Doctor’s Day 2023: Thanking physicians, surgeons, and all healthcare professionals for their tireless efforts

Every year the United States observes its Doctor’s Day on March 30 to recognize and honor the service of doctors to the nation. The idea was first proposed by the wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, Eudora Brown Almond and later adopted by the US government. March 30 marks the anniversary of the first successful use of general anesthesia in surgery on the same day in 1842. In Jefferson, Georgia, Dr. Crawford Long used ether to anesthetize a patient before removing his tumor painlessly. For more details on Doctor’s Day 2023 like its celebration, significance, history, etc, keep reading this article.

Doctor’s Day 2023 Overview

Doctor’s Day 2023 Date

Below mentioned are the upcoming dates for Doctor’s Day for the upcoming 5 years.

Significance of Doctor’s Day

Observed annually, Doctor’s Day focuses on acknowledging the contribution of all physicians to individuals, society, and the nation. The main purpose to observe this day is to raise awareness among people of the tireless efforts and dedication of doctors who give their all in helping their patients. The day offers an opportunity to thank all the healthcare professionals for providing constant care, working long hours, and responding to late-night calls. With a similar aim, Doctor’s Day 2023 will be observed on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

Check Other Important Days in March

History of Doctor’s Day

On March 30, 1933, the first Doctor’s Day was observed by the Barrow County Alliance, in Winder, Georgia. The idea of observing a day to honor physicians was conceived by Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond. The day was celebrated with people mailing thank you cards to the physicians and their wives, placing flowers on the graves of deceased doctors, and having a formal dinner party.

Later in 1933, the idea of Doctor’s Day was presented to the Georgia State Medical Alliance by the president of the Barrow County Alliance, Mrs. E. R. Harris of Winder. The idea was adopted at the annual state meeting in Augusta, Georgia on May 10, 1934.

In 1990, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed S.J. RES. #366 during the 101st United States Congress for national adoption of Doctor’s Day. President Bush signed the resolution on October 30, 1990, designating Doctors’ Day as a national holiday to be observed annually on March 30.

Check: Richest doctors in the world

Celebration of Doctor’s Day

Doctor’s day is celebrated all across the US with similar traditions followed on the first Doctor’s Day. People send their gratitude to the doctors by giving greeting cards to them and leaving red carnations on the grave of doctors who have passed away. You can take this day as an opportunity to learn more about the notable works of renowned doctors in the field of medicine. You can read books or even watch movies to learn more about doctors. If you know anyone in the healthcare profession, invite them for dinner and thank them personally for their service to mankind.

Interesting Facts about Doctors

Let’s check out some interesting facts about doctors this Doctor’s Day.

1. 65% of doctors in the US are male. However, there are more female pediatricians than males.
2. There are more than one million professionally active physicians in the United States.
3. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest-paying jobs in the US are all in medicine.
4. Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman to achieve a medical degree in the US.
5. Doctors did not wear white coats till 1800.
6. The first Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to the German physiologist Emil Adolf von Behring in 1901.
7. The thermometer was invented by Galileo Galilei and the stethoscope was invented by René Laennec.
8. Wouter Basson, also known as Dr. Death, tried to create a virus that will only affect black people.
9. Balamurali Krishna “Bala” Ambati entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s youngest doctor.
10. He is an Indian-American ophthalmologist who became a doctor at the age of 17 years, 294 days.

World Pharmacists Day

National Doctor’s Day in Other Countries

Check out the dates for the Doctor’s day celebration in different parts of the world.

• Venezuela- March 10
• Turkey- March 14
• Australia- March 30
• Kuwait- March 3
• Canada- May 1
• India- July 1
• El Salvador- July 14
• China- August 19
• Malaysia- October 10
• Brazil- October 18
• Indonesia- October 24
• Cuba- December 3

Frequently Asked Questions