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MUSC's burn unit was dedicated May 18 in memory of its founder, the late Dabney Yarbrough III, M.D.

Dr. Yarbrough served as director and attending surgeon of the burn unit until his death on June 27, 1998.

He held those positions for 27 years. “It is fitting that our burn unit be dedicated in memory of the man who spent his life caring for burn victims in South Carolina,” said Fred Crawford, M.D., chairman of the Department of Surgery at the Medical University. “Dr. Yarbrough was considered a leading burn surgeon in South Carolina and the nation. His colleagues, associates and patients remember his professionalism, skills, collegiality and compassion.”

A Columbia native, Dr. Yarbrough was a graduate of the University of Richmond and the Medical College of Virginia. His surgical internship and residency were completed at the Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Yarbrough had fellowship training in burn surgery at the Army Institute of Surgical Research at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, from 1962- 1964.

Author of more than 100 scientific publications and 15 chapters in surgical textbooks, Dr. Yarbrough was active in local, state and national committees responsible for the current and future care of burn and trauma victims. He was an active member of 17 surgical societies.