In honor of National Doctor’s Day, the medical staff at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital donated $5,000 to Horizons Community Solutions, Inc.

“The Doctors Day donation has become an annual tradition that we look forward to each Doctors Day. We are blessed to have a medical staff that believes this is the best way to celebrate– by giving back to the community which has trusted them over the years to provide great care,” said Suresh Lakhanpal, MD, Phoebe Physicians CEO.

Cynthia George, Chief Executive Officer of Horizons Community Solutions, said the funds will be used to expand access to health screenings. “Phoebe has been a great community partner for decades, and we appreciate the medical staff’s generosity on a day that honors them. This donation will help us continue our work of helping those who need health screenings and navigate the healthcare process,” added George. 

The children at Phoebe’s Family Tree Child Development Center made cards thanking physicians for taking care of the community. Doctors were also treated to some sweet treats throughout the day in the physician lounge. 

National Doctors Day can be traced back to March 30, 1933, when it was first observed in Winder, Georgia. It was originally started by Eudora Brown Almond, the wife of a prominent doctor, who wanted to create a day just for recognizing and honoring doctors. Mrs. Almond chose March because it was on that date in 1842, that Dr. Crawford W. Long used an ether anesthetic for the first-time during surgery. Doctors Day was officially recognized by Congress through a proclamation in 1991.