The Rev. Tom Clerkin carries a little yellow card in his wallet
at all times.
In the event of a tragedy, the card instructs that his body be
donated to the Department of Pathology at the UCLA Medical
Center.
Clerkin, a Catholic priest in the Department of Spiritual Care
at the medical center, made the decision and filed the paperwork to
donate his body for the advancement of medicine several years
ago.
“It’s important for me to be able to contribute to
the betterment of society and to continue the medical education and
research at UCLA,” he said.
“Willing one’s body or organs is the last and
greatest act of charity that one can perform.”
The recent allegations against the head of the UCLA Willed Body
Program, Henry Reid, have not affected Clerkin’s decision.
But his trust in the UCLA program is now unresolved.
“I’m not really sure if I want to change hospitals
or programs,” he said.
“That’s still a question mark, but my commitment and
my belief system ““ that remains intact.”
He hopes, however, that the investigation will not deter people
from donating their bodies to science.
“Anything like this will certainly create a negative
atmosphere for such a wonderful and giving program,” Clerkin
said.
“I hope that if people are inclined to offer this act of
charity that they … do their best to make sure their decisions
are respected.”
Clerkin has worked at the medical center for two years,
providing religious and spiritual guidance to patients and
families.
“After being with people in the good times and the
difficult times, at the end of the day I can say I made a positive
difference in at least one person’s life,” he said.
“Being present (for) people is the most gratifying and
fulfilling aspect of my ministry.”
Working daily in the hospital environment has guided
Clerkin’s desire to contribute to the education of medical
students.
“You see how much they want to learn and how much
compassion they have. They really want to be good doctors,”
he said.
“If I can help in some way after I pass on from this life
to help them become better doctors and professionals, that’s
certainly a real positive for me.”
Clerkin stresses the importance of discussing a living will with
friends and loved ones in order to determine what should be done
after death.
“When you’re alive and thinking clearly,
that’s the time to make these important decisions ““ not
when something is tragically wrong,” Clerkin urged.
“Keep everybody informed,” he added. “It makes
for a smoother transition.”
At last year’s service held by first-year medical students
in honor of the cadavers they dissected in anatomy lab, Clerkin
read a reflection on the willing of one’s body.
The reflection was written by the former director of spiritual
care, the Rev. David Myler, and addressed to a UCLA medical
student.
“After I’m done with it, my body will have little
material or spiritual meaning to me. I will be comforted to know
that I achieved a bit of immortality as you take what you have
learned from me and apply it to your professional lives,” the
reflection stated.