Gift for physician?

[Andrea]

Food!!!! We had patients bring us all kinda of different foods sack lunches etc....

 

[DawnM]

The notes are what really make a difference. The personal thank you and telling her how much she meant to you is more important than any gift.

My father still remembers the heart felt thank yous he received throughout the years. He is a retired surgeon.

Dawn

I gave the surgeon a thank you note, a picture of our family because I wanted him to remember not just did he save my life, he also made sure my dh had a wife and my 3 ds had a mom. (I wrote that in the thank you note)

I also gave a cookie platter from the bakery for him and the staff

 

[vettechick99]

I think a heartfelt thank you and some treats for her office would be great! Glad to hear your son is doing so well!!!

When DD5 had a serious reaction to a peanut butter cookie, we ran to the nearest doctor's office we could find and begged them to see her. They did and quickly reversed the reaction. The next week, DH got a party-size sandwich platter from Subway and took it to them and thanked them in person.

 

[PrincessCin]

When our long time pediatrician Dr. Smith moved to another state, I purchased a picture frame and had it engraved with "The Smith Family". I thought it was something he and his family would enjoy.

 

[scoutie]

With my last high risk pregnancy, my OB and her nursing staff really had gone out of their way to take good care of me and my unborn baby, so I sent two dozen specially made cupcakes. They gushed about them. Here's the company I ordered from (not likely they are local to you, but just wanted to give you an example). http://www.foiledcupcakes.com/

I'm glad your son is ok! What a scary ordeal.

 

[Pigeon]

When I was done with the treatment at my oncologist's office, I sent a letter to the office manager detailing the extraordinary care that I'd gotten from everyone from the doc to his research nurse, the onco nurses, the receptionist and the phlebotomist. It was a couple of months till I went back for a follow-up and every single one of those people that I bumped into in the office told me how much the letter meant to them.

 

[Bob NC]

A number of years ago I had a pretty serious foot surgery.

As a kind of thank you, I sent the doctor $22,500.00

 

[2disneyboys]

A number of years ago I had a pretty serious foot surgery.

As a kind of thank you, I sent the doctor $22,500.00

hey me too! only mine was worth closer to $35,000

Seriously, we have several persons in various medical fields in our family and each of them go on & on every time they get a note, or picture.. and of course, who doesn't like treats

 

[disfan07]

I have a team of about 10 doctors (well now 14...they just added another 4)

But we do thank you cards and food. Homemade treats go over very very well.

I am very close with a couple of my doctors where it's at the point that I don't even need a reason to bring them food, I just happen to have extra when baking so I bring it to them if I have an appointment.

Some things ive made are:
Peppermint patties
Chocolate covered pretzels
Mini apple pies
Chocolate chip cookie dough truffles
Cookies
Muffins
Pumpkin bread
Blueberry bread
Brownies
Fudge

All of this has gone over very well. And after all this time I know who prefers what treats so I try to make everyone their favorites.

 

[pearlieq]

As many have already said, you can't go wrong with food and a heartfelt personal thank you note.

A couple of other things to consider:

A donation in the physician's honor to a charity, if you know what they support. We sponsored the Relay for Life team at my mom's cancer center in honor of her amazing oncologist.

Along with your personal note to the doctor, you could also send a letter to the hospital president/board praising the doctor and any facilities/processes that really worked well for you and made your life easier. Not only is it nice to get praised to your "boss" but hospitals can use the feedback on how to serve families and patients better.

 

[Daisy5115]

I work as a drug rep and bring food to doctor's offices all day long. I see food everywhere from the rep before me and the day before. Of course, homemade treats are great, but don't forget about the venders that will be bringing food to the offices too. I'd go with a heartfelt note, or personal gift.

Glad to hear that your son is well.

 

[anelson81993]

My brother, sister, and I were all born with major heart defects, mine being the most severe. While I have a giant team of doctors who work with my case (some of whom I share with my brother and sister), we have one cardiologist whom we've been seeing since we were very young who we've given gifts to a few times.
We've sent thank-you notes a couple times and pictures somewhat often (this cardiologist's office actually has a patient picture bulletin board for the patients who did send pictures). He got copies of my brother and my graduation pictures, and will probably get one from my sister too.
We've also sent his favorite chocolate chip cookies, though we don't do that as much now. When we were all much younger, he was very involved in our lives with surgeries and procedures; now, my primary condition is no longer treatable and my brother's and sister's primary conditions are mostly corrected (all different conditions), and we don't see him as much. During the several year period in which between the three of us someone was always prepraring for or undergoing some type of surgery or procedure, he received more cards/notes/pictures/cookies from us. We used to joke that when we needed him to do something for us, we'd send him cookies and suddenly it would get done.
I also remember being told that, during the time after my last surgery, my grandmother would bring all sorts of treats to the PICU. I was out for ten days after the surgery (problems getting me off the ventiltor), and my grandmother apparently brought something for the PICU staff every day. I do remember in the days I was in the hospital after I woke up that she brought treats often, too.
I don't think we've ever actually sent a gift or a gift card. But pictures, notes, and homemade/edible treats have always been welcomed by my doctor.

 

[sookie]

I think food is good, but nothing home made. An edible arrangement or panera is good for breakfast!

 

[DCbride]

I agree with no homemade. While i appreciate the gesture, I hate to say I throw out anything made from home.

 

[smokeyblue]

I agree with no home made stuff too. I worked in inpatient clinical areas for 10 years and most people won't touch home made goodies. Also, as far as gifts go, most health systems have rules above receiving gifts and there is usually a monetary limit.

I have to say that nothing goes further than a thank you, wether it be verbal or in a note or letter.

 

[beansmom]

i disagree with no homemade. my dh is a nursing home physician and he and the staff are always appreciative of a tasty treat as many days lots of the nurses don't have time to grab a lunch.

i do also agree that 'thank you' is the best gift. altho, one time one of our dear ladies mailed dh a $1 bill to thank him for his service. that was the cutest thing we ever got.

 

[ilovevacation]

I know when i get a card from a patient it means the most to me...i actually have a drawer full of them that i love to pull out on a holiday or just a bad day. I will tell you the nurses love home made goodies, when they are good, but in general a dozen of cupcakes from the shop down the street or a dozen of bagels and some spread and just as welcomed. Anything you do will be appreciated, just don't spend too much.

 

[sookie]

I agree with no home made stuff too. I worked in inpatient clinical areas for 10 years and most people won't touch home made goodies. Also, as far as gifts go, most health systems have rules above receiving gifts and there is usually a monetary limit.

I have to say that nothing goes further than a thank you, wether it be verbal or in a note or letter.

Only the brave people touch homemade stuff. I would just hate for the OP's stuff to get tossed. Some places do toss homemade treats.

I'm not that brave. I might love you as a patient, but I'm not eating anything that doesn't come out of my kitchen or a commercial kitchen... while I wouldn't toss I wouldn't eat. Some places would just thank and toss though. :-/

You guys remember the thread here where the lady said she took her cherry pie to the potluck after the cat walked through it, right? I won't do pot lucks anymore either!!!!

 

[indimom]

Who doesn't love a yummy treat?!


Thinking about your son's story, how about an autographed baseball from your son?! It would be something unique & part of their story.

I think this is the best idea yet. Love it!

Thank you for all the suggestions, they are great. I love the idea of an autographed baseball from my DS. He can write a short thank you on it. We'll bring or send an edible treat that day as well. I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't make her feel awkward if I sent something. I think an edible arrangement will be great so the entire office can enjoy it.

Glad to see you agree with me, OP. I think an edible arrangement is a nice addition to the baseball. We've got a doctor (and staff) who also go above and beyond. I need to think of a unique idea like this. Hmmmm...

A number of years ago I had a pretty serious foot surgery.

As a kind of thank you, I sent the doctor $22,500.00

Aint that the truth.
But, I gotta say, when you get a real winner, who goes above and beyond, they are worth their weight in gold!

And OP, I'm glad to hear your son has recovered and all is well! It's so nice to hear good stories once in a while!

 

[Sadie22]

I'm sure heartfelt letters from grateful patients (and their families) are always appreciated.

I hope those who can afford to make financial gifts to hospital foundations to go toward medical research will also think of making those kinds of gifts so that medical science can continue to advance. I don't think any amount is too small.