“What We Give” began as an idea to contribute to an enduring tradition at the Yale School of Medicine—the Service of Gratitude Ceremony. Now a staple at many health professions schools across the country, the service brings together students, faculty, and the family members of donors.
The Service of Gratitude provides a space to reflect openly on the impact that anatomy and the art of dissection had on students. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate the lives of the donors and thank them for their precious gift. The event commonly includes songs, artwork, poetry, recitations, and reflection.
The Service of Gratitude is part of the Yale medical faculty's commitment to teach not only science, but also empathy and compassion.
At the Service of Gratitude, the families of donors see the impact that their loved ones have had on the hundreds of students that study anatomy each year.
The Service of Gratitude gives medical, nursing, and physician associate students an opportunity to show thanks to those who donated their bodies for medical education.
Each year, Yale historians provide an important retrospective on the anatomists of the past and the lessons that their experiences provide for physicians of the future.