March 30th is officially considered National Doctors’ Day in the U.S. It’s a day that has been designated by our government in an effort to celebrate the many doctors who work each year to help people in need. And there are a lot of them. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are nearly 700,000 physicians and surgeons in the country. This March 30th, it’s a good idea to think about the many people we turn to when in need.
“For all types of doctors, including those who specialize in homeopathic treatments, it’s a great idea to recognize them on this special day,” explains Dr. Edward Kondrot, founder of the Healing The Eye & Wellness Center and the clinical director of Integrative Medicine of the American Medical College of Homeopathy. “Most people are not even aware this special day exists. It’s great to shed some light on so many health professionals.”
Here are 5 facts about National Doctors’ Day:
- First observation. The first recorded observation of the day was held on March 30, 1933 in Georgia. The first celebrations included the mailing of greeting cards.
- Official law. In 1958, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution recognizing National Doctors’ Day. It was officially signed into law, however, by President George Bush, making the first official celebration of it on March 30, 1991.
- Recognized elsewhere. America is not the only place that has a day marked for celebrating doctors. Other countries that observe it at various times throughout the year include Cuba, Iran, India, and Vietnam.
- Celebrations vary. The ways that people celebrate the day vary, with some people still opting for greeting cards, while others hang posters, write letters to the editor, hold a banquet, send notes of appreciation, or find their own way to recognize their doctor on that day.
- Recognition. While there are plenty of famous doctor names people recognize and celebrate, such as Jonas Salk or Dr. Oz, the day is about celebrating all doctors. Both those names we recognize nationwide and those we don’t all make an impact on society and deserve to be recognized on this day.
“This would be a great day to take a moment and write your doctor a note or send them a small token of appreciation for all they do for you,” adds Dr. Kondrot. “Often times, people don’t think of their doctor until they are not feeling well. No matter how you are feeling today, it’s a great time to recognize your doctor.”
Dr. Kondrot is the author of three best-selling books, including “10 Essentials to Save Your Sight” (Advantage Media Group, July 2012), and president of the Arizona Homeopathic and Integrative Medical Association. He has founded the Healing The Eye & Wellness Center, located just north of Tampa, Fla., which offers alternative and homeopathic routes to vision therapies known as the “Kondrot Program.” The program focuses on such conditions as macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye, cataracts, and others. His advanced programs have helped people from around the world restore their vision. The center sits on 50 acres of land and features a 14,000-square-foot state-of-the-art complex, an organic ranch, jogging trails, swimming pool, hot tub, and more. For more information, visit www.healingtheeye.com.