American servicemen performing military honors
Military honors were performed by the Navy Honor Guard.

No text book alone can help students prepare for their roles as future healthcare providers. Fortunately, students at New York Chiropractic College (NYCC) are privileged to have the opportunity to learn about the human body through the use of donated human cadavers. 

"Human cadavers serve as a silent teacher," said NYCC President Dr. Michael Mestan, referring to donors as 'our first patients.' "Family and friends should be comforted by the knowledge that faculty, staff and students hold in highest esteem and deeply appreciate the individuals who have donated their body for study."

NYCC student Aidan Kaye with Dr. Philip G. Garrison, Dean singing
NYCC students and musicians played guitar and sang. Aidan Kaye, (D.C., 18) (pictured with Dr. Philip G. Garrison, Dean, Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine)  performed "Angel from Montgomery," and Ethan Loft (D.C. '20) performed  "Amazing Grace."

This important contribution to science and the future of healthcare is made possible by individuals who donate their body to the NYCC's Anatomical Gift Program. These donors were recently celebrated and honored during the Anatomy Center Memorial Service held at the College.

Family and friends of the donors, as well as faculty, students and staff gathered together in the Delavan Theater. The memorial included performances by student musicians and words of remembrance. Faculty keynote Dr. Robyn Wakefield-Murphy spoke about the importance of remembering each donor as a living person with important relationships and a "life full of stories and memories."

 Dr. Michael Zumpano, director of the College's Anatomical Gift Program, while speaking at the recent donor memorial service.
A plaque above the NYCC Anatomy Lab door reads: Mortui vivos docent' or "The dead teach the living." "It's in this way that the memory of our donors will live on in the clinical care provided by our students," said Dr. Michael Zumpano, director of the College's Anatomical Gift Program, while speaking at the recent donor memorial service.

Student keynote speaker Andrew Morgan (D.C., '20) described the importance of anatomical donations through the metaphor of navigating a dark room while balancing a glass of water. "(In the dark) You would stumble, bump into things maybe even spill the water, but you may be able to do it," he said. "Now imagine how much easier it would be if I just turn on the lights and ask you to do the same exact thing." For Andrew, and other students who learn with anatomical donations as they study to be healthcare providers, he said donors are the "impeccable souls who turn on the lights."

Reverend J. Brad Benson of Trinity Episcopal Church in Seneca Falls performed the invocation and benediction, and a military service was presented by the Navy Honor Guard, Waterloo American Legion Post 435 and VRW Post 6433. 

Read more about the Anatomical Gift Program at NYCC.
 

 

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