Tennessee Physicians Celebrate National Doctors' Day
State and Local Medical Societies Recognize Members’ Unique Service
March 30, 2022
Nashville, TN — March 30 is National Doctor’s Day, and the Tennessee Medical Association wants to acknowledge the service of more than 9,000 members who uphold rigid professional standards of dedication, ethics, sacrifice and a commitment to patients’ well-being.
National Doctors’ Day is an opportunity to thank the individuals in charge of our care. The past two years have been marked by a relentless pandemic, while a microscope has been placed upon our nation’s healthcare systems and policies.
Covid-19 made an already difficult job even more strenuous. Today, we say thank you to all physicians for taking care of patients in our communities and for their service on the frontlines of a global health crisis.
“Over the last two years in particular, physicians and all medical professionals have taken a significant increase in personal risk for themselves and their families,” said TMA President Ron Kirkland, MD, MBA. “On March 30, National Doctors’ Day, we offer our gratitude to doctors and all healthcare professionals across the country, and particularly in our state, for their commitment to improving the health and well-being of our patients."
On a national scale, more institutions have focused on providing help for physicians. Congress passed and President Joe Biden signed the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (HR1667) into law on March 18. This bill establishes grants and requires other activities to improve mental and behavioral health among health care providers.
The American Medical Association worked closely with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation and other societies to advocate for this legislation that aims to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals.
“We would like to publicly thank Tennessee physicians for their dedication to improving health and tackling public heath challenges particularly in light of recent events and challenges,” said Russ Miller, CAE, Tennessee Medical Association CEO. “Complex rules and regulations limit doctors’ resources and options to heal. Yet physicians consider it a great privilege and responsibility to serve others, and they persist because of a belief that they are called to heal and help give their patients back their quality of life.”
National Doctors’ Day was first celebrated in 1933 in Winder, Georgia by Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, to honor physicians. She selected March 30 because it is the first anniversary of a physician, Dr. Crawford W. Long, having successfully used anesthesia in 1842. She celebrated the first observance by mailing greeting cards to physicians and placing a red carnation on the graves of deceased doctors in the community. On October 30, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed Senate Joint Resolution 366 designating the first official National Doctor’s Day in 1991 (Public Law 101-473). It made March 30 an official holiday to honor physicians for their dedication and leadership.
TMA commends all Tennessee physicians for their service, and acknowledges the many personal sacrifices they make to meet the demands of their chosen profession.
For more information on how to combat physician burnout, visit the AMA’s website and the Tennessee Medical Foundation’s website.
The mission of the Tennessee Medical Association is to improve the quality of medical practice for physicians and the quality of healthcare for patients by influencing policies, laws, and rules that affect healthcare delivery in Tennessee.