Thursday, March 30 marks National Doctors’ Day, an opportunity we
take at Valley Health’s hospitals, Urgent Care centers, outpatient
surgery and medical practices to acknowledge and thank the physicians
whose expertise and involvement are essential to our organization’s
ability to fulfill our mission of “Serving Our Community by Improving
Health.”
The official National Doctors’ Day recognition honors the day in
1842 when Georgia surgeon and pharmacist, Dr. Crawford W. Long, first
used anesthesia in surgery. I think we all agree Dr. Long’s initiative
represented a significant breakthrough that has improved care for every
surgical patient over the last 175 years.
The more than 500 medical staff physicians affiliated with Valley Health’s
not-for-profit system of community hospitals, services and providers invest
their days and nights diagnosing, visiting and caring for individuals
and families throughout the region. They dedicate their unique training,
expertise and professionalism to help area residents feel better, live
healthier, and live better.
Valley Health affiliated physicians work around the clock in emergency
departments, other hospital departments, operating suites and board rooms
to ensure patients receive high quality, safe care and have the best possible
outcomes. Our affiliated physicians champion new patient safety initiatives,
support the larger clinical staff, and embrace initiatives to expand community
awareness about wellness and disease prevention.
On Thursday we pause to thank each of them for their dedicated service
to patients, our community and our health system.