Doctor's Day, March 30, 2005

A History of Doctors' Day
Doctors' Day began on March 30, 1933 when Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Cha Almond of Winder, Georgia decided to observe the anniversary of the first use of general anesthetic in surgery. This first surgery incorporating sulfuric ether was used by Dr. Crawford Long from Barrow County, Georgia to remove a tumor from a patient's neck for the first time on March 30, 1842.

The Barrow County Medical Society Auxiliary proclaimed the day - March 30, 1933 to be 'Doctor's Day'. Cards were sent to the physicians and their wives and flowers were placed on the graves of deceased doctors, including Dr. Long.

In 1940 the U. S. Postal Department honored Dr. Long with a commemorative stamp. The United States House of Representatives adopted a resolution commemorating Doctors' Day on March 30, 1958. Legislation was introduced in the House and Senate to establish a National Doctors' Day in 1990. With overwhelming approval by the House and Senate, then-President George Bush, Sr. signed a resolution designating March 30 'National Doctors' Day'.

The staffs of Logan Regional Medical Center and Guyan Valley Hospital want to thank all of our Physicians for their continued dedication and loyalty to our hospitals and to our community.