HERSHEY, Pa. — Ethan Lee played Claude Debussy’s "Clair de Lune," and the sweet phrases of music created for the crowd that rarest of moments on the bustling campus of Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center — stillness.
The music and the reflection were Lee’s gifts, meant to touch the ears, minds and hearts of listeners whose loved ones had given all of themselves to help students learn to save lives.
When he played the final note, the spell of solemnity broke. The audience — family members and friends of people who donated their bodies to College of Medicine anatomy classes — applauded Lee, a physician assistant student. The memorial was the College of Medicine’s first to recognize the donors since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 150 family members and friends gathered to remember 97 donors.
Lee was one of many College of Medicine students who offered songs and words on Sept. 19 to thank those who made the most remarkable gift — the donation of their remains to medical science.
“The human body is the foundation of medicine and is extremely complex — mastering the mysteries of the body requires dedication, effort and time by medical trainees,” said Evan Goldman, associate professor of radiology and director of the anatomy program. “Patients often express their gratitude to the medical practitioners who helped them through their illness or injury. People should be aware that the gratitude extends years back to the incredible teachers of the medical practitioners, not just the professors, but also the donors whose selfless gift made the medical education possible.”