Below is a re-post of a piece I wrote to recognize Doctors’ Day, 2014. Below that is a link to a piece recently written by one of my surgical colleagues in PA. He is spot on with his words.
On March 30, 1933 the first Doctors’ Day was observed in Winder, Georgia. Eudora Brown Almond, a wife of a local physician, conceived the idea and coordinated the day of recognition to occur on the anniversary of the first administration of ether anesthesia for surgery by Dr. Crawford W. Long in Jefferson, Georgia, in 1842. The day was observed, in part, by placing flowers on the graves of deceased physicians.
On March 30, 1958 the United States House of Representatives adopted a resolution commemorating Doctors’ Day. In 1990, legislation was introduced and overwhelmingly approved by both houses of the legislature to establish a national Doctors’ Day. On October 30, 1990 President George Bush signed that legislation into law, and every year thereafter on March 30th, physicians would be recognized and honored for sacrifices made and for their tireless commitment to patients and their well-being. The red carnation is the official symbol of Doctors’ Day, symbolizing the qualities of sacrifice, charity, courage, bravery and love.
So, if you have a friend or family member who is a Doctor, call them up or shoot them off a text to wish them a happy Doctors’ Day. Or perhaps you will be cared for by a Doctor tomorrow -- wish him or her a happy holiday.
These are difficult times in terms of quality health care and appropriate access to it for Americans. Often Doctors get caught in the crossfire of the political, socio-economic and moral issues muddying the waters. As a result, we are often prevented from caring for and treating our patients the way we were trained. Despite the occasional “bad” player, the majority of my colleagues and I take our sworn oath and commitment to our patients’ well-being very seriously.
I am honored today to extend my good wishes to many colleagues on this 2014 National Doctors’ Day. I share this day with two fellow physicians and Anesthesiologists who happen also to be my brothers. They both paved the way for me and every day serve me well as mentors, teachers and confidantes. I am also compelled to acknowledge my medical school classmates, without whose encouragement, support, healthy competition and camaraderie, I would not be the Doctor I am today. One of the more gifted and brilliant of the hundred or so of us is pictured with me here on our graduation day from medical school in 1996. Despite my poor compliance with her knitting advice, Dr. K found it in her heart to pose with me on that glorious day so many years ago. Teacher, colleague, knitting coach and dear friend --my cup runneth over. HAPPY DOCTORS’ DAY!!!
http://m.generalsurgerynews.com/Article.aspx?d=Opinions+&+Letters&d_id=7...
