March 30 is National Doctors' Day

  • Published
  • By Tim Flack
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  March 30 is National Doctors' Day - an opportunity to celebrate those who've dedicated their lives to keeping you healthy and treating you when you get sick.

The very first observance dates back to March 30, 1933, in Winder, Ga., according to the National Doctors' Day Organization. On March 30, 1958, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted a resolution for the day and it was introduced to the House and Senate in 1990.

Then-President George Bush signed Proclamation 6253 in 1991, officially designating the day.

Lt. Col. Ruggeri, 319th Medical Group Health Care Integrator at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., said the celebration is important to the medical community, including those who've taken the extra step of pledging to defend their country in uniform.

"Physicians spend long days and nights burning the midnight oil, their duty day goes way beyond a typical duty day," Ruggeri said. Military physicians - in every area of practice from neurology to orthopedics, flight medicine to pediatrics - work around the clock every day of the year to ensure the military population's needs are met, she said.

"Often we don't know all the behind-the-scenes work that a physician must tend to in order to meet the needs of his patients," she said. "It is hard work and often unacknowledged.

"When patients say 'thank you,' a doctor's day is made," she said. "The laughter, smiles and tears mean the most to this very special professional - the doctor."

She said that military medicine is unique in that the active duty, family members and retirees are privileged to get such great care from the best trained physicians in the world.

"March 30 is a day to recognize physicians for their selfless acts and dedication to serve and to say 'thank you for your service,'" she said.

Military medicine was highlighted in the presidential proclamation, which reads, in part:

"As we recognize our Nation's physicians for their leadership in the prevention and treatment of illness and injury, it is fitting that we pay special tribute to those who serve as members of the Armed Forces and Reserves and are now deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm. Whether they carry the tools of healing into the heat of battle or stand duty at medical facilities in the Persian Gulf and elsewhere, these dedicated physicians -- along with thousands of nurses and other medical personnel -- are vital to the success of our mission. We salute them for their courage and sacrifice, and we pray for their safety. We also pray for all those who come in need of their care."