Media Release

Mangaluru, Nov 1: Department of anatomy at Father Muller Medical College celebrated World Anatomy Day on October 31. The inaugural ceremony of the event was held at Knowledge Centre Hall, Central Library Building of FMCI. The programme began with a prayer setting a reverent tone for the day. The director of FMCI Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo presided over the function. Other dignitaries on the dias were the administrator of Father Muller Medical College, Dr Michael Santhumayor, dean of FMMC Dr Antony Sylvan D’Souza, vice dean of FMMC Dr Venkatesha BM and head of the department of anatomy Dr Varsha Shenoy.

Dr Varsha Shenoy, organising chairperson and professor & head of the department of anatomy welcomed all the dignitaries and highlighted the significance of World Anatomy Day. On October 15th every year the day is celebrated to commemorate the death anniversary of Father of modern anatomy, Andreas Vesalius in 1564, who revolutionized the study of human body by his meticulous work. Dr Varsha Shenoy listed the various meaningful events initiated by the department on this significant day- First one was adding a link on 'Body Donation' on official website of FMCI, which went live on October 15. This initiative aims to promote awareness and facilitate the noble act of body donation for medical education and research.

Second event was “Pencil Pulse”– a pencil sketch competition open to the undergraduate and postgraduate students of FMCI and third event was official induction of anatomy club for the students of FMMC- the Vitruvian Society. Following this, the president along with other dignitaries inaugurated the various events and Dr Pallavi, associate professor, anatomy compered the activities beautifully.

Melanie Angelina Lewis briefly introduced the anatomy club activities and seeking permission of the president, announced a community outreach activity to raise awareness on body donation in association with department of community medicine, FMMC.

Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, director of FMCI, delivered the presidential address. He highlighted the significance of discipline anatomy in the health professional education and research.

Dr Neha Sampapriya, assistant professor of anatomy & organising secretary to the pencil pulse competition delivered vote of thanks and acknowledged the efforts of everyone involved.

Pencil pulse competition saw an enthusiastic participation of 38 undergraduate and postgraduate students from various institutions coming under Father Muller Charitable Institutions. The winners were as follows:

First prize - Neha CR – Phase 3 MBBS student, FMMC

Second prize – Ann Mariya Toby- Father Muller Nursing College, Thumbe

Third prize- Haritha Sathyan – Phase 3 MBBS student, FMMC.

The Vitruvian Society, the anatomy club of FMMC core committee members are as follows:

• President: Melanie Angelina Lewis

• Vice president: Prakalya Harikrishnan

• Secretary: Blessey Olivia Balaraju

• Treasurer: Henric Harshith

• Head of logistics: Adithya R

• Social media head: Anshisha Melissa Dsouza

• Workshop coordinator: Manish SV

• Core committee members: Kevin Jason V, Adithya Irudia Raju, Simra U, Tripti Aroor, and Roshan V Byndoor

• Faculty coordinator: Dr Dane Chandy, associate professor of anatomy.