K 269: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 30, 2025, as Doctors' Day in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 269 BY: M. of A. Eachus MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 30, 2025, as Doctors' Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days that are set aside to recognize certain professionals who affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 30, 2025, as Doctors' Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Doctors' Day; and WHEREAS, The annual observance of Doctors' Day provides an opportunity for the people of the Empire State to recognize the vital contributions of physicians who practice in communities large and small throughout New York State; and WHEREAS, The idea for National Doctors' Day came from Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, and the date chosen was the anniversary of the first use of general anesthesia in surgery which was performed on March 30, 1842, in Jefferson, Georgia, by Dr. Crawford Long who used ether to anesthetize a patient; and WHEREAS, On March 28, 1933, the first Doctors' Day was observed in Winder, Georgia, with cards mailed to the physicians and their wives, flowers were placed on graves of deceased doctors, including Dr. Long, and a formal dinner was held at the home of Dr. and Mrs. William T. Randolph; and WHEREAS, After the Barrow County Alliance adopted Eudora Brown Almond's resolution to pay tribute to the doctors, the plan was presented to the Georgia State Medical Alliance in 1933, by Mrs. E. R. Harris of Winder, president of the Barrow County Alliance; and WHEREAS, On May 10, 1934, the resolution was adopted at the annual state meeting in Augusta, Georgia, and was introduced to the Women's Alliance of the Southern Medical Association at its 29th annual meeting held in St. Louis, Missouri; and WHEREAS, During the 101st United States Congress, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed S.J. RES. No. 366, which former President Bush signed on October 30, 1990, thereby creating Public Law 101-473, designating Doctors' Day as a national holiday to be celebrated on March 30th; and WHEREAS, Years later, Dr. Marion Mass along with Dr. Kimberly Jackson and Dr. Christina Lang applied to officially have physicians day changed to physicians week, which was accepted in March of 2017; and WHEREAS, In 2017, Physicians Working Together (PWT) sponsored a series of articles in observance of National Physicians week which were hosted on KevinMD; and WHEREAS, The following year, PWT along with Openxmed sponsored a free online conference focusing on physician well-being and support, and in 2019, these two vital organizations funded a scholarship program for medical students and residents; and WHEREAS, Today, we continue to celebrate medical advances like using ether anesthesia and thank all doctors everywhere who have spent so much time and energy mastering their respective field of expertise; and WHEREAS, It is appropriate for the citizens of New York State to recognize that the quality of life in the communities across this great State of New York is enriched by the diligence and compassionate commitment of those individuals whose singular purpose is the care and welfare of others; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 30, 2025, as Doctors' Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.