
“Irrespective of occupation, social standing, age, health, or ailment, each donor’s invaluable gift equally contributes in shaping the well-being of future generations,” Rahimi said. “This ceremony is dedicated to those who, in death, have served the living through their generosity and kindness. We honor their memory and recognize their contribution today.”
“This ceremony exists to commemorate those who gifted their bodies to education and research,” Rahimi said. “Through their act, hundreds of students each year are able to learn the complex details of the human body, but more importantly, because of this gift, students are able to experience the spirit of love and giving that is the basis of their future practice of caring for their patients.”
Following Dr. Rahimi’s introduction, Deborah L. Conway, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and vice dean for Undergraduate Medical Education at the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, provided remarks, followed by seven student representatives including: Alyssa Nail, a first-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student at the School Health of Professions; Nhat Pham, a first-year Doctor of Medicine student at the Long School of Medicine; Roshan Patel, a first-year Doctor of Dentistry student at the School of Dentistry; Belinda Bernal, a Master of Science student in Cell Systems & Anatomy at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Erin Kraus, a second-year Doctor of Medicine student at the University of Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine; Grace McGuire, a first-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy student at the School of Health Professions; and Stephen Thurgood, a first-year Physician Assistant Studies student at the School of Health Professions.
Click here to view additional photos from the event.
To learn more about the university’s Body Donation Program, visit https://lsom.uthscsa.edu/dcsa/body-donation-program/.