Thoughts from Our Leader
Each year on March 30, our country celebrates National Doctors’ Day. As we reflect on the last two years, it is clear that the pandemic has been especially challenging for our heroic doctors, nurses, and care teams who have put aside their own fears to serve on the front lines. One day just doesn’t feel like enough to express our appreciation for their commitment to us.
Last year, nearly 12,000 donors made a gift to honor Sutter Health physicians in the Bay Area and those gestures are deeply felt by the honorees. Our doctors have shown resilience to keep our patients and their families safe. They’ve demonstrated flexibility in fulfilling needs they might never have anticipated, such as dermatologists and neurosurgeons joining quick-strike teams to build drive-through respiratory care clinics, erect mass vaccination sites, and bring vaccinations into underserved communities. Now, as patients return for care in more normal volumes and the trajectory of the pandemic heads toward a more manageable endemic state, our healthcare teams have not even had a chance to pause and catch their collective breath.
It is in reflection of this tremendous heroism that we honor Doctors’ Day. As a not-for-profit healthcare network, we are here to serve all Bay Area communities. The generosity of donors who honor their caregivers on Doctors’ Day—and throughout the year—make this possible. Enjoy this video to see these heroes in action.
Gratitude abounds when we celebrate Doctors’ Day. After the experience of this pandemic, those of us who work in philanthropy have a new perspective on just what an honor it is to see our patients celebrate our mighty doctors and we thank you for your partnership.
Raya Elias-Petros
Vice President of Philanthropy
Sutter Health Bay Area
