Body donor memorial ‘very touching’ for students, families

Every year medical students at USD learn about the human body by studying real bodies, donated by people who were fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. These people’s lives are honored every year by medical students and faculty at a special ceremony.

The 11th annual memorial service honoring the 2014 body donors and their families took place Sept. 18 in the Sanford School of Medicine. About 120 students and 20-30 family members were in attendance, said Sara Bird, coordinator of the Body Donation Program.

The ceremony, which included a candle lighting, student testimonials and music, was all organized by students, Bird said.

Paul Bunger, dean of Medical Student Affairs, said students often bond with the donors in their classes, in addition to learning about the human body.

“This is a very real person with a life to live and a life to share,” he said during his keynote speech.

He went on to say that a donor acts as a teacher as well as reminds students of their own mortality and the uniqueness of each human.

The four students that gave testimonials echoed a similar belief.

Leah Rasmussen, a second-year medical student, used her testimonial as a way to honor Maxine, a woman with whom she was close that decided to donate her body to the medical school.

She called the process “a venue that exceeds the grasp of lecture” during her speech.

Courtney Kolbeck, a P.A. student, spoke directly to her “first patient.”

“You gave me the gift of knowing you,” Kolbeck said in her speech.

Other students expressed their gratitude toward the donors in different ways. Several students contributed to the ceremony’s music through solos or group pieces.

After the honorary service, students, families and faculty were able to converse amongst themselves.

One attendee, Ellen Johnson, came in remembrance of her husband, Walt Johnson.

She said that he had “a lot” of medical conditions, and he wanted people to learn from them.

“He liked trying new things,” his daughter, Kersten Johnson said.

For Joe Truhe, along with other family members, this year’s ceremony was not his first.

This year, he attended to honor his mother, Martha Truhe. He was at the 2010 ceremony for his father, Duke Truhe.

Truhe said initially, his father was very against his mother donating her body to the medical school. But eventually, she convinced him to do so as well.

It’s because of their decision that Truhe said he and other members of his family are considering donating their bodies as well.

“There’s nothing better than on-the-job training,” he said.

Truhe said the medical students do a good, respectful job of honoring the donors each year.

Kristi Tobin, who attended the event in memory of her late husband, Gregg Tobin, said the ceremony was “very touching.
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“It was beautiful,” she said.

(Photo: Joe Truhe lights a candle in remembrance of his mother, Martha Truhe, Sept. 18 during the memorial service honoring 2014 donors who donated their bodies to the USD Sanford School of Medicine. He and other family members were at the 2010 ceremony for his father, Duke Truhe. Ally Krupinsky / The Volante)