Each October 23rd, Mexico commemorates Day of the Doctor.
Day of the Doctor dates back to the year 1833 when it was established as a tribute to Dr. Valentín Gómez Farías, who was also a Jaliscan senator who later became president of Mexico. Today a commemorative event was held headed by the Centennial Medical Society of Guadalajara, presenting a plaque in recognition of professionals in the medical field for their dedicated service in Jalisco, with special regard considering the pandemic situation.
The current president of the Centennial Medical Society, Guillermo González Solís, highlighted the impact of the pandemic that is still going on and the relevance of adapting to it; “as health professionals we never imagined that we would go through a situation like this. The work of the doctor implies sacrifices of personal time to dedicate it to our vocation. All our dedication since we studied this profession today seems to bear these fruits; thank you all for your professionalism.”
Founded back in 1838, the Centennial Medical Society is one of the longest-lived and highest in numbers nationwide, with active professionals in academic as well as research areas.
Rafel Santana Ortiz, Director of the Fray Antonio Alcalde Civil Hospital and president of the Jalisco Medical Association, thanked his colleagues and stressed the importance of the medical career in society; “all professions are transcendent, however that of the doctor is preponderant because it is about safeguarding the health of their environment. If a person is not healthy their objectives are hindered, and from the Jalisco Medical Association we thank them for their work and professionalism.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, a minute of silence was passed in honor of the professionals who lost their lives attending others during the pandemic.
Fernando Petersen Aranguren, State Secretary of Health, expressed his gratitude to the Jaliscan health professionals for being on the forefront of patient care, in the most vulnerable position; “every day of the year this monument reminds us of the importance of medical work… some of our colleagues gave their lives in the exercise of the profession in this pandemic honorably helping others.”
Aranguren added that the medical vocation is a profession that allows you to help every day, and sent a thank you to all the doctors for their effort to help their patients.
To view more photos from the event, visit the website: