When Eudora Brown Almond, the wife of a prominent Georgian doctor, began commemorating National Doctors’ Day in 1933, who knew that it would perhaps be more relevant today than it was 87 years ago? It started simply enough: Eudora wanted to create a day to recognize and honor doctors. She selected March 30 because, on that day in 1842, Dr. Crawford W. Long used ether as an anesthetic for the first time during surgery – truly a game changer in the world of medicine.

We all know that doctors work tirelessly as health care providers, researchers and scientists to bring patients around the world the best care possible. They help us navigate through all of life’s illnesses, from the simple to the complex, and the ones that affect us physically and emotionally.

Today, as the world combats the global COVID-19 pandemic, we take this time to honor and thank physicians for their work and for the many sacrifices they make to care for their patients. We also acknowledge all health care professionals who find themselves at the front-line of this unprecedented challenge. They go to work every day when many of us are asked to stay home, and for that we are grateful.

So, from Cigna, and on behalf of our customers and patients, thank you for your work against COVID-19. Thank you for your compassionate care. Thank you for the work you’re doing now and have always done to help patients live their healthiest lives.