National Doctor’s Day is Saturday, March 30, and it is my privilege to serve as a guest author for On The Mark.
Doctor’s Day provides an opportune moment to reflect on the significance of the medical profession and the extraordinary dedication of those who serve within it. As a physician leader, I continue to be inspired by the tireless efforts of my colleagues, whose commitment to healing and compassion certainly shapes the fabric of our health care system.
Doctor’s Day is a reminder of the responsibility we bear and the privilege we hold in caring for our patients. Regardless of the area in which you serve, it is a high honor to have a patient trust you to the extent that they will allow you to perform an operation or make life-changing or life-saving decisions for them and their families. So few people have that privilege and we should never get complacent with that.
Every day, physicians make difficult decisions and extend empathy to those in need. It’s a calling that demands resilience, expertise and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of our patients. And we must always remember that when our patient comes first, everything else will fall into place.
In today’s rapidly evolving health care landscape, the role of the physician is more complex than ever before. We are not only clinicians but also leaders, advocates and innovators. We navigate intricate systems, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and champion advancements in medical science. For me, helping people prepare to be their best selves is what it’s all about. Witnessing talent and helping guide and mentor a physician’s career is incredibly inspiring. And innovating new therapies, developing new treatments and writing new medical books, rather than just reading them — that is what continues to drive me.
In my role, I am acutely aware of the importance of fostering a culture of support and empowerment within our medical community, and at Texas Children’s, our physicians truly take care of that culture. I am proud that we promote and embody a culture of yes — meaning we are dedicated to doing all we can and saying yes to every scenario to ultimately help our patients thrive. In the same breath, however, we must also remember to prioritize physician well-being, recognizing that our ability to care for others is linked to our own physical and emotional health and well-being.
On this Doctor’s Day, I hope we can all take a moment to reflect back on why we entered this field in the first place. I know I speak for many of you when I say that we came into medicine to help other people. This has been your life and your calling. As someone who is many years into their medical career, I leave you with this: enjoy every moment because one day it will come to an end. Even when the days are long and even when it’s difficult, you still always have the opportunity to learn something.
Happy Doctor’s Day to my fellow physicians. May we continue to serve with humility, empathy and unwavering dedication.
Michael A. Belfort, MD, PhD
Texas Children’s Obstetrician/Gynecologist-in-Chief
Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine
Doctor Belfort,
Thank you for your kind and inspiring words. Words are not enough to describe the immensities of doctors’ responsibilities. I always say to clinicians, you are co-laborers with God in saving lives, and you stand shoulder to shoulder with religious clergies. Through these two groups, God extends the lives of people and give them better chances at life. The doctors help to treat and mend broken bodies, the clergies help to treat and mend broken souls and spirits, then God comes along both the doctors and the clergies and bestows his healing power and blessings on their works.
Doctors deserve our most fervent prayers as they are humans and come under tremendous pressures, and are often heart-broken when the outcomes are far from their expectations in spite of their best efforts and dedication. Doctors wear many hats and thus, deserve our committed daily prayers to overcome depression, to be physically strong, mentally sound, and spiritually awake, in order to bring the same wholeness in them to bear on the whole-person treatments that patients deserve.
Doctors deserve honor and respect from family members who know little about sickness and medical remedies, by not forcing their naïve opinions on the treatment process and demand them to do things that are against medical procedures out of their desperation for a miracle. Doctors’ lives are important and should be revered as sacred gifts from their creator, so that no one comes after them because of a contrary medical outcome expected by family members. The 11th commandment should read, ” Thou shall not take the life of a doctors because they are messengers of God to save life.” May God bless and protect our doctors on their special day – March 30th, Doctor’s Day.
For Doctor’s Day, Dr. Belfort writes eloquently from a wealth of experience. I sent it to my oldest son who is starting his medical residency this summer. Thank you for a truly inspirational message.
Happy Doctor’s Day to our amazing team of physicians! We are grateful for your dedication and commitment to the patients and families at TCH.
Happy Doctor’s Day. Thank you for everything you do to help all of our patients and their families.
Teresa Aldape, LMSW
Texas Children’s Hospital
Immunology, Allergy and Retrovirology Section
Happy Doctor’s Day to all of our passionate and dedicated physicians. Thank you for your commitment to exceptional quality and safe care for patients and families. Thank you for your resilience and support of interdisciplinary colleagues and one another. I wish for you today to be reminded of the immense impact you make daily on the lives of many and that you feel rejuvenated and honored.
Happy Doctor’s Day to our incredible physicians! Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to helping patients and families. Your tireless efforts, expertise, and empathy make an indelible impact on countless lives, inspiring hope and fostering resilience. Thank you for all that you do!
Dear Dr. Belfort,
Happy Doctor’s Day to you!!!
Thank you for all you do for the Pavilion for Women staff, TCH and all women and babies around the world. I love that you never stop learning, traveling the world for us; learning new things to help all women and bringing that knowledge back to a little hospital in Houston. So proud to know you. You are still my favorite OIC. 🙂
Thank you for inspiring us all everyday!
We love you!
Shala Wala
I’m a couple of days late, but thank you Dr. Belfort and our entire medical staff for all you do for our patients, families and the entire Texas Children’s system. We are a world-class organization largely due to your expertise and commitment.
Dear Dr. Belfort,
Having been the spouse of one of your patients, I can attest that you exemplify the qualities you described and built an amazing team who does the same. Happy Doctor’s Day!
With gratitude,
Rodrigo Silva, MD