“Silent mentors, sharing wisdom; honoring the sages, teaching as if alive...” Filled with gratitude and admiration, hopeful voices once again rise in front of Fuqing Building.

Human anatomy is the heart of modern medicine, providing essential insights into the mysteries of life. Before medical students step into the clinical world, this subject opens the door to reality. The selfless dedication of our “body donors”—through their love and commitment—paves the way for these students’ futures, and they deserve our deepest tribute.

On September 24, 2024, the Xiangya School of Medicine at Central South University kicked off the “Local Anatomy” course with a ceremony themed “A Covenant of Life, Spreading Great Love” in front of Fuqing Building at the new campus.

Among the speakers were Professor Zeng Yi, Vice Dean of Xiangya School of Medicine; Professor Wang Kangkai, Party Secretary of the School of Basic Medical Sciences; Professor Pan Ai Hua, President of the Hunan Anatomical Society; Li Wei from the Changsha Aier Eye Hospital Cornea Donation Center; and Professor Li Yufei, Deputy Director of the Medical Education Office at Hunan Normal University. Faculty from the Department of Human Anatomy and Neurobiology, the Morphology Experimental Center, and students from the 2101-2104 classes of the Eight-Year Clinical Medicine Program and the 2201-2202 classes of the Excellence in Medicine Program, joined together in this ceremony.

Professor Zeng Yi emphasized, “Medicine is a discipline that engages directly with life. Human anatomy is the first course for medical students, guiding them as they begin their journeys into medicine.” She hopes to instill in students the values of respecting life, healing the wounded, dedicating themselves to their craft, and embodying boundless compassion from the very start.

“Every body donor shares a common wish: to contribute to human health. They cherish their own bodies, yet their love extends beyond themselves to the world. They hope their sacrifice can save more lives,” Professor Wang Kangkai conveyed to the students, stressing the hope of the donors—not just to become doctors, but to develop a solemn respect for life, remembering that "learning is a lifelong journey, and the mission of a doctor is always to do their utmost in saving lives!"

Professor Li Yufei connected the new responsibilities of healthcare professionals to the legacy of Xiangya, stating, “I hope all of you will uphold Xiangya’s noble traditions and embrace the mission of contributing to a Healthy China, with a heart dedicated to healing and selfless service.”

Li Wei from the Changsha Aier Eye Hospital Cornea Donation Center shared that, “While the Changsha Aier Eye Bank has worked closely with Xiangya School of Medicine to promote cornea donation, the situation remains challenging.” Current data shows around 4 million people in China suffer from corneal blindness, with over 100,000 new cases each year, yet only about 10,000 corneal transplants are performed annually. He encouraged everyone to express their deepest respect for all volunteer donors.

Professor Pan Ai Hua encouraged the students to embody three key words: “Respect, Cherish, Appreciate.” This means respecting life, honoring medicine, and valuing our “silent mentors”; cherishing opportunities, valuing themselves, and appreciating their “silent mentors”; and being grateful to their school, their country, and their “silent mentors.” He hopes students will understand the deep significance of selfless dedication and healing, approaching their studies with seriousness and rigor, and passing on their respect for life.

Student Hao Lingjia from the Eight-Year Clinical Medicine Program shared how the “body donors” have inspired him: “Every incision, every sensation of the human body... is not just about technique; it’s a journey of reverence for life and upholding medical ethics. This spirit drives us forward, helping us pursue truth and precision in our medical journey with passion and determination, crafting our own stories along the way.”

In closing, the students, dressed in white lab coats and holding white chrysanthemums, paid heartfelt tribute to their “body donors.”

(Reviewed by Zhou Caiyan, Li Ruijun, Zeng Yi)