Last Updated on September 22, 2023 by Luke Feldbrugge
The opportunity to say thank you doctors comes around once a year or year round, depending on how you feel. Of course, if you feel better and that’s because of a doctor, showing your gratitude doesn’t always come naturally. So here are a few ideas to let the doctor who has used their training and expertise to assist you or someone you care about.
Everyone has a story of a good doctor, a physician who came through for them or their family members. And health is a very personal matter, so those who help preserve it earn a special place in our hearts.
National Doctor’s Day – Thank You Doctors!
On a national level, there is a day dedicated to showing doctors your appreciation. On March 30th of every year, the U.S. celebrates National Doctor’s Day. The idea 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 – March 30, 1842.
You can do something individually on that day, but you could also organize an appreciation lunch for the doctors at your office, hospital or clinic. Your local Rotary Club might want to get on board with this too, making it a community event that will drive home how much the doctors mean to everyone.
On a more decentralized level, members of your community could all contribute video clips of themselves thanking great physicians. Someone could compile those and send them on to your local physicians on National Doctors Day.
Remember: red carnations are the official flower for National Doctors’ Day.
Small is Better When Saying Thank You Doctors
It might be tempting to go big with your thanks if a hardworking doctor has affected your life and family in a wonderfully dramatic way. Maybe he or she has healed your child or saved your spouse. You want to do something significant to thank them.
Just remember that most doctors and medical workers have ethical limits regarding accepting gifts. In terms of thank you gifts, small is always better. Think flowers over a Porsche.
7 Ideas to Say Thank You Doctors
When it comes to expressing gratitude to our doctors, the sheer weight of their contributions can leave us wondering what to do or say. From the focused precision of a surgeon to the attentive care of a general practitioner, our doctor’s role in preserving and enhancing our well-being is invaluable. While a simple ‘thank you’ is always appreciated, sometimes, we might wish to go a step further to show our appreciation. Whether through tasty treats, heartfelt handwritten notes, or even charitable acts, there are small but meaningful ways to convey our gratitude. Here are eight thoughtful ideas to help you say “thank you” to the medical professionals who’ve impacted your life.
1) Food Gifts
Almost everyone enjoys food – even physicians. Sending food as a thank you can be a nice gesture for a doctor and the whole team of healthcare workers. It can be snacks or donuts or coffee or chocolate, whatever you think the staff might like. Having it in the break room can be a real day brightener that can last throughout the day. Doctors can be very busy and forget to eat, so healthy snacks may be just the thing for the physicians you want to thank.
Fruit basket
Speaking of healthy, a fruit basket can be both an elegant and nutritious way to show appreciation to physicians. In fact, most gift baskets say thank you in a very attractive and delicious way. No need to go overboard, however, on spending a lot. Simple is always better.
Baked goods
Nothing says “thank you from the bottom of our hearts” like making something with your own hands, and baked goods do double duty. First, they are delicious. Second, they are personal. If you have a specialty, like sourdough bread or exotic desserts, that extra effort will be noticed. However, a pan full of brownies or tray of chocolate chip cookies can show appreciation for your doctors just as effectively.
Coffee Cards
Food is a great show of appreciation, but coffee is vital to the long hours worked by health professionals, especially physicians. That’s why a coffee gift card will always get used. Find the coffee shop (chain or independent) that’s closest to the clinic, office or hospital, and get the card from there. Those cards show your gratitude for their hard work with every sip.
2) Handmade Gift
If you have a hobby, that may be the best way to send a thank you to the doctors in your life. If you crochet, knit, paint, do pottery, or any other hobbies, you can probably think of a fitting thank you gift. The best things about hobby-based gifts is their personal and they likely last, so they serve as a constant reminder for your doctor that their efforts are/were appreciated.
3) Say Thank You Doctors on Message Boards
Most large hospitals or healthcare organizations have online message boards to express your gratitude for a doctor’s excellent care. This is a more visible, public way to thank your doctor. A thank you note is great, but they can pile up over time. With online thank yous, they can stay front-and-center and storage isn’t a problem. This benefits both the doctors and the organizations that they work for.
4) Social Media
If you are on social media, you know how easy it is to thank a doctor for their best care in a very visible way. A photo or a video can tell everyone in your circle that a doctor has had a profound effect on your life.
Physicians can be very private individuals, so there is a good chance your doctor isn’t following you on Facebook or Instagram, so make a copy of the post and send it to them. If you are using CaringBridge to document the journey of yourself or a loved one, that’s a natural place to talk about what a remarkable doctor has done for you, and it’s a great way to express your appreciation. Again, send them a copy of the post so they know it’s out there.
5) Flowers
Flowers always get noticed when they arrive in a clinic or office. It’s a great way to show appreciation for an awesome doctor. As we mentioned before, red carnations are established as the flower for National Doctors’ Day.
6) Make a Donation to Charity
Sending some money to a charity that your doctor feels strongly about is another way to show appreciation. You could donate to the American Heart Association, or the American Cancer Society or another health related research charity. Maybe you know your doctor has a preferred charity (hint: the nurses probably know). When you donate in their name, the organization will contact your physician about the gift. This is a great way to say thank you as well wanting to help further the health of others.
7) Thank You Note to Doctor
It’s old fashioned, it’s low-tech and it might seem hopelessly outdated, but the simple words of a thank you note to a doctor should not be underestimated. Taking the time to say a personal thank you, in writing, can have a great deal of emotional impact. In the note, you can be specific and really express your feelings of gratitude for the amazing doctor. It’s a simple concept, but it’s anything but easy to truly express yourself and your gratitude. And, showing that gratitude for your health or the health of someone you love can be a real tear jerker.
No Time Limit to Say Thank You
When you are in the midst of a health crisis, or just recovering from a difficult time, you might not have the time or energy to send a thank you right away. That’s Ok, there is no time limit. Don’t let “time passed” talk you out of expressing thanks to your doctors or physicians. It’s always a good time to say thank you to healthcare professionals who have made a huge difference in your healing process, or for someone you care for.
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