Briar Cliff University held its annual Donor Memorial Ceremony, to honor the anatomical donors who graciously donated their bodies to science and provide educational opportunities for our students.
“During this event, our students share reflections on how their education was impacted by the donors and express their gratitude towards the donors and their families,” says Kelsey Stevens, Briar Cliff University Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy. “In addition to written reflections, some of the students will express their gratitude through other means such as poetry and artwork.”
The gracious donations allow students to enhance their learning aside from just studying through textbooks. Students often state donors help them understand the human body on a deeper level. “Each donor is different, just like each of their future patients will be different,” adds Stevens.
The experience the students receive helps future clinicians develop skilled diagnoses that often can’t be replicated. “Working with the donors helps the students look outside of themselves as they see evidence of how each donor lived their lives,” shares Stevens. “It is another way that the donors help our students better understand what it will be like to work with patients.”
Since the 1980s, students at BCU have had the opportunity to get hands-on learning experience studying human anatomy. Briar Cliff is proud to offer opportunities early in students’ academic journey as it prepares students for medical jobs such as doctors, physician assistants, physical and occupational therapists, and much more.