“WHEREAS society owes a debt of gratitude to physicians for the sympathy and compassion of physicians in ministering to the sick and in alleviating human suffering: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that; March 30, 1991, is designated as “National Doctors' Day.”
The enactment of the 1991 law gave citizens throughout the United States the opportunity to publicly show appreciation for the role of physicians play in caring for the sick, advancing medical knowledge, and promoting good health. Today National Doctors’ Day is also celebrated in Canada and throughout the world. It’s an opportunity to recognize physicians for their selfless acts and dedication to serving their communities.
The first Doctors' Day observance was held on March 30, 1933, by the Barrow County Alliance, in Winder, Georgia. The idea of setting aside a day to honor physicians was conceived by Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, on the anniversary of the first anesthesia administration by Dr. Crawford W. Long in Jefferson, Georgia, in 1842.
However this special day came to be, we agree that taking time each year to recognize physicians’ contributions to our communities is important. Often we don’t know all the behind-the-scenes work that physicians do to take care of their patients. Yet, when a patient says, “thank you,” it makes their day. These individuals come to work each day, (and often into the wee hours of the morning), with one common goal: to improve the quality of life for their patients and communities.
At ThedaCare, we are fortunate to more than 500 physicians in a variety of specialties, serving in our hospitals and clinics. Regardless of the setting in which they provide care or administrative leadership, physicians make a tremendous difference in the lives of countless patients and family members each and every day.
We are also privileged to have a number of other clinical caregivers serving patients in our communities and we would like to extend our National Doctor's Day recognition to these professionals who are so important to ThedaCare.
On behalf of ThedaCare, we would like to thank you for the extraordinary care and service you provide to our patients and the vital role that you play in our communities.
Dean Gruner, MD President and CEO ThedaCare
