The Delta Health System hospitals and clinics will celebrate and honor physicians on Doctors’ Day, Saturday, March 30, 2024. On this day, physicians are recognized for their contributions to enriching the healthcare lives of their patients and families.
“Doctors’ Day is a special day at The Medical Center because we get to honor and recognize the compassionate and dedicated physicians on our staff. Their service is essential to the wellbeing of our community and Delta Region. Our team is thankful for each one of our doctors,” said Iris Stacker, Chief Executive Officer. “I grew up in a family of physicians and understand the commitment they make every day for the betterment of their patients and families. I am proud to have our physicians working at The Medical Center.”
Historically, 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, and the recognition occurred on the anniversary of the first administration of anesthesia by Dr. Crawford W. Long in Jefferson, Georgia, in 1842.
In 1990, legislation was introduced in the House and Senate by Congressmen Mike Parker (D-Mississippi) and G. V. Montgomery (D-Mississippi) and Senator Thad Cochran (R-Mississippi) to establish a national Doctors' Day. Following overwhelming approval by the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, on October 30, 1990, President George Bush signed a resolution designating March 30 as "National Doctors' Day”.
“Serving our patients, their families and the community is an honor and a privilege that physicians do not take lightly. Our dedicated team at The Medical Center are some of the best and brightest. I am proud to work to stand and work with them,” said Dr. Phil Doolittle, The Medical Center Chief of Staff.
Doctors’ Day is celebrated in fifteen other countries with dates depending on the event of commemoration used to mark the day. In some nations the day is marked as a holiday. Stacker adds, “Our physicians continue to be supportive of our hospital system and we are all on the same team of providing superior care to all we serve. We are grateful and appreciative for their profession 365 days a year but officially say “thank you” on Doctors’ Day.”