SGH celebrates ‘Doctor’s Day’

EATING HEALTHY — The American Baptist Women of Sistersville First Baptist Church served chicken and baked steak to the doctors and guest at Sistersville General Hospital’s National Doctor’s Day celebration. The ladies catered the dinner.
Hospitals and offices across the nation celebrated National Doctor’s Day March 30, and Sistersville General Hospital was no exception.
Brandon Chadock, SGH Medical Services Coordinator, organized SGH’s National Doctor’s Day celebration.
“National Doctor’s Day celebrates the commitment and dedication of each provider,” said Chadock. “It reaffirms our appreciation for the difference they are making in the lives we serve together.”
Several physicians were on hand Monday for a luncheon hosted by SGH in their honor at the Thrasher Administration Center. The American Baptist Women of Sistersville First Baptist Church catered the event. Doctors and guests feasted on their choice of chicken or baked steak, green beans, baked potatoes, and hot rolls.
“We were truly blessed by these Christian women demonstrating their appreciation for the healers in our community,” remarked Chadock.

APPRECIATION —- Sistersville General Hospital CFO Patricia Burdette and Doctors Amanda and Gary Nichols have a good time at the SGH National Doctor’s Day celebration. Doctors were treated to lunch, sundaes and cake, cards, banners, and were given portable folding chairs.
SGH CEO Brian Lowther recently became even more thankful for the work of doctors after his wife gave birth to their second child.
“As someone who four weeks ago had a physician deliver my baby, sometimes I don’t realize how appreciative I am for what they provide us,” said Lowther. “For that, for healing, for caring for our patients in the community, thank you.”
Several banners were displayed across the hospital honoring doctors. Employees also signed a giant thank you card, leaving kind words for the doctors to see.
“There is no other profession on this planet that allows you to be a healer, listener, teacher, friend, pastor, giver, receiver, and loving individual all rolled into one,” wrote SGH CFO Patricia Burdette. “Every time you put that stethoscope around your neck you become that individual. We thank you for all this and more.”
“Aside from the banners, posters, and giant thank you card that decorated the facility, SGH has proudly added a display of physician’s photos which were eloquently highlighted by a carnation creation donated by Barbara Frum of Floral Expressions,” added Chadock.
All of the attention touched Amanda Nichols, MD, who operates a family practice at the hospital. She said it’s nice to be reminded how much the community cares.
“I don’t think we feel forgotten, but it’s just nice to feel that we’re appreciated,” said Nichols. “It’s a privilege to serve the people of this community.”
The first Doctor’s Day observance was March 30, 1933, in Winder, Ga. Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, decided to set aside a day to honor physicians. This first observance included the mailing of greeting cards and placing flowers on graves of deceased doctors. The red carnation is commonly used as the symbolic flower for National Doctor’s Day.
On March 30, 1958, a Resolution Commemorating Doctors’ Day was adopted by the United States House of Representatives. In 1990, legislation was introduced in the House and Senate to establish a national Doctor’s Day. Following overwhelming approval by the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, on Oct. 30, 1990, President George Bush signed S.J. RES. #366 (which became Public Law 101-473) designating March 30th as “National Doctor’s Day.”
Many don’t realize the sacrifice that doctors make, especially in regards to money. Doctors often spend most of their working lives paying off their student loans from college and medical school. The National Doctors’ Day Organization exists to raise awareness of the growing costs of medical school and the financial burden that exists for today’s graduates.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, new medical school graduates reported higher debt upon graduation and concern for the increasing demands of the health care system. Results from their 2008 AAMC Graduate Questionnaire (GQ) showed graduates reported 17.7 percent of graduates had educational loans of $200,000 or more-more than triple the 4.9 percent who had that amount in 2004. Students reported an average debt load of $141,751, more than $10,000 higher than 2007 GQ data.” Among the more moving results from this survey, is that students showed more interest in primary care specialties and in working with needy and vulnerable populations.
The National Doctors’ Day Organization was developed to support the Medical Scholarship Fund for the University of Alabama at Birmingham. For more information call 800-849-1727 or e-mail info@doctorsday.org.
- APPRECIATION —- Sistersville General Hospital CFO Patricia Burdette and Doctors Amanda and Gary Nichols have a good time at the SGH National Doctor’s Day celebration. Doctors were treated to lunch, sundaes and cake, cards, banners, and were given portable folding chairs.