Category: News, observances, history

Happening in March-Match Day, Madness, Medicine, and More

updated March 1, 2023

Daylight Saving Time

Depending on where you live, you may need to remember to spring forward into Daylight Saving Time

Most of the United States will change to Daylight Saving Time on Sunday March 12, 2023 by setting your clock one hour ahead-unless your device changes automatically. If you have to awaken at a specified time, you will “lose” an hour of sleep.

Your body will tell the difference until your sleep cycle adjusts; I know mine always does.  WebMD offers these tips to make the change easier.

St. Patrick’s Day

Of course you know that March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day.

In Chicago, Illinois, they dye the river green to celebrate (photo by my son Ryan).

Welcome Spring

We will welcome the  first day of Spring, March 20,  in the northern hemisphere, with the occurrence of the vernal equinox.

Health Tips for Spring You Must Know

Daylight Saving Time and the arrival of spring with the vernal equinox,brings increased daylight until summer solstice. It’s wise to be proactive in avoiding dangerous spring and summer weather conditions that can turn deadly.

Keep reading

 

Residents’ Match Day

In 2023, St. Patrick’s Day is also Residency Match Day. No, not the kind of match you light fires with.

It’s the day graduating medical students find out what residency program they will join through the National Resident Matching Program , which “matches” them with available positions in residencies all over the United States.

Why should you care? This matching process determines who will care for our medical needs in the next 30-40 years; our family physicians, internists, pediatricians, general surgeons, obstetricians, dermatologists, psychiatrists, and the multitude of other medical specialties. Most doctors will continue in the same specialty their entire career, although some  switch after a few or many years.

The surprising new doctors caring for you

Who will be your next doctor? What will your future doctor look like?

Your doctor within the next 10-20 years is likely in medical school or a residency program in a United States medical center right now. Within 1-10 years, they will join the ranks of practicing physicians, while some currently in practice will change…

Keep reading

National Doctor’s Day

March 30 has been designated National Doctor’s Day in the United States. You may not have heard of  a day to honor doctors.

March 30 is Doctors' Day

The first Doctors’ Day observance was March 30, 1933, in Winder, Georgia. The idea came from a doctor’s wife, Eudora Brown Almond,  and the date was the anniversary of the first use of general anesthetic in surgery(although several other dates also claim that distinction.)

The Barrow County (Georgia) Medical Society Auxiliary proclaimed the day “Doctors’ Day,” which was celebrated by mailing cards to physicians and their wives and by placing flowers on the graves of deceased doctors.

In 1990, the U.S. Congress established a National Doctors’ Day first celebrated on March 30, 1991.

 

Vietnam War Veterans Day

In my home we observe not only Doctor’s Day, but also Vietnam War Veterans Day, because my husband is one.

 Vietnam War Veterans Day commemorates the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans and their families ,part of a national effort to recognize the men and women who didn’t receive a proper welcome upon returning home more than 40 years ago.

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

On that day in 1973, the last combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam and the last prisoners of war held in North Vietnam arrived on American soil. It is also the date President Nixon chose for the first Vietnam Veterans Day in 1974.

 Read about an actual event in the Vietnam War, written by my husband Raymond-he knows, because he was there.

Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath Kindle Edition


And Madness at the Hoops

And yes sports fans, the NCAA Division 1 Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournaments, aka March Madness,occurs in March. 68 teams of each will play to determine the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college basketball national champions for the 2022–23 season.

Like many of you, I will be following my favorite teams. Good luck everyone.

 

basketfall goal
I wonder how many college basketball players started at one of these?

 

exploring the HEART of health in the spring

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Dr. Aletha

Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Reverend Dr. King led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his death by assassination in 1968. His famous “I have a dream” speech, delivered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. is remembered, read, and recited by people all over the country

On the third Monday of January, the United States observes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as an official federal holiday.

The Reverend Dr. King led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his death by assassination in 1968. His famous “I have a dream” speech, delivered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., is remembered, read, and recited by people worldwide on the anniversary of his birth.

"I have a dream"
Plaque honoring “I have a dream” speech by Dr. King

“Martin Luther King’s commitment to nonviolent advocacy,  coupled with service, won the hearts and minds of many Americans. King’s public and civil advocacy,coupled with a willingness to serve the most vulnerable, brought genuine transformation.

Though he did not possess all the markers of power, he brought doctoral-level training and broad cultural experience to his philosophical personalism and commitment to dignity of all people…as America’s most effective prophet…his  movement’s power was not in its social location but rather in its gospel commitment to truth, love and service. “

Gabriel Salguero,president of the National  Latino Evangelical Coalition, writing in Christianity Today ,November 2015

Martin Luther King Jr. at Biography.com

“King won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, among several other honors. He continues to be remembered as one of the most influential and inspirational African-American leaders in history.” Continue reading at the link

Violence-a tragic legacy

Dr. King’s life reminds us of the tragic effects of violence. His life ended suddenly and prematurely when, on April 4, 1968, an assailant shot him as he stood on a hotel balcony. He had delivered his last speech just the day before. The shooter was apprehended, and after confessing to the murder, sentenced to life in prison where he died.

Most people know of Dr. King’s assassination, but don’t know his mother, Alberta Williams King, also died violently. At age 69, sitting at the organ of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Mrs. King was shot and killed on June 30, 1974. Her  23-year-old assailant received a life sentence and died in prison.

Recognizing and preventing the health effects of violence

Exposure to violence leads to multiple types of mental and behavioral disorders :depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, sleep and eating disorders, substance abuse and suicide attempts. Adults who experienced childhood trauma struggle with stress due to finances, family and jobs. Abused children often  commit crime as adults.

Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.'s avatar by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

The following book suggestions lead to affiliate links that may pay a commission to this blog at no extra cost.

A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches A Gift of Love: Sermons from Strength to Love and Other Preachings

And a biography about Dr. King written for children I Am Martin Luther King, Jr.

I am Martin Luther King book

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Honoring Martin Luther King Jr’s Life and Legacy

Every year the United States and the world remembers and honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Former President Biden’s proclamation urged Americans to honor King’s legacy through community service. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial symbolizes his vision of a “Beloved Community,” reminding all to continue fighting for equality and justice.

Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.'s avatar by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.