Having to send your loved ones off while knowing that they are on their last bus is in itself an agonizing process.

We cannot imagine how painful it must be to put a pause on a proper
closure. This had to be a huge sacrifice on your part.

“At this point, I can confidently say that I am willing to donate my body as a silent mentor, but if one asks me to donate my mother’s body in the future, I cannot answer without hesitation. I have to say that the silent mentors' generous donations truly exemplify the beauty of anatomy and the beauty of humanity”

They made the courageous decision to give even in their final moments, and for that we are incredibly blessed.

“I was overwhelmed by the paradoxical notion of how this quiet gift of the silent mentors could impact every person who roamed the anatomy hall in such a deafening manner - no matter student, professor, surgeon. Truly, it is an unconditional gift. Understanding the coloured diagrams on my textbook then became a real time life experience, as I searched through crevices of bones, pinpointed muscles, and finally drew meaning to those diagrams."

Though anticipated as an exciting endeavour to learn a new subject, the complexity of the human anatomy draws a chasm between the student and his profound appreciation of its beauty.

Mere words in the textbook could never truly illustrate the consonance between the artistic and scientific aspects of the human body. However, your single act of kindness has guided us, allowing us to fully appreciate and understand the subject, and has brought out the best of both worlds.

“The Silent Mentors have been my greatest teachers, solidifying what I
learnt, making textbook pictures come alive.

I just wish I have had more opportunities to understand the background stories of these people, but one thing I know for sure is that they must have been amazing individuals with huge hearts,
wanting to leave an impact even after passing on.”

"To me, words in the textbooks and lecture notes such as 'Quadratus femoris is a flat, quadrilateral muscle lying between gemellus, inferior and the upper margin of adductor magnus...' are merely words. They are just like pieces of puzzles that I am unable to piece together. However, with the silent mentors right in front of me, they complete the picture for me.”

“To be standing on the shoulders of giants and those who have come before us, is truly a privilege.”

The knowledge we have received extends beyond just the teachings gleaned from our books. It has nurtured us into better individuals, and allowed our characters to blossom.
We owe our personal growth, in part, to you.

“As we discovered the hands that never stopped giving, the feet that carried them down countless paths, and the heart that never stopped loving, we are honoured and grateful to be able to connect with your loved one as they continue to share their stories with us. They have touched our hearts and will continue to impact the lives of so many more in such a powerful, positive way. They will always be treated with utmost respect and honour.”

Every mentor we have encountered was more than mere tissues, fascia and bones;
Sometimes we wonder about which paths these feet have walked, what memories these hands have shaped, and whose hearts these lives have touched.

“The human flesh is merely a tool of instruction but I know deep to my heart that every body tells a different story because of who they were in the past. A goofy husband or a doting grandmother perhaps. And life always finds a way in making their footsteps seen and their wishes heard. They were indeed larger than life. I unfortunately cannot thank them in person but only through who I choose to become and that is striving to be the best doctor I can be to my future patients!”

“What a life they must have lived!” We marvelled.

“Beyond the knowledge we obtained through our lessons, lay the awareness that each silent mentor represented more. A collection of memories, hearty experiences and tearful ones all the same, lessons learnt and lessons taught, a life of adventure or a personal tale. We understood that being a silent mentor never defined you. Rather, it was another part of an individual with stories. Another chapter within a lovely book, the last chapter. It was said at the beginning of the course that our silent mentors would speak the least yet teach the most.”

At times we ponder, is this too generous a gift from a stranger?

Though you were not obliged, you still chose to extend a helping hand to someone who could never thank you properly in person. You said your goodbyes before we could fully recognise the value of your gift.

We are committed to ensuring that the hands you once held will go on to heal many others in the future.

“Your one decision has created a ripple effect - allowing so many students to learn from you, allowing us to then use this knowledge in our future practice. I think it is incredible that someone is willing to contribute what they have left to teaching.”

As we continue on our medical journey, we will forever remember this bittersweet departure.

“We promise to cherish your gift dearly.
Though simple, we will never be able to say these two heartfelt words to you, our silent mentors — Thank you.”

With Love,
Class of 2024,
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine