March 30th will pass by for some as any other day. However, it should not. It is a day for us to celebrate and recognize American physicians for their ongoing work to improve the health of our communities, country and world. As we have said before, in the end, we are all patients. Doctors will impact the lives of most, if not all, American’s at some point. Today, we urge you to recognize this service and say Thank You.
National Doctors’ Day has a date rich with history. March 30th is the anniversary of the first use of general anesthesia in surgery by Dr. Crawford Long in 1842 when he used ether in Jefferson, Georgia for the excision of a neck tumor. In 1933, Eudora Brown Almond (wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond), and the Barrow County Medical Auxiliary Society in Georgia commemorated this date by mailing cards to physicians and their families along with placing flowers on graves of deceased doctors.
In 1958, The US House of Representatives adopted a resolution to formally commemorate Doctors’ Day and on February 21, 1991 President George Bush proclaimed March 30th as National Doctors’ Day to recognize American physicians working to improve the health of this country through patient care, research, education and more.
The proclamation reminds us of both the honor and the cost of following the professional calling of being physician.
“More than the application of science and technology, medicine is a special calling, and those who have chosen this vocation in order to serve their fellowman understand the tremendous responsibility it entails…Accordingly, reverence for human life and individual dignity is both the hallmark of a good physician and the key to truly beneficial advances in medicine.
However, in addition to the doctors whose name we easily recognize, there are countless others who carry on the quiet work of healing each day in communities throughout the United States — indeed, throughout the world. Common to the experience of each of them, from the specialist in research to the general practitioner, are hard work, stress, and sacrifice. All those Americans who serve as licensed physicians have engaged in years of study and training, often at great financial cost. Most endure long and unpredictable hours, and many must cope with the conflicting demands of work and family life.”
Here at UNMC we are grateful for all of our physician colleagues who strive to always provide the best care for the patient and we recognize the sacrifices each has had to make in the process. The institution will be celebrating Doctors’ Day in honor of this.
But, we are also specifically grateful for our ID Division physicians who provide excellent care for patients, but also, who make sure to care for each other by stepping up to help a colleague in need, covering a shift, mentoring and sponsoring colleagues, and who truly appreciate the unique expertise of each of our faculty members.
To all physicians reading this – THANK YOU and please do thank a colleague.
If are not a physician, but you know one, say thank you today. Those two words carry phenomenal value to each and every physician.
Happy Doctors’ Day!