A house RESOLUTION

 

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF SOUTH CAROLINA NATIVE DR. EVERETT LLOYD DARGAN AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Everett Lloyd Dargan, a native of South Carolina, on April 1, 2025, at the venerable age of ninety-five. Dr. Dargan led an inspiring life of remarkable achievement and grace as a scholar, surgeon, sportsman, gentleman, public servant, husband, father, mentor, and friend to many; and

 

Whereas, born on July 30, 1929, in Columbia to Annie and Thomas Dargan Sr., Everett was the third son in a loving family of six. His older brothers, Thomas Jr. and Julian, were his heroes. Like their parents, the boys and their beloved sister, Goldia, were raised in an era of extraordinary hardship, which instilled in them a foundation of faith, an ethic of hard work and service to others, and a deep commitment to education. The Dargans were devoted members of Zion Baptist Church, where Dr. Dargan eventually served as a trustee; and

 

Whereas, at age fifteen, sponsored by a scholarship, the young Everett entered Atlanta's Morehouse College. He transferred to the University of Buffalo in New York, where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology with honors, followed by admission to Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C. There, he received his Doctor of Medicine with high honors in 1953. He trained in general surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, becoming chief resident of the surgical program. Interrupting his residency to serve in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, he rose to the rank of captain and commander of the USAF Hospital at RAF Base Mildenhall and RAF Base Lakenheath in the UK. Following his service, he became associate professor of surgery at Einstein; and

 

Whereas, Dr. Dargan returned to Columbia in 1961 to practice and to assist with his mother's cancer treatment. Back in New York in 1964, Dr. Dargan, by then an attending surgeon at Lincoln Hospital, met Carol Poyner. The two married in 1965 and later moved to Boston, where Dr. Dargan completed his surgical specialization and board certifications in thoracic surgery and vascular surgery at Boston University Medical Center. Returning to New York, he became director of surgery at Lincoln and later at Sydenham Hospital, where he also advocated for indigent patient care and quality medical care for veterans. In addition, he practiced surgery at the Hospital for Joint Diseases, following a fellowship in special surgeries of the hand; and

 

Whereas, in 1978, Dr. Dargan returned to Columbia for the remainder of his career, first serving in private medical practice. In 1979, he joined the faculty of the University of South Carolina (USC) as an associate clinical professor of surgery, serving until his retirement in 2004. He remained dedicated to serving his fellow veterans. Dr. Dargan was also a founding member of Physicians' Health Plan of South Carolina, a network of providers committed to serving Medicaid recipients; and

 

Whereas, further, Everett Dargan was the first African American surgeon to serve as chief of surgery and then chief of staff at Richland Memorial Hospital. A lifelong scholar, he was honored by the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society in 1996 for his distinguished career of leadership in medicine. He continued training fellow surgeons, presenting research findings, and delivering papers at medical conferences in Africa and throughout the United States. After retirement, he worked for the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners for nearly a decade; and

 

Whereas, in 2005, the USC School of Medicine established a scholarship in Dr. Dargan's name to support the education of physicians committed to practicing in underserved communities. Also in 2005, he received the Order of the Palmetto, the State of South Carolina's highest civilian honor. In 2021, he was named one of USC's inaugural Luminary Leaders in Medicine and Science; and

 

Whereas, Dr. Dargan leaves to cherish his memory his loving family and a host of patients and friends. He will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of South Carolina native Dr. Everett Lloyd Dargan and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family.

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