Families of those who donated their bodies for medical student education to the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy through the Willed Body Program were honored by the UNT Health Science Center TCOM Class of 2013 on Wednesday, June 9, in the new Medical and Education Training Building.

Families of body donors, TCOM faculty and staff, and the TCOM Class of 2013 attended the event, which featured a tree and plaque dedication on the building's south side. In addition to honoring donors, the ceremony provided an opportunity for family members to memorialize their loved ones and students to show their gratitude and respect.

Vicki Weiss spoke of the lasting impression her mother, Lillian Gandy, left on many in this world. Gandy, who donated her body, was an educator.

"Not many people can continue to do what they did during their lives after they have passed. My mother has. She continues to teach," Weiss said.

The Health Science Center also allows donors to select a tree or other plants to be planted in honor of a special person or occasion, or to remember a lost loved one through the Living Legacy program. The donors pay for the item(s) to be planted, help select the plant and location, and each planting is marked with an engraved granite plaque. Last year, nine trees were added to the campus through the Living Legacy program - helping protect air quality and beautifying the grounds. For more information or to arrange a planting, visit the Living Legacy Web page.

If you are with the media and need additional information or would like to arrange an interview, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at 817-735-2446.