Once a year on March 30, the U.S. celebrates physicians for their extraordinary work in caring for patients, communities and society as a whole. This year, as we mark the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, National Doctors’ Day takes on even greater meaning. This year we honor the selflessness, heroism and compassion of all Northwestern Medicine physicians as they continue to lead our health system, the nation and the world through the most devastating healthcare crisis in more than 100 years. In honor of National Doctors’ Day, Northwestern Medicine will celebrate its more than 5,500 physicians with a special video of thanks that will be shared across the health system and on NM social media channels. The NM Doctors’ Day video captures heroic moments of care from the past year and features the voices of NM physicians reading passages from the Hippocratic Oath. We invite you to post the video to your personal social media accounts, using #NMBetter, along with a message about what it has meant to you to be a healthcare provider this past year. NM also will deliver packaged treats to all hospital physician lounges, and Northwestern Medical Group and Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group physician practices.
Doctors’ Day recognizes physicians but also the day in 1842 when Crawford W. Long, MD, administered the first ether anesthetic for surgery. Ninety-one years later, Eudora Brown Almond, who was married to Charles B. Almond, MD, initiated the first Doctors’ Day celebration by mailing greeting cards to physicians and placing flowers on the graves of deceased physicians. A federal proclamation signed in 1991 declared March 30 as National Doctors’ Day.
NM invites all physicians, employees and patients to join us in celebrating and honoring your colleagues on this special day by posting on one of the NM social media platforms. Upload photos to your personal social media account with the hashtags #NMBetter and #NMConsent. Visit nm.org/mediaconsent for terms and conditions. Remember: Masks and appropriate PPE must be worn in photos.