MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - On Friday, March 30, West Virginia University Hospitals-East will join health systems and hospitals across the nation in honoring medical staff members on National Doctors’ Day.
The first Doctors’ Day celebration was organized in 1933 in Winder, Georgia. The idea was conceived by Barrow County Medical Auxilian Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond. March 30 was selected because it marked the anniversary of the first administration of anesthesia in 1842 by Dr. Crawford Long, a Barrow County physician.
Since that time, National Doctors’ Day has become an annual celebration to publicly show appreciation for the role of physicians in caring for the sick, advancing medical knowledge and promoting good health.
“Everyone understands that our physicians are important to our Eastern Panhandle community, not only as caregivers but as neighbors and community leaders,” stated Teresa McCabe, vice president of marketing and development at WVU Hospitals-East. “We want to take this opportunity to publicly thank them for their daily contributions to our health and well-being,” she added.
In 1958, a resolution commemorating Doctors’ Day was adopted by the United States House of Representatives. In 1990 President George Bush signed into law a resolution designating March 30as National Doctors’ Day.
WVUH-East board and management will host breakfasts for the City Hospital and Jefferson Memorial Hospital medical staff members and their families on National Doctors’ Day.