Impact Stories

1000 Notes of Gratitude on Doctors’ Day

Doctors want to know if their patients experience compassion, respect and caring from them as well as receiving the best care possible. They got their wish on Doctors’ Day 2017 when more than 1,000 personal notes were sent to Virginia Mason physicians. They read these wonderful words:

• “I feel so fortunate to have you as my doctor!”
• “You gave me hope.”
• “Thank you for caring.”
• “You saved my life.”
• “Without your expert care, I wouldn’t be alive today.”

The notes were highly appreciated by doctors. “When they tell me thank you, I think that is why I wanted to become a doctor, being there for someone,” says Paul Kassab, MD, FACP.

Making a Tribute
During Doctors’ Day, celebrated on March 30, people could also make a tribute donation to honor their physician. In 2017, 853 donors raised $72,700 to support Virginia Mason departments and programs.

Every department and service area at Virginia Mason is improved by gifts from patients and friends who value physicians individual care and Virginia Mason’s dedication to health and healing. Since 2012, Doctors’ Day at Virginia Mason has:

• Engaged 4,266 patients and donors
• Honored more than 511 physicians and care providers
• Raised more than $339,000 for medical center programs, departments and services

Tributes to physicians and other health care providers can be made at any time. For more information, visit: www.VirginiaMasonFoundation.org/memorial-and-tribute-gifts.