Vernal G. Cave

Vernal Gordon Cave (1918–1997) was an American doctor, local official, educator and activist in Brooklyn, New York.

Early life Cave was the oldest of five children, born to Barbadians Joseph and Selina Small Cave in Colon, Panama in 1918. The family moved to Brooklyn in 1921. and the first to serve as President of the First District Branch of the New York State Medical Society.

He was the 73rd President of the National Medical Association, According to one honoree of the award, he “understood that the practice of medicine and the care of patients extend beyond the office, into the community if one is to fully and faithfully live up to our oath to heal.” though it was later claimed that he may have been aware of the study as it was occurring.

In 1974, Dr. Cave was appointed to Governor Hugh Carey’s health task force. As part of the task force, Cave and Mary Lasker prepared a preventative medicine report. Dr. Cave also served as both a founding director of New York City's Health and Hospital Corporation, as well as director of the New York City Health Department’s Bureau of Venereal Disease Control. During his service, Dr. Cave was part of recruiting the corporation's first black president, Dr. John L.S. Holloman Jr. New York Urban League, Howard University Medical Alumni Association, Crown Heights Lions Club, Comus Club, Provident Clinical Society and Alpha Sigma Boule of the Sigma Pi Phi fraternity.

As part of his various roles in the community, Cave also participated in local politics, such as by supporting Representative Major Owens. He was also closely associated with State Supreme Court Justice Thomas R. Jones, former Deputy Police Commissioner and the BSRC's first president Franklin A. Thomas, and New York City political figures like Percy Sutton and Mayor David N. Dinkins.

His honors and awards included the Distinguished Service Award from Howard University, recognition by the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, an Honorary Doctorate from Medgar Evers College, and Man of the Year at Janes United Methodist Church.

Death Cave died from cardiac arrest in May 1997. He was survived by his wife, Natalie Helene Jacobs Cave. His memorial services were conducted at Concord Baptist Church of Christ and he was buried at the Cemetery of the Evergreens.