FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2010 |
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CONTACT: |
Tressa Kirby
202-687-8865
tk275@georgetown.edu
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Statement from Dean for Medical Education, Stephen Ray Mitchell, MD, Georgetown University School of Medicine
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Georgetown University School of Medicine was notified on Monday, May 3, 2010 by the Maryland Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors that it had summarily suspended the licenses of William and Thomas Chambers and the Chambers Funeral Home & Crematorium in Maryland for alleged serious deficiencies. This is the funeral home that Georgetown University School of Medicine contracted to transport our anatomical donor remains for cremation. Prior to this incident, we have had no reason to suspect deficiencies.
The School of Medicine has a deep commitment to the sacred trust of our donors and their families; from our educational programs, to our students and faculty, and to our long tradition of a donor mass to recognize this profound gift from each family.
The School of Medicine’s contract with the Chambers Funeral Home specifically outlines the School’s requirements that the remains be treated in a “respectful and organized manner.” It appears that this was not the case in this instance.
We continue to investigate this matter further, and we will communicate directly with all of our donor families.
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