In 1933, the wife of a Georgia physician, Mrs. Eudora Brown Almond, wanted to recognize the contributions physicians made to their patients and their communities. She selected March 30 the anniversary of the first use of ether anesthesia during a surgery, as Doctors’ Day in Winder, Ga. Eighty-five years later Doctors’ Day is celebrated around the world.
The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society has worked hand-in-hand with our area physicians to improve the health and well-being of our community for 138 years. In its early years the Medical Society fought diseases like polio and promoted immunizations. It also worked to develop funding for local health departments and to establish the state medical board to ensure the education and professionalism of Tennessee physicians. Today, the Medical Society has been deeply engaged in our community fight against COVID-19. With its member physicians, the society is also tackling health issues like community hunger, the opioid crisis and childhood obesity. The Medical Society provides educational opportunities to young adults through programs such as Future Docs, introducing them to a career in medicine.
The Medical Society and its charitable arm, the Medical Foundation of Chattanooga, formed Project Access to provide health care to low-income uninsured Southeast Tennessee residents. Over the past 19 years, Project Access has coordinated more than $219 million of donated health care with the help of over 1,000 physicians, who provide their care free of charge, local hospital systems, and nearly two dozen other partner organizations.
As we celebrate Doctors’ Day 2023, we would like to thank our community for allowing us to care for them.
Richard Moody, MD
President, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society
James Haynes, MD
President, Medical Foundation of Chattanooga