AADC Recognizes National Doctors Day, March 30, 2020

Dear Alumnae and Friends,

Today and during this unprecedented time in the United States and across the world, we salute the strength and the fortitude of physicians, many of whom are serving at the heart of this global effort.

It is a special day to remember and honor doctors who are part of our alumnae community. National Doctors Day honors the professionals for their dedication and contributions to society and the greater community. Their dedication puts the patient first every time. On National Doctors Day, we say “thank you” to our sister alumnae and all who are physicians for all that they do for us and for our loved ones. The red carnation is commonly used as the symbolic flower for National Doctors Day.

At the AADC, we are following all of the precautions and guidelines regarding reducing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected our alumnae community and the world. We care about the health and safety of all members of our sisterhood and their families. In addition to doctors, we salute all of our alumnae who are battling this pandemic as health care workers and others on the front lines.

Stay healthy, stay at home, stay strong and stay hopeful.

In Sisterhood,

Valerie L. Anderson ’81, MBA

Executive Director, Associate Alumnae of Douglass College

History of National Doctors Day

March 30, 1933, was the first observance of Doctors Day in Winder, Georgia. Dr. Charles B. Almond’s wife, Eudora Brown Almond, wanted to have a day to honor physicians. On that day, greeting cards were mailed and flowers placed on graves of deceased doctors.

The first ether anesthetic for surgery was administered by Crawford W. Long, M.D., on March 30, 1842, marking the date for Doctors Day. On that day, before Dr. Long operated to remove a tumor from a man’s neck, he administered ether anesthesia. Following surgery, the man said he felt nothing during surgery and was not aware until he awoke.

On February 21, 1991, President George H.W. Bush proclaimed National Doctors Day to honor the Nation’s physicians for their dedication and leadership. Today, hundreds of thousands of doctors lead the fight against disease and illness in the United States. They specialize and continue to seek advanced treatments and cures.

Now, more than ever, we are reminded of the importance of our alumnae community. Help keep ouralumnae community, the AADC, strong by supporting the AADC Annual Appeal. This appeal is not on behalf of NJC, DRC, Douglass or Rutgers. It supports the AADC’s mission of connecting and engaging all Douglass alumnae. www.douglassalumnae.org/MakeAGift