Honoring Our Physicians on National Doctor’s Day – Sunday, March 30

Each year on March 30, the United States celebrates National Doctor’s Day, a time to recognize the invaluable contributions of physicians who dedicate their lives to caring for their patients, strengthening communities and advancing health care.

With over one million physicians practicing across the country, becoming a doctor requires years of rigorous education and training. The journey begins with four years of undergraduate studies, followed by four years of medical school. Afterward, doctors complete three to five years of residency in their chosen specialty, with some pursuing an additional one to three years of fellowship training to become sub-specialists.

Doctors earn one of two equivalent degrees: Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). Throughout their training, they face demanding schedules, often working 80-hour weeks with overnight shifts, all while upholding the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and patient care.

Physicians specialize in a wide range of fields, from primary care—including family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics—to surgical specialties, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and more. In fact, there are over 100 medical specialties and sub-specialties in the U.S. Of all specialties, family medicine sees the highest number of patients during office visits, playing a crucial role in community healthcare.

On this National Doctor’s Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to our Health Partnership Clinic physicians  – Drs. Emily M. Bush, Cheri El-Halawany, Kelly Kreisler, Chief Health Officer, Kare Lyche and Noriko Okahara. Your dedication, hard work, and compassion make a profound difference in the lives of our patients and the community.

Thank you for all that you do!