Upstate Medical University will hold a memorial service April 26 honoring more than 200 individuals who have donated their bodies for medical study during the past year.

Upstate’s Anatomical Gift Program is organized largely by students in the medicine, physical therapy and physician assistant programs to acknowledge and thank families for the important role their loved ones have played in education.

This year's service will take place at 1 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel on the Syracuse University campus. It will include a mix of student performances of music and poetry, all aimed at reflecting the respect they have for donors and their families. In addition to students, speakers include Upstate President Mantosh Dewan, MD; Norton College of Medicine Dean Lawrence Chin, MD; Rev. Theresa Howington, D Min; and Dana Mihaila, MD, PhD.

Mihaila, director of the Anatomical Gift Program, said that by their donations these individuals being honored have made the study of anatomy possible for students and health professionals.

“As we gather to honor these donors, we recognize their profound impact on the future of healthcare,” Mihaila said. “Their generosity enables the next generation of healthcare professionals to learn in an environment that bridges the gap between theory and practice.”

One of the hosts of the service, Safa Nadeem, a student in the Physician Assistant Program in the College of Health Professions, said she is deeply moved and humbled by individuals’ decision to donate their bodies to medical education.

"Before I ever hold a stethoscope to a living heart, I learn from the stillness of those who gave themselves fully to my education,” Nadeem said. “Their silent sacrifice speaks louder than any lecture, reminding me that medicine doesn’t begin with answers—but with respect.”

Also participating in the service is Stevie Tchako-Tchokouassi, a student in the Norton College of Medicine Class of 2028.

“Their gift was not just of the body, but of spirit and a profound trust in the future of medicine,” he said.  “Through their selfless donation, they became my first patient and my first teachers. They guided my hands, shaped my understanding, and reminded me daily of the sacred responsibility I carry as a future physician. They are the reason I will always approach medicine with humility and gratitude. I will honor their legacy in every patient I care for.”

This years’ service will be livestreamed at: https://youtube.com/live/IQA_35GyCNE?feature=share

The recorded service will be available after the service here.

To learn more about Upstate’s Anatomical Gift Program visit https://www.upstate.edu/cdb/donor/or call 315-464-4348. The website includes the Anatomical Gift Pledge Form as well as frequently asked questions.

Caption: Upstate student Estelle Khairallah offers a piano performance at the 2024 Anatomical Gift Service.  Student performances are a highlight of the service.