ER doctor gets Order of Palmetto

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He served the country in the armed forces, helped dozens of alcoholics get sober, and baked bread for friends and colleagues.

And he's been an inspiration to people who, like himself, have been diagnosed with rare esophageal cancer.

Thursday night, in recognition of this lifetime of service, Gregg was presented with the Order of the Palmetto, the state's highest civilian honor.

"South Carolina is truly blessed to benefit from your tremendous work and generous service," Gov. Mark Sanford wrote to Gregg in a letter accompanying the award, which was presented at the Poinsett Club.

"Thank you for upholding the highest ideals of servant leadership in everything you do."

Gregg accepted the award with humility accented by his typical wry sense of humor, referring to his cancer as well as his emotional state.

"There are two huge lumps in my throat right now," he told the adoring group who gathered to honor him. "I'm just overflowing right now. Thank you."

Born in Pennsylvania, Gregg grew up in Wilmington, Del., and spent six years in the Air Force, including a tour of duty in Vietnam, before another 15 years in the Reserves. Married for more than 37 years, he and hiw wife, Becky, have three grown children.

His son, Dan Gregg, was among those who paid tribute to Gregg last night, having apparently inherited the sense of humor.

"Every night at the dinner table, we were blessed by gory stories of what happened at the ER that day," he said to a burst of laughter. "My father has been a fantastic role model that I only hope I can equal."

Two years ago, Gregg diagnosed himself with esophageal cancer, which accounts for just 1 percent of all cancers.

Because the disease strikes so few people -- 14,000 new cases a year nationwide, compared with 173,000 new cases of lung cancer -- patients often find themselves alone in their battle against the disease. But Gregg clears up confusion about medical terminology and eases fears for patients in the Upstate and around the world through an international online support group.

"It's people like Don who showed me I wasn't dying of cancer, but living with cancer," said Poinsett Club manager Warren Arseneaux, whom Gregg helped after he too was diagnosed with the same disease. "Thank you for what you mean to us."

Gregg has worked at Greenville Hospital System since 1978 and still puts in a few days a week. He is admired by patients for his compassion and dedication and praised by colleagues as a brilliant and skilled physician.

"We could not be where we are today without you," said Dr. Martin E. Lutz, medical director of emergency services at GHS. "And I hope you'll be there by my side for the next 10 years."

Earlier this year, Gregg received a statewide EMS Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to emergency services.

"As an outstanding physician, educator and leader in the medical community, you have established a standard of excellence that is second to none," Sanford wrote. "You have selflessly given of your time just to listen, to give wise counsel when needed, and to teach paramedics skills to save the lives of others."

Greenville County paramedic Pat Browning called Gregg one of the best friends a paramedic could ever have.

"I will always cherish you," he told Gregg, giving him a warm hug. "We love you."

Gregg has had immeasurable impact throughout Greenville County, said Deputy Coroner Kent Dill.

"The things he's been involved with to help our community are just endless," he said.

Wanda Wells, the Gregg children's former babysitter, whom Gregg put through college, was a perfect example.

"Had it not been for Dr. Gregg," she said, "I wouldn't be the person I am today."