At Hayes Locums, we celebrate physicians every day, but especially on National Doctors’ Day- March 30, 2021.
Given the challenges we’ve faced over the last year, it’s more important than ever to recognize physicians for their hard work and dedication to the communities they serve.
The first National Doctors’ Day was observed on March 30th, 1933, in Winder, Georgia, and started by Eudora Brown Almond, the wife of a prominent local physician. She chose this specific day in honor of Dr. Crawford W. Long, who used an ether anesthetic for the first time during surgery on this day in 1842.
The first observance included the mailing of greeting cards and placing flowers on the graves of deceased doctors. The flowers she used were red carnations — a flower still used to this day for the annual National Doctors’ Day celebrations.
Decades later, in 1991, President George Bush signed National Doctors’ Day into law. The day is now the culmination of Nationals Physicians Week, which was started in 2016 by Dr. Kim Jackson.
Now, years later, we recognize this day as an annual opportunity for patients to reflect on and show gratitude for the careful and personalized care physicians around the world have provided them. It’s also a time for hospitals and other employers to show appreciation to their dedicated and passionate medical teams.
So, how can you celebrate National Doctors’ Day with your team?
- Ask patients to create thank you notes for the physicians in your facility and provide materials like note cards, stickers, and pens.
- Host a small recognition ceremony, either in person or virtually, where you recognize the physicians on your team for their unique talents and accomplishments.
- Support your doctors’ mental and physical health by providing coupons or vouchers for healthy meal delivery services, exercise classes, or at-home fitness programs.
- Create a “thank you” video or slideshow that can be shared on your website and promoted on social media to support your staff.
You can also keep it simple — and kick it back to 1933 — by giving every doctor a red carnation and telling them how much you appreciate them.
For individuals and patients, we also invite you to share your story. Think about how a doctor has impacted your life in a meaningful way. Maybe they treated one of your parents or grandparents, delivered your baby, or helped you or a family member through a difficult time. Whatever the circumstances, think about how a doctor has positively changed your life and share your story through a note, a review, or social media. Use the hashtag #NationalDoctorsDay or link your story with your doctor’s social media page if they have one.
At Hayes Locums, we’ve dedicated our business to improving healthcare, but that mission depends entirely on the medical providers we work with, including our outstanding physicians.
Happy National Doctors’ Day!
