Dr. Crawford W. Long first administered ether as an anesthetic for surgical purposes in Barrow County, Georgia, in 1842. A medical auxiliary in that state marked this historic even by honoring all local physicians in the inaugural Doctor’s Day celebration in 1933. As a national observance, Doctor’s Day was signed into law in 1990 by President George H. W. Bush with March 30 set aside as each year’s official day of physician recognition.

The Roanoke Valley Academy of Medical Alliance (RAMA) is celebrating National Doctor’s Day this year with a campaign to raise funds while honoring worthy physician providers by personal recognition. All funds collected during this campaign will be directed to Project Access of the Roanoke Valley. Project Access states its mission to be a “physician driven, community supported, patient-centered program which exists to arrange and coordinate comprehensive healthcare services for the low-income uninsured in our area.” This nonprofit, local organization has been able to offer close to $16 of care for each $1 spent on its programs. There are 502 local participating physicians and dentists who have become involved in offering free-of-charge care to more than 1,600 qualified, eligible persons in the valley between the ages of 19 – 64.

Reasons for honoring the doctors in your lives are many and varied. Do you have a family member or neighbor who is a physician and would appreciate being honored on National Doctor’s Day? Has your family’s physician made an uncomfortable diagnosis easier to understand and address? Is your doctor retiring and you’d care to mark a career of excellent dedication by saying “Thank You”? Does your physician focus on you or a loved one so there exists a special connection that fosters positive results and continuity of care? Have you been assisted in making better and healthier choices in your lifestyle by an attentive physician? Was an emergency room, urgent care, or surgical experience made more pleasant not only by the talents but also by the attitude of they physician? The list can continue with many more reasons to offer these doctors a show of support.

You can participate in RAMA’s campaign to raise funds for Project Access of the Roanoke Valley while paying tribute to the exceptional health care practiced by those physicians in your lives. Send checks made payable to “Project Access” to Karen Johnson, 5814 Cavalier Drive, Roanoke, VA 24018, by March 21st and note in the memo section the name(s) of the physician(s) you are honoring; include the mailing address of your honoree(s). In exchange for your contribution, RAMA will send a Certificate of Acknowledgement to your honored designee(s) as a notification of your donation in his or her name and in support of our worthy, local organization.

-Submitted by Karen Johnson, RAMA, Doctor’s Day Organizer

If you have any questions you may direct them to Karen Johnson at kljrama@yahoo.com.

For more information about RAMA visit their website at http://ramaroundup.blogspot.com/.

For more information about Project Access of the Roanoke Valley visit www.projectaccessroanoke.org