Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

In Memoriam Joseph Cummiskey, MD, Prof. 1945–2018

2018; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 17; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1249/jsr.0000000000000540

1537-8918

Norbert Bachl, Fabio Pigozzi,

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research

FigureFigureProfessor Joseph Cummiskey, MD, was born on December 1, 1945, and grew up in South County, Dublin as one of five brothers. He attended Willow Park Junior School in Blackrock and completed his second level education at Rockwell College, County Tipperay. He studied Medicine at University College Dublin (UCD); after qualifying as a medical doctor, he spent time in London before moving with his family in 1976 to California. He remained in the United States, where he held a position as clinical associate professor of Pulmonary Medicine and Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine (1983–1985). He then returned to Ireland to take a position in the newly opened Blackrock Clinic as a consultant in respiratory medicine. During an illustrious career, both in the United States and Ireland, he published numerous impactful scientific articles in the field of respiratory medicine, with particular emphasis in diagnosis and treatment of asthma and asthma in sports. He also excelled in the area of innovative methods and regulations against drug abuse in sport. Joe was always active in his childhood and successful in several sports. During his education at Rockwell College, he captained his school rugby team, which won both the Munster Senior Cup and the College of the Science Cup in the same year (1964). During his medical education in Dublin, he was the 100-yard and 220-yard sprint champion for several years and a member of the relay team that represented Ireland in the White City Track and Field Meet in London. His speed and agility made him an excellent winger on the rugby field, the position he played on the UCD team along with such colorful figures as Peter Sutherland, Al Moroney, Barry Bresnihan, and Con Feighery. He was featured in the Leinster Senior Cup team and continued to play competitively until his graduation in 1970, the year Leinster won the Cup. He also was on the winning side in two “colors” matches against Trinity College; the first in 1967 was remembered as one of the best rugby matches in Lansdowne Road. It was his career as an athlete that introduced him at a very early stage to the challenging field of sports and exercise medicine. This experience certainly spurred him on to become a prominent sports physician in Ireland with positions in the Medical Commission and teams of the Irish Olympic Council. In 1992, following the Seoul Olympics, he was appointed chief medical officer for the Irish Olympic Council. In 1999, he was appointed, along with Professor Fabio Pigozzi, as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical Commission by the late Prince of Merode. In these capacities, he rose to prominence as one of the world’s leading experts in antidoping in sport, widening his commitment in this field in many other international bodies. He also worked very closely with the newly-formed World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) taking on the fight against the use of drugs in sport and liaised with the European Union and the United Sates governments on this important issue. With his specialist knowledge and experience, he held Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee positions with the International Cricket Council, Dubai (2009–2018) and the International Federation of Bobsleigh and Skeleton, Monte Carlo, Monaco (2008–2018). In 2002, he became a member of the Medical Commission of the European Olympic Committee, where he worked tirelessly to protect the health of the athletes and to work against the abuse of drugs in sport. He was well known and highly regarded in the scientific and sports medicine community worldwide, being one of the most charismatic speakers on the international circuit. In 2006, he became a member of the Education and Scientific Commission of European Federation of Sports Medicine Associations (EFSMA), in 2007 he joined the executive committee and he served as the president of EFSMA from 2009 to 2013. During his time in EFSMA, he made major contributions in numerous areas including preparticipation screening and exercise prescription. Under his leadership as president of EFSMA, he helped with the recognition of sports medicine as a specialty within the European Union, which will soon be a reality. He participated in many meetings with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) in Brussels and established important relationships with the House of Sports in Brussels to accomplish this goal for sports medicine. For all EFSMA and FIMS members, it was an honor and privilege to work closely with Professor Cummiskey in his quest to improve sports and exercise medicine worldwide. Joe was an outstanding scientist, a top class sport physician, and a leading crusader in the war on doping in sport. He left his mark in sport, in medicine, and in sport and exercise medicine and established a legacy that will live on in sports medicine. Joe also was “a man of uncommonly large character” as stated by a representative of his alma mater, Rockwell College, who attended his funeral in Dublin. He was an exceptional man, full of nobility, humanity, joy, and happiness with a great passion for life. Many colleagues will always remember the great fortune of knowing Joe as a real friend sharing hard work and the joy of life during numerous conferences and meetings in countries around the world. When hosting a meeting in Dublin, he showed off the beauties of his country with all of the special features from culture, sport (especially his favorite Elm Park Golf Club), food, and drink with great pride. He was a connoisseur of all good things in life and tried to share this with all his friends. For everyone in the FIMS family, it is impossible to translate in words, feelings, or memories, the essence of a friendship which linked us together. We all appreciate the privilege of working together with him and sharing his expertise. His profound knowledge of sports medicine and the ability to transfer knowledge as a true doctor, scientist, and academic, along with his joy of life, kindness, and humanity, will never be forgotten. There are no words to fully express our loss; Joe’s untimely death leaves a huge void. The FIMS family and the sport and exercise medicine community mourns the death of a great Irish leader and gentleman. Goodbye, Joe.