Celebrating Our Physicians on National Doctors’ Day
March 30 is National Doctors’ Day, a time to celebrate the contributions of physicians to individuals and our communities. Gilchrist is grateful for our skilled and dedicated physicians who oversee all of our care, helping to ensure exceptional services for all of our patients.
Our 18 physicians provide and oversee medical care to adults and children in numerous settings—at homes, residential care communities, hospitals and our inpatient hospice centers. They serve as the medical directors and attending physicians for nearly 30 older adult residences (nursing homes and assisted living facilities) in the surrounding community.
Our physicians are on the front lines every day. During the pandemic, their selflessness was evident as they faced the unknown, treating COVID-19 patients as well as others. They continued serving despite the deepening health crisis and were a dependable source of knowledge, facts and reassurance during a confusing and frightening time. Physicians also led the charge to develop new safety protocols and adhere to ever-changing guidelines.
It takes a special kind of dedication to become a Gilchrist physician. Above all, they must have an overarching desire to help others and a passion for helping the specific populations we serve, including older, frail and severely ill patients. They must complete four years of medical school followed by a three-year residency and usually an additional one- to two-year fellowship in their specialization. They make personal sacrifices to work long hours, with many weekends and nights on call.
Gilchrist doctors have specialized training in hospice, palliative, geriatric, and internal medicine. They are key members of our interdisciplinary teams, working closely with nurses, social workers, nurse practitioners, hospice aides, and chaplains, so they are aware of all aspects of a patient’s care. Our physicians are passionate, empathetic, caring, attentive and reassuring. They take time to get to know their patients, listening to their concerns and having important conversations.
Treating patients is not all physicians do. Gilchrist doctors also train other medical professionals, providing continuing medical education for colleagues, staff, and professionals in the community on topics such as palliative and end-of-life services, advance care planning, and having difficult conversations.
Led by our chief medical officer, Dr. Anthony Riley, our physicians also plan innovative new programs and initiatives to serve the needs of all populations who need care at every stage of illness. They serve on numerous committees throughout Gilchrist and GBMC to improve services for our patients.
We are so grateful to our doctors for their care, hard work and sacrifice to help others, particularly in this past year. You can honor your doctor by saying thanks, sending a note of gratitude, or making a donation to Gilchrist in honor of a doctor.