Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) recently hosted its esteemed 2025 Anatomy Dedication Ceremony at the Anatomy Department, a significant event that honours individuals who have selflessly donated their bodies for medical education and research. This annual tradition underscores SMU’s commitment to fostering ethical, professional, and academic excellence in healthcare education. By recognising the profound contributions of these donors, the ceremony serves as a reminder of the critical role they play in shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals, solidifying SMU’s position as a leading institution dedicated to advancing medical science and humanity.The event marked a pivotal moment for students embarking on their journey into studying human anatomy, emphasising the significance of respect, professionalism, and dedication in medical education.
The ceremony featured a keynote address by the Dean of the School of Medicine, Professor Risenga Chauke, who urged students to treat cadavers with dignity and to approach their studies with care and responsibility. “The study of anatomy forms the cornerstone of medical science, and the cadavers you work with are your first patients,” said Chauke. “Treat them with the utmost respect, as this will shape how you engage with future patients and the medical profession.”
Dr Elize Venter, Director of the Centre for University Teaching and Learning (CUTL) was also a guest speaker. She spoke passionately about the importance of ceremonies like this, emphasising their role in shaping students’ appreciation for the responsibilities and ethical considerations involved in their studies.
Adding a motivational perspective, Luane Mare, the 2024 MIBS 020 Top Achiever, encouraged students not to be too hard on themselves as they adapt to working with cadavers. “It gets better with time. Every challenge you face will shape the kind of doctor you will become. The future of medicine is in your hands,” she said, leaving the audience inspired.
Addressing the second-year students directly, Mare offered additional words of wisdom: “Not only will you learn from textbooks, but also from the generous gift of cadavers. They are not just teaching tools; they are your first silent patients, so handle them with care and gratitude because you owe it to them and to the profession you are entering. Don’t cut because you want to cut; cut because you want to learn.”
One of the students, Portia Matlala, a second-year BSc Physiotherapy student, shared her thoughts: “I am very anxious, but I am willing to learn and hope I will get used to it.” Her sentiment reflected the mixed emotions many students feel when beginning this critical phase of their education.
The ceremony also saw all students take a modified Hippocratic Oath specific to the Anatomy and Histology Department. In their declaration, they solemnly pledged to:
- Not improperly divulge anything they learn in their capacity as anatomy students.
- Not capture or distribute images of human remains.
- Treat the cadavers at the university with respect and dignity.
- Conduct themselves as students of an honourable profession, be loyal to the university, and endeavour to promote its welfare and maintain its reputation.
The 2025 Anatomy Dedication Ceremony highlighted SMU’s unwavering dedication to producing healthcare professionals who uphold the highest standards of respect, professionalism, and academic excellence. As students left the ceremony, they carried a profound sense of gratitude towards the donors who have made their education possible and a renewed commitment to the values instilled by SMU. Through events like these, SMU continues to honour its mission of advancing medical education and solidifies its vital role in shaping compassionate and skilled leaders in healthcare.
By Dimakatso Modise
