view . spring2015
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ANNA FARIAS, SCHULICH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY
Eachyear, in thefirst labof theirGrossAnatomy class,
students in theWindsor programof the SchulichSchool
of Medicine&Dentistrypay their respects to thosewho
havedonated their bodies in thename of learning.
It’s something very important toAnnaFarias, an anatomy
learning specialistwho teaches the labwhereYear 1, 2 and 4
medical students learn the intricacies of the humanbody.
“I understand the students areenteringadifficult learning
environment, so Iwelcomemy studentswithapositiveup-beat
attitude,” she says. “Weacknowledge that it is aprivilege tohave
access toa cadaveric lab. Thiswouldnot havebeenpossible
without thealtruismof thedonorswho contribute to theeducation
of themedical professionals,who in turn, servegenerations
to come.”
Farias says that learning extends beyondbeing amedical
expert. In addition, her students learn such competencies
as professionalism—maintaining a respectful demeanour,
confidentiality, and reverence. They also learn tobe collaborative
and learn from eachother.
TheWindsor programhas state-of-the-art facilities, including
virtual labs and classroomswith the capacity to engage in video
conferencingof lectures betweenWindsor and themed school’s
campus inLondon. UWindsor nursing andbiology students can
alsouse the lab for teachingpurposes.
One innovationof whichFarias is veryproud is the use of
senior students tohelp teach those just startingout. “The peer-
to-peer learning is a very effective component of our program,”
she says. “I think having the fourth-year students here is brilliant,
because that’s the point atwhich theyhave amore holistic
understandingof the humanbody.”
It is part of her overall approach to learning, which
encompasses a range of teachingmethods. “I really care that
they learn something for every lab, and I appreciatewhat they
bring in aswell.”
“The enthusiasm goes bothways. The interactionwith the
students, the time spentwith them. The intricacies of the human
body continue to astoundme—my job is absolutely fascinating.”
It’s a fascination that developedover time. Farias originally
set out to specialize inmicrobiology, but soon found she had an
aptitude for dissection.
“The deanof my almamater toldme that if I continued in
anatomy, he couldpromiseme a job as soon as I finished,”
she recalls. “Once I got into the field, I really enjoyed it. I haven’t
regretted it since.
