The
Committee on Communications had an idea. It was
1991, and during a discussion by committee members
regarding plans for the coming year, it was mentioned
that March 30, 1992, would mark the sesquicentennial
of the first use of ether as an anesthetic for surgery
by Crawford W. Long, M.D., in Jefferson, Georgia.
A notable feat indeed, but one that many of ASA’s
own members did not connect with the reason why
Doctors Day had been celebrated for many years.
The reason all doctors were honored by their hospitals,
auxiliaries/alliances, fellow health care workers
and the community was based on a historic ANESTHESIA-RELATED
event.
The committee proceeded with planning a series of
events and preparing materials for ASA members and
the public to use in conjunction with National Doctors
Day, established by Congress in 1990 to be celebrated
each year on March 30. Among the materials for members
was a poster that could be displayed in their institution
to educate others about anesthesiology’s connection
with this national celebration.
Initially, the committee chose to focus on Dr. Long,
and on the first poster, featured an artist’s
rendering of the statue in the U.S. Capitol that
honors Dr. Long as one of Georgia’s most renowned
native sons. But it soon became evident that something
more “people friendly,” more appealing
to the public – a softer approach –
would be needed for our public education efforts
to appeal to the community. Discussion continued
in earnest: Should the poster depict a mother and
child, or perhaps an older couple, and if so, would
we be able to speak to the many nationalities, age
groups and diverse regional populations whom we
wanted to reach with our message? Or would we risk
alienating some by our choices?
Then someone suggested a teddy bear.
It’s nonthreatening, accepted across cultures
and universally recognized as comforting and cuddly.
And thus began a series of posters which, until
now, have never been reprinted as a complete group.
May we take this opportunity to introduce to you
the Doctors Day Bears who, unofficially at least,
have taken on “person”-alities and even
names as a gesture of respect and distinction for
some of the greatest pioneers in the medical specialty
of anesthesiology.
Starting from the beginning in 1993 with a large
brown bear, we introduced “Crawford
W. Short” to the anesthesiology community.
The next year, we presented a panda bear, “Morton,”
to recognize Boston’s notable citizen associated
with the public demonstration of ether as an anesthetic.
In 1995, we selected a polar bear patient aptly
named “John Snowy.”
The Committee on Communications began to focus its
public education efforts on specific subspecialties
of anesthesiology. For the older patients, we introduced
a geriatric couple named “Elizabeth
and Horace, the Get-Wells” (1996).
The following year’s poster, focusing on an
obstetrical theme, featured a mother bear and baby
bear named after Queen Victoria and Prince Leopold
but affectionately referred to as “Vicki
and Leo.” Seven more posters followed
(see below and right), calling attention to anesthesiologists’
involvement in pediatrics, safety, office-based/ambulatory
surgery, pain medicine, research and critical care.
This year, the Doctors Day bear has gone into hibernation
while we celebrate the ASA Centennial with a special
poster outlining our Society’s achievements
between 1905-2005. The poster will be sent to all
ASA members this spring.
1992
Crawford W. Long
The first Doctors Day poster produced by
ASA. It bears no resemblance to what would
follow. |
|
1994
Morton |
 |
1996
Elizabeth and Horace,
the Get-Wells |
|
1998
Cathy Digby-Leigh
Pediatric theme/bear on roller blades: "Cathy
Digby-Leigh," in honor of
child athlete/gymnast Cathy Rigby and pediatric
anesthesia pioneer M. Digby-Leigh. |
|
1999
Jeep, Ellison, Junior
and Pierce
Safety theme/school crossing: Little bears
from right, “Jeep”
(red cap), “Ellison”
(backpack) and “Junior”
(little bear) are safe with crossing guard
“Pierce.” Together
they honor the ASA President who started
the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation. |
|
2000
John, Ford, Wallace
and Reed
Office-based surgery theme: Four bears are
named: “John, Ford, Wallace
and Reed,” named
for the two founders of the first Surgicenter
of Phoenix in 1969. |
|
2001
J.J. Bearnica
Pain medicine theme/football player:
“J.J. Bearnica,” named
for pain management guru John J. Bonica,
himself a professional athlete (wrestler). |
|
2002
Ginny Apgrrr
Pediatric theme/birthday party: On a birthday
card, you will see the guest of honor’s
name is "Ginny."
Her full name is "Virginia
Apgrrr." |
|
2003
Crawford W. Short
Research theme: "Crawford W.
Short" reprised his role,
10 years later, again as the poster child,
ah, poster bear for Doctors Day, this time
as a distinguished bench researcher. |
|
2004
Peter Stay-Safar
Critical care medicine theme: Misuse of
firecrackers can cause critical injuries,
which was a lesson learned by "Peter
Stay-Safar," whose namesake
pioneered life-saving techniques in critical
care and resuscitation. |
|
|