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AMA celebrates National Doctor's Day

For immediate release
March 28, 2008

CHICAGO -- The American Medical Association (AMA) honors the more than 900,000 physicians in the U.S. on National Doctor’s Day, March 30, for their commitment to the nation’s health. On this day of tribute, Americans can express appreciation for physicians continued commitment to providing exceptional medical care.

“By choice or by chance, each of us may find that because of a caring physician our lives have been profoundly improved,” said AMA President, Dr. Ronald M. Davis, MD. “National Doctor’s Day is an opportunity to recognize these physicians – the ones who have helped us remain healthy through immunizations, screenings, and other means.”

During the course of nearly one billion patient visits annually, Americas’ physicians are called to be skilled healers, trusted confidants and patient advocates.

An AMA study shows that two-thirds of U.S. physicians provide some form of charity care each year in their communities, and doctors were ranked the nation’s most trusted occupation in a 2006 Harris Poll.

Physicians have made great strides in treating the sick, alleviating human suffering and advancing medical knowledge. During this day of tribute, the AMA reflects on the health care accomplishments in which physicians have played a key roll:

• 90 percent of patients say they are very satisfied with their physician.
• 7-year increase in life expectancy since 1960.
• 45 percent decrease in the overall death rate since 1950.
• 77 percent decrease in the infant mortality rate since 1950.
• 63 percent decrease in the overall death rate for heart disease since 1950.
• 72 percent decrease in the overall death rate for stroke since 1950.
• 14 percent decrease in overall death rates for cancer since 1990.

President George Bush signed a resolution in 1990 designating March 30 as National Doctor’s Day. It was first observed in 1933 as a local celebration in Barrow County, Georgia, to commemorate the date on which Crawford W. Long, M.D., administered the first ether anesthetic for surgery (March 30, 1842). The red carnation has become the symbol of Doctors’ Day because it denotes the qualities of love, charity, sacrifice, bravery, and courage.

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For more information, please contact:

Leah Dudowicz
AMA Media Relations
(312) 464-4813

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