Medical students honor patients at 2026 Legacy Teachers™

The University of Missouri School of Medicine recently hosted luncheons in Columbia and Springfield, Missouri, to recognize patients who inspired and provided impactful lessons to third-year medical students.

Beginning in 2006, the annual Legacy Teachers™ event gives third-year medical students the opportunity to honor a patient as one of their greatest teachers by submitting an essay, artwork or poetry. In the past 20 years, more than 470 patients have been recognized at the event.

2026 Legacy Teachers™ Springfield luncheon

2026 Legacy Teachers™ Springfield luncheon

Legacy Teachers honored at this year’s luncheons received a certificate from the Mizzou School of Medicine and corsages/boutonnieres, recognizing their contributions to the students’ medical education. 16 total medical students also received a certificate and a Legacy Teacher pin, which was created in 2020 in recognition of the program’s 15th anniversary.

“The Legacy Teachers program gives Mizzou third-year medical students a chance to reflect on this important year of their medical training and the opportunity to thank some of their most important teachers,” said Betsy Garrett, MD, director of the Legacy Teachers program. “We hope this event reminds us all that we must never stop learning from our patients, for they have so much to teach us.”

2026 Legacy Teachers™ Columbia luncheon

2026 Legacy Teachers™ Columbia luncheon