Erica Katz's letter apologizing to anatomy department

To Dr Stern, Dr. Jungers, Dr. Larson, and the rest of the anatomy department,

I'm writing to apologize for the picture that had been posted on my facebook page and for all the uproar it has caused this week and will continue to cause.

It was absolutely and unquestionably egregious, idiotic, disrespectful, and thoughtless for me to ever have taken that picture, and exponentially worse to have posted in on facebook.

I took it over 4 years ago while photographing some of the xrays to use to tutor 1st year students. I had not planned to take pictures of the cadaver, it was a spur of the moment act of idiocy, and I can assure you that no other pictures were ever taken.

I had honestly forgotten it existed, let alone that I had posted it online and that it was still there, and I am horrified to think how much trouble and embarrassment I have caused all of you.

I understand how large a breach of trust this was, as you all always emphasized how the cadavers were to be treated respectfully, as we were privileged to be learning from them.

If there is anything at all that I can do to mitigate the damage that I have done to the department and to the school, I will do it without question.

With my most humble and sincere apologies,

Erica Katz, MD