HJNO May/Jun 2021

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  MAY / JUN 2021 53 Juan Gershanik, MD Co-President Medical Association of Southeast Louisiana Ad Hoc Committee. This committee will focus on the challenges particular to ac- ademic medicine physicians and physi- cians-in-training as a means to advocate for them. Any interested physicians, med- ical students or residents may get involved by joining MASELA at www.masela.org/ join. Another national week of celebration and recognition was Doctors’ Day held each year on March 30. It is a day to cel- ebrate the contribution of physicians who serve our country by caring for patients. The first observance of Doctor’s Day was in 1933 in Georgia. The wife of a physi- cian, Charles B. Almond, MD, led an initia- tive to recognize and honor physicians. On March 30, 1958, a Resolution Commem- orating Doctors’ Day was adopted by the United States House of Representatives. In 1990, legislation was introduced in the House and Senate to establish a nation- al Doctor’s Day. Following overwhelming approval by the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, on Oct. 30, 1990, President George Bush signed S.J. RES. #366 (which became Public Law 101- 473) designating March 30th as “National Doctor’s Day.” It is tradition for hospitals, medical practices and medical associations to hold events to recognize physicians and to cele- brate certain milestones in practice. Many organizations host lunches and present physicians with red carnations, which is the symbol of Doctors’ Day. Understand- ably, this year, much of the in-person events were limited. MASELA recognized physicians by communicating our appreciation to more than 2,500 physicians throughout the re- gion. Also, MASELA initiated its Proud to Be a Physician Campaign for members of the organization. Physicians are encour- aged to share their stories about what be- ing a physician means to them and partic- ular patients or extraordinary moments that made them reflect positively on their decision to become a physician. Physi- cians who wish to share their stories may scan the QR code at the end of this article. These submissions will be considered for publication on the association’s website and in its publication. Being a physician today requires per- sonal sacrifice. In a world of many career alternatives, unique individuals dedicate themselves to choosing the medical pro- fession, caring for patients, being at their bedsides and being with them from the be- ginning of life until the end. Being a phy- sician is a special calling unlike any other. I am grateful to my country of origin, Ar- gentina, for providing my free medical ed- ucation and to the U.S. for the opportunity of practicing this noble profession under some of the best conditions that anyone could ask. As a neonatologist, I cherish the trust and confidence that families place in me to take care of their precious newborns. Furthermore, their expressions of appre- ciation after parents take their children home from the hospital are a major source of fulfillment and happiness that is hard to express in words. I receive frequent fol- low-up reports, coupled with invitations to family events, birthdays, graduations and weddings. MASELA is proud to represent physi- cians and physicians-in-training and wel- comes their engagement in our organi- zation, which is dedicated to enhancing the environment in which we practice so that we can provide optimal care to our patients. I am proud to be a physician and the co-president of MASELA, which is fo- cused on celebrating physicians each and every day. For more information about MASELA, go to www.masela.org. n