WHY IS MARCH 30TH KNOWN AS NATIONAL DOCTORS' DAY | MARCH 30TH, 2023

Did you know that March 30th is both National Doctors’ Day and the day when anesthesia was first used during surgery in the United States of America (USA) on March 30th, 1842? 

First, let's talk about the history of National Doctors’ Day. The first National Doctors’ Day observance was on March 30th, 1933, at the Barrow County Alliance in Winder, Georgia. The idea of setting a day called National Doctors’ Day was first created by Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond. In the 1930s, Eudora wanted to set a day to recognize the hard work and dedication that doctors do every day. 

Hence, Eudora took steps officially to recognize National Doctors Day in the USA. Eudora finally received recognition for her hard work placing red carnations on deceased doctors' graves, mailing cards to physicians, and presenting the plan for Doctors’ Day to local and state governments. 

The USA House of Representatives proposed to establish National Doctors’ Day officially on March 30th, 1958. Two decades later, in 1990, the legislation formally established National Doctors’ Day in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. Following the “overwhelming approval by BOTH the House of Representatives and Senate” ("The History of Doctors' Day- A Day To Honor Physicians"), President Bush signed S.J. Res.366, an official joint resolution, deciding that March 30th shall be known as National Doctors’ Day in the USA. 

Today, National Doctors’ Day is officially recognized with the red carnation as the official symbol to recognize values such as sacrifice, courage, charity, bravery, and love. With the power of social media and discussions by leaders of the medical world, National Doctors’ Day has expanded to National Doctors’ Week, which occurs from March 25th-March 31st. 

In conclusion, National Doctors’ Day would not have been established if it were not for Eudora Almond. Thank you, Eudora Almond, and thank you to all of you doctors out there for all the selfless care you provide to patients! 

Below are some quick statistics and facts about doctors:

• According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, they expect the employment of both physicians and surgeons to grow by 3% from 2021 to 2031.

• According to the Association of American Medical College (AAMC), in 2019, the amount of women physicians went up by 36.3%

Here are some ways you might consider honoring the doctors in your life on National Doctors Day: 

• Repost this as a THANK YOU and tag the doctors in your life

• Give a hand-written note to physicians you know

• Verbally thank a physician who’s made a difference in your life, either through education, patient care, mentoring, or community service.

• If you are a physician – take some time for self-care, reflection, and gratitude today. You deserve it!!

References

"National Doctors Day: March 30, 2022." United States Census Bureau, 30 Mar. 2022, www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/doctors-day.html. Accessed 16 Mar. 2023.

"National Doctors' Day." American Medical Association Alliance, amaalliance.org/national-doctors-day/. Accessed 16 Mar. 2023.

Sabry, Hala. "The History of National Doctors' Day and What It Means to Social Media." American Osteopathic Association, 1 Apr. 2022, thedo.osteopathic.org/columns/the-history-of-national-doctors-day-and-what-it-means-to-social-media/. Accessed 16 Mar. 2023.

"The History of Doctors' Day- A Day To Honor Physicians." Southern Medical Alliance, sma.org/about-sma/national-doctors-day/. Accessed 16 Mar. 2023.

By: Himanshi Kapoor