National Doctors’ Day is March 30 each year. The date holds another significance. It commemorates the date that a doctor first used general anesthesia during surgery.
On March 30, 1842, Dr. Crawford Long used ether to anesthetize a patient named John Venable in Jefferson, Georgia.
For National Doctors’ Day, HR teams across the United States celebrate their physicians. They find creative ways to recognize their contributions to the field, the community, and broader society.
This article contains ten fun ways you can have your own doctors day celebration.
History of National Doctors’ Day
National Doctors’ Day in the United States came into being in 1958 officially. Though, the first unofficial observance was on March 30, 1933.
The Barrow County Alliance, in Winder, Georgia, honored physician by giving greeting cards to local physicians. They also placed flowers on the graves of deceased doctors.
Eudora Brown Almond spearheaded the effort. She was the wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond. In 1958, the United States House of Representatives adopted the Resolution Commemorating Doctors’ Day:
“WHEREAS the Alliance to the Barrow County Medical Society wishes to pay lasting tribute to the Doctors, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the Alliance to the Barrow County Medical that March 30, the day that famous Georgian Dr. Crawford W. Long first used ether anesthesia in surgery, be adopted as ‘Doctors’ Day,’ the object to be the well-being and honor of the profession, its observance demanding some act of kindness, gift or tribute in remembrance of the Doctors.”
In 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed a law that officially designated Doctors’ Day as a national holiday. It’s become a day to recognize the doctors and their efforts.
Over 1 million medical doctors are practicing in the United States. Over 82 percent of all adults and 93 percent of children visit a doctor or clinic each year.
Ways to Celebrate: National Doctors’ Day Ideas
Here are some creative ideas for National Doctors’ Day that work from small to more substantial budgets. If you are small practice, you can easily scale some of these down to fit your staff and budget.
1. Doctor Appreciation Day Awards
A simple, classic idea is to give the doctors in your practice, hospital, or clinic personalized awards. You can keep these simple by printing yourself and adding a modest frame.
Or, you can place an order for customized awards or medals. Be creative and acknowledge each doctor for his or her individual strengths. Go for fun awards such as the funniest physician, best dressed, and other awards that have nothing to do with being a doctor.
2. Luncheon, Dinner, or Happy Hour Celebration
For lunch, take your doctors out and treat them to lunch at a local restaurant. Or, have a luncheon onsite. Go with takeout from your doctors’ restaurant of choice, or have it catered. If your budget is limited, go with a traditional potluck.
Staff and fellow health professionals can bring homemade side dishes, desserts, and, healthy snacks. Potlucks are economical, but also give you the opportunity to get creative and apply a fun theme. Have a luau, for example!
Depending on the shift or clinic hours, all of the above can be a breakfast rather than lunch. Often, a relaxed brunch is a big hit when it comes to professional and social gatherings alike.
If your budget allows, make it a dinner out rather than lunch. Invite significant others as well. A lesser expensive version of an evening celebration is a happy hour event. Everyone pays his or her own way and of course covers the doctors’ tab.
3. Recognition or Awards Ceremony
You can combine the first two ideas mentioned above into an event. Whether formal or informal, you can hold an awards ceremony. Invite everyone to dress accordingly and have music and food.
Provide physicians with a red carnation boutonniere or another small corsage. Red carnations symbolize charity, love, bravery, and sacrifice. This is why the red carnation is the official flower for National Doctors’ Day.
After presenting the boutonnieres and corsages, honor each doctor with an award and a brief statement of their history and achievements. Invite colleagues to give short remarks.
4. Show of Appreciation from Patients and Staff
These days, notes of appreciation take many forms, from the traditional note card to digital presentations. Patients and staff alike can contribute.
Patient Notes
Patients will be more than happy to participate in your doctors’ day appreciation efforts. Doctors impact the lives of many. A couple of weeks before March 30, leave blank cards at the reception desk or waiting room.
Encourage patients to fill out a card while they wait for their appointment. They can leave the notes at the front desk as they leave.
A handwritten note is a simple, classic personal touch. Your physicians will appreciate hearing from their patients.
Sometimes, such notes become noteworthy enough to send along to your organization’s superiors, such as the hospital’s chief of staff.
Notes from Staff
Of course, you and your staff can do the same. It’s often easier to write a note of appreciation than it is to say it to the person directly. Staff will welcome the opportunity to express their thoughts in the privacy of a note card.
Video Thank You
Another creative way for staff to honor their doctors is to create a “thank you” video for your physicians. You can contract a videographer or shoot it yourself. The video can feature your staff expression their appreciation.
If your practice has a YouTube channel, post it on your page to share with your followers.
National Doctors’ Day Page to Your Website
If your practice also has its own website, you can take it a step further. Post the video there are well, as part of a special “National Doctors’ Day.” It’s another avenue for patients, friends, and colleagues to express their sentiments.
You can include photos of your physicians as well as any slideshows of your other appreciation events. You can also share patients’ testimonials on the web page if they give their permission.
Online Donation Opportunity
A great way to honor National Doctors’ Day is to add a link to the website for people to make an online donation. Patients, friends, and coworkers can donate to your facility or charity of choice.
Patrons should have a way to acknowledge their chosen physician with their contributions. Also, ensure that the physicians can view the contributions and comments regarding those contributions in his or her name.
5. Onsite Car Detailing Service
Who has time to clean their own car?
Schedule a local car detailing service to come to your parking lot for the day. Detailing services can vary. You can review the rates and decide what your “doctors’ day package” contains.
Detailing often includes an exterior wash and polish. It also includes vacuuming and dusting the interior. You can ask about tires and anything else you think your doctors would like.
Ask your physicians for their keys. At the end of the day, each will all have a freshly detailed car. If you give your coworkers advanced notice, they are free to book their own slots as well.
6. Small Tokens of Appreciation
Small gifts can have a big impact. Gifts don’t have to be extravagant. Your doctors will appreciate something thoughtful like a lapel pin, a new coffee mug, or a pen set. Small promotional gifts for National Doctors Day are often welcome.
Fun Gifts
Humorous gifts are a fun option, especially if your doctors have a healthy sense of humor. Novelty gifts abound for those in the medical field.
Medical themed products from stress-reliever squishies to leg bone pens are available for your favorite orthopedic doctor.
Practical Gifts
Another lighthearted option is small practical gifts. Promotional items and themed items are available, such as pens, pocket hand sanitizer, and even themed or branded tissues.
Gifts from Patients
Patients may wish to give gifts as well. If a patient asks for gift ideas, recommend something small and not overly expensive.
Physicians may experience an ethical dilemma if they receive extravagant gifts. Though, small tokens show appreciation without causing concern.
7. Flowers or Edible Treats
Order a bouquet of flowers to be delivered to your doctors’ home or offices. Alternately, you can order edible gifts. Goody baskets with seasonal goodies or local treats are available.
Fill the baskets with any number of items like fruit, wine and cheese, honey, and artisan bread.
There are even delivery companies out there that create “edible flowers” made from cut fruit on sticks. Sometimes, doctors may be a tad uncomfortable receiving gifts.
Though, food baskets and other edibles are something they can share with colleagues.
If you have budget constraints, you can always work with other coworkers to put together your own gift baskets. If you know what flavors and treats your doctors like, you can put together all sorts of fun and quirky packages.
8. Onsite Massages for Doctors’ Day
Onsite massage companies provide businesses with chair massage services. Service providers come to your clinic or business. They set up a booth quickly that has several seated massage chairs.
Employees receive a ten-minute mini massage from a licensed massage therapist. If that’s something your doctors would enjoy, set up a massage day for National Doctors’ Day.
Set up your even by scheduling massages throughout the day. Doctors can come on a first-come, first served basis. Or, you can set a schedule. Invite all employees to participate.
One-time massage events like these can help all employees reduce stress, loosen tight muscles, and even prevent select worksite injuries. If this comes as a surprise to the doctors, all the better!
9. Doctors Appreciation Surprise Party
Any of the events listed above can come with the element of surprise. If possible, arrange for your doctors’ families to be present as well, especially for any lunch or dinner events.
Family members can meet up at the restaurant. If the event is at work, they can arrive with flowers or balloons. In those situations where you are working remotely, an unexpected Skype of video conference can make the whole event.
10. An Unexpected Day Off
Why not give your doctors a chance to do something they don’t often do? Relax! Work with your HR department to offer a free day off. Of course, you can’t send all the doctors on holiday at once.
It may be possible to stagger the time off. If nothing else, you could do half days to ensure coverage.
How Doctors Can Celebrate National Doctors Day
Many physicians see this day as a time for reflection on their profession. They take a moment to think about the good they have done over the years. They also reflect on the lives they couldn’t save or make better.
If you are a physician, here are some ways you can celebrate your accomplishments, even if you don’t usually think about them as such.
Focus on the Good
Your profession presents hurdles and other challenges. Despite those, your career is a calling toward helping and healing. The good you do is worth the challenges.
We all have our personal challenges and limitations as well. Accept your own and carry on. Continue to practice empathy and kindness with your staff and patients.
Focus on Family
Spend time with your family around March 30. They are your biggest supporters, and we all know kids grow up way too fast. Also, take stock of your own health care.
All too often, physician’s need to hear the old phrase, “Physician, heal thyself.”
A Heartfelt Thank You
However you and your coworkers celebrate National Doctors Day, you will say a heartfelt thank you to your physicians for their hard work and dedication.
Your physicians will appreciate your gratitude. They will also benefit from your acknowledgment of their contributions to the profession and to the community.
Hippocrates stated, “Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.”
Please contact us with questions about gift ideas for National Doctors’ Day.