Simply put, hospitalists are medical specialists who most often earn a residency in internal medicine and are certified in hospital medicine (https://rb.gy/bsmp0q). But a hospitalist does not only care for patients. People in this position are often coordinating different departments in the hospital to work together for the common good of the patient and whatever programs they represent (https://rb.gy/wl2gxk).

National Hospitalist Day, March 4, is a day set aside to recognize the amazing work that these people do every day, especially during the pandemic. Consider the number of patients they see each day, and the amount of work they do each day. They have clearly earned at least one day when we can pause and say, “Thank you.”

While all members of the hospital staff deserve to be honored, National Hospitalist Day focuses on those trained individuals who get below the surface to find ways to make us healthy. Many are exposed to disease, address death and care for multiple patients from week to week, but they are among the top who work day and night to assure the safety and survival of everyone who steps foot into their hospital.