Winthrop Hall last week hosted a very special memorial ceremony to acknowledge the generosity of those who have participated in UWA’s Body Donation Program.
Families of donors were invited to attend the event, which honours the lives of donors and recognises the lasting impact of their contributions to our community.
Professor Michael Rosenberg, Head of School of Human Sciences, hosted the ceremony, which also included a welcome from Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Colmer and musical accompaniment by UWA’s Conservatorium of Music students.
The Honourable Robert French AC, UWA Chancellor, read the Act of Recognition, which expresses the University’s gratitude to those who have bequeathed their bodies.
Senior Lecturer in Anatomy in the School of Human Sciences Dr Vanessa Hayes gave the address, explaining the significance of the program to students and their learning.
Dr Hayes emphasised the respect and gratitude demonstrated by students and recognition that the selfless act of donation was crucial for the advancement of medicine and science.
UWA health and medical students read the names of donors from 2017 to 2019, which have been inscribed into a Book of Remembrance held in the Anatomy Building. The Memorial Garden next to the building offers friends and relatives of donors a tranquil place for remembrance and reflection.
The ceremony concluded with students from all medical and allied health disciplines handing out long-stemmed white roses to all family members in attendance, who were then invited to join the congregation for refreshments on Whitfeld Court.
UWA has run the Body Donation Program in Western Australia for more than 60 years, catering for medical and allied health students across WA’s universities, including medical, dental, science, optometry, physiotherapy and nursing students as well as postgraduate surgical trainees and research scientists.
The University recognises and thanks the dedicated staff who run the Body Donation Program.
More information about the program here.