Happy Doctor’s Day 2019
Every year I try to make a point to wish every physician a Happy Doctor’s Day! You may think this is a bogus holiday or occasion but it isn’t. While nurses get a week and other groups may get a month, we only get a day. One freaking day! And even then most hospital employers will forget or ignore it (and you). On average, over 50% of hospitals do not recognize this day. This is from surveys on this site for the last ten years. How easy would it be to send an email or a simple token of appreciation? It’s the simple things in life that keep physicians engaged. But, unfortunately, people forget about us.
For those who don’t know how it started, here goes:
On March 30th, 1933 Eudora Brown Almond, wife of a Dr. Cha Almond, commemorated the anniversary of the first use of anesthesia back in 1842. From 1933 to 1958, the Women’s Auxiliary of the Southern Medical Association kept the tradition of Doctor’s Day alive by mailing cards to physicians and by placing flowers on the graves of the deceased doctors every March 30th. In 1958 the United States House of Representatives adopted a resolution to commemorate March 30th as Doctor’s Day. In 1991, President George Bush signed a resolution proclaiming March 30th as the first National Doctor’s Day.
Surveys continue to show that doctors want to quit or retire. They also would not recommend this profession to others. How sad is that?
Now why did my wife give me a handwritten Doctor’s Day card in the picture above? Because there is none out there to buy!! Here is a picture from one place:
It may be tough to see but all these cards are for nurses and administrators. Administrators!! Speaking of which, here is one hospital celebrating Doctor’s Day by including NP and PAs, as if they should be all grouped together.
At least they recognized the doctors and gave them a breakfast but it’s disrespectful and devaluing for us to put non doctors in the same group.
If you are not a doctor, don’t hesitate to tell a physician that you appreciate him or her.
If you are a doctor, take a second for some introspection. You directly help people every day. You can brag about this to your friends, your family and your community (even though you won’t). That is what this day is for. Don’t let your organization forget you, but if they do then do not forget yourselves!
Sincerely,
Douglas Farrago MD
Our administration at Aspirus Hospital and Clinics in Wausau, Wisconsin provided all of us with a lunch consisting of, I am told, prime rib steaks and all the fixings. It was scheduled at noon on Friday. Of course all of us are seeing patients and working so we really did not have time to attend. I am sure the administrative physicians all attended. That’s nice….
I’m surprised the card does not read ‘Happy Provider day! ‘
NPs and PAs? WTF? Mrs Almond is probably rotating genteelly in her grave.
Our hospital sponsored a happy hour from 6-8 pm to celebrated doctors day. Unfortunatly my hospitalist shift scheduled from 7 am to 7 pm characteristically actually lasted until 11 pm, so no celebration for me. Also don’t get paid for the extra 4 hours so too bad I missed that free drink.
Last year the Hampton VA celebrated Doctors day in the morning in the middle of patient care. And yes it included Physician Extenders. I called the POC and pointed out that’s when we are working. She said people were showing up. I said why aren’t they working I have a 3 month wait to see me and work 11-12 hour days. She got pissed and tried to justify her decision with administrative moronic gobbledygook. I quit the VA last December because I was tired of working for people dumber than I am.
Then where are you going?
After screwing us all year, the Administrators sat around and decided how to mollify us.
“I know, let’s give them a meal. Lunch or breakfast, but not both.”
Isn’t that what the Mafia does before knocking you off?
Thanks, Doug
Yesterday I expressed to my partner-du-jour the hope that perhaps the three PAs would honor us on Doctor’s Day by seeing all of the patients, but alas it did not come to pass.
Would’ve killed our RVUs anyway…
Perhaps doctors will be appreciated when they are all gone ?
Probably not. There will be plenty of NPs and and PAs to take over. No disrespect to them, but the powers that be are happy with cheaper labor.