UQ to hold service honouring health science donors

The University Queensland’s Thanksgiving Service, an annual event that acknowledges anatomy donors to the University, will be held this year on May 3 at the UQ Centre, St Lucia campus at 5.30pm.

UQ has been holding the service since 1992, then acknowledging all donors to the School of Biomedical Science’s Bequest Program since 1927. The event was the first of its kind in Australia and New Zealand.

Appreciated by relatives and the community, it is now an important UQ tradition.

It is run in the format of a multi-faith service and this year will include stirring performances by the Australian Youth Chamber Choir.

Bequest Program Manager Leo Brown said the benefit of the Bequest Program to health teaching and research is expansive and donations are vital in training for a broad range of professions in medicine and allied health.

“The program provides services and training to other universities in the state and specialised medical institutions including the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Sports Medicine Australia,” Mr Brown said.

“Students who gain from training at UQ graduate as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dentists and many other health professionals and scientists.

“These students are grateful to donors and appreciate the opportunity to acknowledge them and to say thank-you.”

Medical student Patrick Pearce has attended the service in past years but will take part in the ceremony next month.

“The contribution made by donors is not only essential to the study of medicine but also greatly appreciated as it allows students to understand anatomy and the human body in a more complete way,” Mr Pearce said.

“The contact with relatives at the Thanksgiving Service allows time to answer questions that family members may have about the donations process.”

Occupational therapy student Amy Morrison said the service is a significant event.

“I feel it is important to recognise individuals who have donated their bodies to the University and meet with their families, as donor generosity has provided students like myself with an invaluable resource for learning,” she said.

Director of General Surgery at the Princes Alexandra Hospital Dr Daryl Wall will speak on the importance of donations for teaching and research.

The ceremony is also a time for the relatives and the community to reflect and for family to say good-bye to loved ones.

The University welcomes members of the community to attend.

Media: Bequest Program Manager Leo Brown (07 3365 2515) or Elizabeth Kerr at UQ Communications (07 3365 2339, e.kerr@uq.edu.au)