Kelsey Martin (DO ’23) presents a rose to a relative of a body donor program.
Medical students at PCOM Georgia are learning about the intricacies of the human body firsthand, through the College’s body donation program. PCOM is one of three medical schools in the state that operates a full-time, 24/7 program of this nature. The service is Saturday, May 13 in the Atrium at PCOM Georgia, 625 Old Peachtree Road in Suwanee.
Those who donate their remains to science make a tremendous contribution to the knowledge of future physicians and healthcare providers.
Elizabeth Martin (DO ’25), a second-year Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine student, shares as she reflects on the school’s body donation program. “There are so many things you can’t learn from a textbook. You learn how to actually orient yourself, the true locations of important organs, and how each human being can be uniquely different.”
Martin’s medical training is based on a holistic approach to medical care: treating the entire person—mind, body, and spirit—rather than merely addressing symptoms.
This philosophy carries over into care after death and informs PCOM Georgia’s operation of the body donor program. Families receive no-cost transportation for their family member’s remains, which are cremated at the program’s expense upon completion of all anatomical studies, research and medical training.
Students and faculty take special pride each year in recognizing the families of donors who committed their bodies to science through a memorial service. The service takes place annually on the Saturday before Mother’s Day—and this year’s will be held on Saturday, May 13. During this service, students share their appreciation and families receive the remains of their relative.
Jeffrey Seiple, director of anatomical donor services, says: “We pride ourselves on the ability to work closely with families during the donation process. That continues after training is completed with our special memorial service. This remembrance event offers the opportunity for families to connect with our students and learn about the impact they’ve made. It also allows us to show our utmost gratitude for their contributions.”
Body donations are critical to the training medical students receive, and ultimately the quality of care they are able to provide. This hands-on training is important in that it aids many students as they go on to practice medicine in various communities throughout Georgia.
Seiple adds: “We are in a unique and special position here at PCOM Georgia in that we have full-time licensed funeral directors on staff to assist families throughout the entire donation process including the return of their loved one’s cremains back to their families. It is vital for us to provide our students with resources they need to excel in the future as physicians. Our body donor program is designed to do that and more.”
Mary Warren chose to honor her husband, a Georgia Tech engineer, by donating his body to PCOM following his passing.“This is where Ken, had he made the decision, would have wanted to be,” Mary says. “The students have great respect, and they learn to love their person, and they want to honor that person and show respect to the family for what they’ve done.”
72-year-old Lawrenceville man to be college graduate
Kaplan
Sam Kaplan, 72, of Lawrenceville, has added many items to his resume over the years. Thursday, May 11, he will have added another addition. He will be a college graduate.
“This is my first undergraduate degree,” says Kaplan. “I’m the first of my seven siblings to earn a degree.”
Kaplan, who graduated fromSavannah High school in 1969, had not considered college. He worked in various roles. He ran a cleaning service and then a telemarketing company. He worked in customer service for a wholesale distributer of electronics. He even drove a taxi part time, and came to the Atlanta area about 20 years ago.
At 68 years old, he decided to go back to school, the beginning of a rewarding journey.
“I was riding down Georgia Highway 316 and heard on the radio that Georgia Gwinnett College was offering a degree that involved script writing,” Kaplan explains. “My car seemed to have developed automatic steering and I pulled off on Collins Hill Road. Five minutes later, I was registering for the fall semester.”
His journey wasn’t easy. He hadn’t been to school in 50 years. He had to relearn how to study. While the father of five had experience in raising children, Kaplan said he was nervous about taking classes and fitting in with students who were 50 years younger than him.
So, he made a personal goal to talk to one student a day and ask questions about their studies, their hopes and their dreams. Through those conversations, Kaplan found commonalities and strengthened bonds.
“When you ask a student about what they want and plan on doing and find out what they want to do with their lives; I think that’s uncommon with a lot of kids – they don’t get that with many people,” he says. “I think I have a good relationship with them. I got hugs from a lot of them on the last day of classes.”
Along with his classmates, Kaplan was also popular among faculty. Kate Balsley, associate professor of film, who taught Kaplan in a number of classes, says: “He’d always participate and would offer advice and assistance to his classmates. Sam was always willing to share photos and stories about his interesting life and his family. We’re so proud to see him graduate, but we will miss him.”
When Kaplan walks across the stage to receive his diploma, he’ll do so in front of his biggest fan – his 99-year-old mother,Virginia Kaplan of Lawrenceville, will be in the audience.
“She’s very excited,” Kaplan says. “She’s excited, happy and proud.”
Snellville awards $2,000 to local Shark Tank winners
Zaira Bhatti
Five young entrepreneurs got a financial boost to start their own businesses this week during the city’s annual Shark Tank competition.
A total of $2,000 was awarded to the students by judges representing the Snellville business community. The five students – four from Brookwood High School and one from Grayson High School – worked on their businesses all school year, culminating with a pitch for seed money at the competition mirroring the popular ABC television show “Shark Tank.”
Judges crowned Brookwood High School student Zaira Bhatti “Entrepreneur of the Year” and granted her $500 to be used to fund her social media consulting business, MarketRight.
Addison Curtis of Brookwood was also awarded $500 to go toward her swim lesson business, Dolphin Academy; Elizabeth Lachance of Brookwood was awarded $400 for her business, Cursive Cake ‘n’ Bake; Grayson student Ava Hosey received $350 for her business, Desserts by Ava; and Madison Worsham of Brookwood was given $250 for her family photography business, Capture Photography.
Judges who donated their time, expertise and money were: Tim Samuel and Dwayne Walker of Sparket; Kelly McAloon of Snellville Tourism and Trade; Ashlie Franklin and Sara Hodge of Walton Gas; Renae Johnson of the Renae J Group; Kathy Emanuel of Random Technologies; Katisha Henry of the Wing Suite; and Jessie Mullins of Powell and Edwards, LLC.
Art show winners to be on exhibit at Norcross Library
A juried exhibition, “Reflections at the Rectory,“ is on view at the City of Norcross facility at 17 College Avenue. This show features the artworks of the students of Advanced Placement Art at the Norcross and Paul Duke Stem high schools, as well as international baccalaureate students from Norcross High School, 24 in all. The exhibition will be on view through May 14. Subsequently, the winning works will be on view at the Norcross branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library.
Students receiving awards are for first place, Noelle Kreiner from Paul Duke High; second place, Angelique Concepcion from Norcross High; third place, Maggie Burns from Norcross High; and honorable mention, Grace Peagler from Norcross High.
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