Today is National Doctors’ Day
Doctors make countless invaluable contributions to our lives and our communities every day, but March 30 is the only national holiday designated to celebrate them. While the date is mostly marked by healthcare organizations and celebrated in medical facilities these days, it is meant to be an opportunity for patients to recognize their doctors’ service and achievements. In a time when the conversation about healthcare is often dominated by debates over coverage, access to care, and the opioid crisis, it’s a good reminder to take a moment to appreciate the individuals who have dedicated their lives to making ours healthier.
Doctors’ Day was first celebrated in Winder, Georgia back in 1933. Eudora Brown Almond, wife to Dr. Charles B. Almond, had the brilliant idea of honoring physicians and their medical advances.
The date chosen was the anniversary of a breakthrough that revolutionized medical treatment, saved countless lives, and facilitated many subsequent discoveries. On March 30, 1842, Dr. Crawford Long first used ether to anesthetize his patient, James Venable, during surgery to painlessly remove a neck tumor. Just imagine what the world would be like today if surgery were performed on alert patients who could feel—and react to—pain.
That first observance of Doctors’ Day 85 years ago included the sending of cards to doctors and their spouses, the placement of red carnations on the graves of deceased doctors (including Dr. Long’s), and a formal dinner party hosted by Dr. and Mrs. William T. Randolph. Red carnations have since come to symbolize Doctors’ Day.
Doctors’ Day officially became National Doctors’ Day on October 30, 1990 when President George H. W. Bush signed a Senate joint resolution establishing the national holiday.
While medicine has changed and evolved tremendously over the past 85 years, it would probably make your doctor’s Doctors’ Day to receive an oldfashioned hand-written card acknowledging their service and the day. Send a nice (and budget-friendly) bouquet of red carnations, and they’ll be impressed by your knowledge of the holiday and your thoughtful consideration.
Another traditional way to celebrate National Doctors’ Day is to send food, which can likely be traced to that fancy dinner at Dr. and Mrs. Randolph’s house back in ’33. This is especially appropriate for hospital-based doctors and physicians whose long work hours caring for others can make it difficult to care for themselves. Whether you opt to cater a lunch or send a gift basket, remember to keep it healthy! Fruits and nuts and complex carbs will keep your doc’s motor running and show that you care about their health too.
National Doctors’ Day is today, so any cards or gifts you send through the mail won’t make it there on time. (You can still send them—your appreciation will be appreciated.) So, why not take a few minutes to craft positive reviews of the doctors who have helped you or your family and post them on ZocDoc, WebMD, Yelp, Google, Facebook, Healthgrades, Vitals, and RateMDs.com?
As 21st century consumers, we rely on reviews to inform our decisions from where to eat dinner to which vacuum cleaner to buy. When it comes to choosing doctors, reviews can be even more influential. Leaving a positive review won’t just help your doctor attract new patients; you may just help someone who is struggling to find the right doctor to get the care they need.
Another great way to show your support for the doctors in your life is to support the organizations that support them. If you or your family is affected by a specific condition or disease such as Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, or Crohn’s, you can make a contribution in your doctor’s name to fund research. The American Medical Association (AMA) will send a personal note of recognition to any doctor you choose to honor with a donation in their name. You can also support the health of the very people who are dedicated to supporting your health by contributing to groups such as the Committee for Physician Health (CPH). CPH is a division of the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) that provides confidential assistance to physicians, residents, medical students, and physician’s assistants experiencing problems from stress, substance abuse and other psychiatric disorders, including psychiatric problems that may arise as a result of medical illness.