HISTORY OF DOCTORS' DAY

In 1990, legislation was introduced in the House and Senate 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 into law designating every March 30 as "National Doctors' Day":

WHEREAS society owes a debt of gratitude to physicians for the contributions of physicians in enlarging the reservoir of scientific knowledge increasing the number of scientific tools, and expanding the ability of health professionals to use the knowledge and tools effectively in the never ending fight against disease and

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"; and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.

"The first Doctors' Day observance was held on March 30, 1933, by the Barrow County Auxiliary, 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 Barrow County, Georgia, in 1842. The Auxiliary immediately adopted the following resolution:

'WHEREAS the Auxiliary to the Barrow County Medical Society wishes to pay lasting tribute to he Doctors, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the Auxiliary to the Barrow County Medical that March 30, the day that famous Georgian Dr. Crawford W. Long first used ether anesthesia in surgery, be adopted as "Doctors Day," the object to be the well-being and honor of the profession, its observance demanding some act of kindness, gift or tribute in remembrance of the Doctors.'

This first observance included the mailing of cards to the physicians and their wives, flowers placed on graves of deceased doctors, including Dr. Long, and a formal dinner in the home of Dr. and Mrs. William T. Randolph. After the Barrow County Auxiliary adopted Mrs. Almond's resolution to pay tribute to the doctors, the plan was presented to the Georgia State Medical Auxiliary in 1933 by Mrs. E. R. Harris of Winder, president of the Barrow County Auxiliary. On May 10, 1934, the resolution was adopted at the annual state meeting in Augusta, Georgia. The resolution was introduced to the Women's Auxiliary of the Southern Medical Association at its 29th annual meeting held in St. Louis, Missouri, November 19-22, 1935, by the Auxiliary president, Mrs. J. Bonar White. Since then, Doctors' Day has become an integral part of and synonymous with, the Southern Medical Association Auxiliary. Through the years the red carnation has been used as the symbol of Doctors' Day.

On March 30, 1958, a Resolution Commemorating Doctors' Day was adopted by the United States House of Representatives. On August 1, 1989, the SMA Auxiliary, under the direction of President Mrs. David Thibodeaux, dedicated a bronze marker honoring Mrs. Almond on the grounds of the Court House in Winder, Georgia."

 

Courtesy of SMA Auxillary

 

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