Alumni
After Episcopal
Dr. Edward Darrell Jervey ’54
Dr. Edward Darrell Jervey ’54 tried to escape the strength of his family legacy. He was determined not to follow in the footsteps of his ophthalmologist grandfather and father, Dr. James W. Jervey, Jr., Class of 1919. While hesitant to follow family career choices, he knew The High School was the perfect option and thus followed his brother, James Jervey III ’49, to The Holy Hill.
“Both my grandfather and my dad were ophthalmologists, and I was a hard-headed young man,” Jervey said. “I decided ophthalmology was one thing I was not going to do. But everybody went to Episcopal, and I did, and I loved it.”
During his senior year at the University of Virginia, Jervey was encouraged by his chemistry professor to review his post-graduation options one last time. He was reluctant, but his professor emboldened him to make an unexpected choice as an English major. Upon graduation, he chose to attend Duke University’s Medical School with a specialization in ophthalmology.
Jervey practiced ophthalmology in Greenville, South Carolina, for over 40 years. As an ophthalmologist, he specializes in treating complex eye disorders and is a trained surgeon. One of the most rewarding responsibilities was performing eye surgeries and watching the transformation in his patients, he recounted. He also served as the President of the Greenville County Medical Society and the South Carolina Society of Ophthalmology.
“Both my grandfather and my dad were ophthalmologists, and I was a hard-headed young man,” Jervey said. “I decided ophthalmology was one thing I was not going to do. But everybody went to Episcopal, and I did, and I loved it.”
During his senior year at the University of Virginia, Jervey was encouraged by his chemistry professor to review his post-graduation options one last time. He was reluctant, but his professor emboldened him to make an unexpected choice as an English major. Upon graduation, he chose to attend Duke University’s Medical School with a specialization in ophthalmology.
Jervey practiced ophthalmology in Greenville, South Carolina, for over 40 years. As an ophthalmologist, he specializes in treating complex eye disorders and is a trained surgeon. One of the most rewarding responsibilities was performing eye surgeries and watching the transformation in his patients, he recounted. He also served as the President of the Greenville County Medical Society and the South Carolina Society of Ophthalmology.
Even at the end of a 40-year tenure, Jervey was not ready to retire from his practice, Jervey Eye Group. He chose to set his sights on volunteerism as he transitioned into partial retirement. “My wife and I set up a clinic for the homeless in Greenville, and we continue to provide care once a month,” he said of this next stage in his career.
Jervey’s passion for service began in 1970, when he attended a volunteer mission trip to Haiti. “I was part of a group that would go to Haiti once or twice a year to run some free eye clinics,” said the surgeon. “I distributed reading glasses, performed cataract surgeries, and established a couple of eye clinics that are still active in Haiti today.” Of his service work, Jervey reflected that, “there was more to practicing medicine than simply practicing medicine.”
In addition to operating a free eye clinic for the homeless, Jervey also volunteers with a free medical clinic, and teaches resident students of South Carolina Medical School. At 86-years-old, he hopes to continue his volunteerism for as long as he is able.
Throughout his career, Jervey often drew on the lessons and values he learned while attending The High School. “My math teacher, Mr. Charles Thompkins, gave me one of my favorite mottos that I will never forget,” he said remembering his favorite educator. “‘Always find out where you stand and stand there.’” Thompkins also served as the head of a boys’ camp in western North Carolina that Jervey attended, which only served to strengthen their relationship. A decade later, Jervey worked as the camp doctor during his second year of medical school.
His biggest takeaway from The High School was to follow the Honor Code. “The honor system was one big thing that was stressed at EHS,” he remembered. “I don’t know anybody I associated with who did not honor those instructions.” He hopes current Episcopal students appreciate the lessons of the School and encourages them to take advantage of every unique opportunity. “I didn’t fully understand this when I was a student there, but in retrospect, it was a privilege to attend that School,” he emphasized. “I still carry all of the ideals that I learned there, and I will for the rest of my life.”
Jervey’s passion for service began in 1970, when he attended a volunteer mission trip to Haiti. “I was part of a group that would go to Haiti once or twice a year to run some free eye clinics,” said the surgeon. “I distributed reading glasses, performed cataract surgeries, and established a couple of eye clinics that are still active in Haiti today.” Of his service work, Jervey reflected that, “there was more to practicing medicine than simply practicing medicine.”
In addition to operating a free eye clinic for the homeless, Jervey also volunteers with a free medical clinic, and teaches resident students of South Carolina Medical School. At 86-years-old, he hopes to continue his volunteerism for as long as he is able.
Throughout his career, Jervey often drew on the lessons and values he learned while attending The High School. “My math teacher, Mr. Charles Thompkins, gave me one of my favorite mottos that I will never forget,” he said remembering his favorite educator. “‘Always find out where you stand and stand there.’” Thompkins also served as the head of a boys’ camp in western North Carolina that Jervey attended, which only served to strengthen their relationship. A decade later, Jervey worked as the camp doctor during his second year of medical school.
His biggest takeaway from The High School was to follow the Honor Code. “The honor system was one big thing that was stressed at EHS,” he remembered. “I don’t know anybody I associated with who did not honor those instructions.” He hopes current Episcopal students appreciate the lessons of the School and encourages them to take advantage of every unique opportunity. “I didn’t fully understand this when I was a student there, but in retrospect, it was a privilege to attend that School,” he emphasized. “I still carry all of the ideals that I learned there, and I will for the rest of my life.”
