Show-Me State Times

Students from Saint Louis University’s School of Medicine, along with graduate students from the Master of Anatomy program and the Doisy College of Health Sciences, recently held an interfaith memorial service to honor 355 individuals who donated their bodies to the university's Gift Body Program.

The event brought together students, faculty, staff, administrators, Campus Ministry members, and families and friends of donors. John Martin, Ph.D., director of SLU’s Gift Body Program, emphasized the importance of these donations in medical education. “The foundation of medical care relies heavily on the anatomical knowledge gained through cadaveric dissection—knowledge made possible only through the donors’ selfless gifts,” Martin said.

This year’s ceremony recognized donors whose contributions help train future healthcare professionals such as physicians, physical and occupational therapists, athletic trainers, anesthesiology assistants, physician assistants, and educators. The student-led service included musical performances and personal reflections on how donor gifts have influenced their learning.

David Suwalsky, S.J., Ph.D., vice president for mission and identity at SLU, began the ceremony with an invocation that highlighted the significance of the occasion. Several students shared their experiences during the event.

Jake Dourdourekas reflected on a lesson he learned earlier in life: “‘Great achievement is usually borne of great sacrifice and is never the result of selfishness.’ The donors’ selflessness allows us to grow into the physicians we aspire to be.” He noted a personal connection after learning that one donor had died from a condition similar to his grandmother’s.

Hayley Hampton described how participation in the program deepened her understanding beyond classroom instruction. “For many of us, we will never have another experience to physically learn from the innate structures that make up our physical form. The knowledge we gained has helped to further cement all the prior teachings of disease, and how these issues come to fruition.”

Marissa Talley also spoke about her own connection: “Funerals help us grieve and say goodbye—something many donors postponed so we could learn. My grandfather’s donation last year reminded me that these gifts are rooted in love and generosity. Each donor leaves behind a legacy of healing through education.”

The ceremony concluded with a symbolic procession where students placed yellow roses into a basket containing donor names; these were later taken to Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in South Saint Louis for respectful interment after studies are completed.

Saint Louis University was founded in 1818 as one of America’s oldest Catholic research institutions. Today it serves more than 13,300 students as an R1 research university known for advancing discoveries that benefit society.