Before her passing at 96 years old, Doreen Edna Buhler led a challenging yet extraordinary life. Following her father’s death, she departed from her birthplace in Calahoo, Alta., and established a new life in Edmonton, working with her spouse at his family’s diner in the city. Widowed at 39, Buhler drew strength from her faith and supported her 13 children by working as a baker, pastry chef, and cook in various kitchens across Edmonton.
As part of her final wishes, Buhler generously donated her body to the University of Alberta’s Anatomical Gifts Program, allowing future medical professionals to learn from the vessel that had carried her through life. Speaking at a commemorative event for anatomical donors at the University of Alberta, Brigid Burton praised her mother’s incredible life and the additional chapter she had through this selfless act.
The annual memorial for anatomical donors, held by the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the university, gathered hundreds of students and faculty to pay tribute to those who had bequeathed their bodies to the program. Dr. David Williams, chair of the surgery department, expressed gratitude towards donor families for honoring their loved ones’ wishes and enriching the education of numerous medical students each year.
Anatomical donations play a crucial role in various health and research programs on campus, benefiting students in disciplines like medicine, dentistry, kinesiology, physical therapy, and physical education. The program not only educates but also facilitates research and practice of rare medical procedures.
Doreen Edna Buhler, born in 1928 on a farm outside Edmonton, passed away in 2024 at the age of 96. Her decision to donate her body was a final testament to her remarkable life, according to her children, Brigid Burton and Anthony Buhler. They shared insights into their mother’s life, emphasizing her resilience, faith, and legacy of generosity.
The Anatomical Gifts Program at the University of Alberta has been operational since the inception of the medical school in 1921 and is one of the few such programs in Canada and the United States. Program coordinator Jason Papirny highlighted the significance of donations, noting that donors see it as a way to continue teaching even after their passing.
The university receives between 50 to 80 donations annually, with over 10,000 individuals expressing their intent to donate. Donors come from various backgrounds, and each donation provides students with a unique opportunity to understand human anatomy, diseases, and treatments in a real-world context.
Training with actual human bodies offers students an unparalleled educational experience that textbooks cannot replicate. Margaret Juryn, a second-year medical student, expressed gratitude during the memorial service, acknowledging the courage and selflessness of those who choose to donate their bodies for medical education and research purposes.
