Among his many professional affiliations, he is a Fellow of the American Society for Radiation Oncology, an Honorary Member of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology, and a Life Member of the Association of Radiation Oncologists of India. He is a former President of the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncologists, and of the International Society of Radiation Oncologists. He is a former member of the Board of NCIC (clinical trials group) Canada.
Dr. Cummings has long been involved in organizing and participating in teaching programs in radiation oncology in developing countries, including serving as an advisor to the World Health Organization on patient safety in radiation therapy, and to the International Atomic Energy Agency on radiation therapy for rectal cancer in developing countries. He has also been actively involved in the development of treatment guidelines for gastrointestinal cancers for Cancer Care Ontario. He is a Fellow of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, The Royal College of Radiologists of England, and The Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Radiologists.
Although he's retiring, Dr. Cummings will return a day or so a week to work in the palliative radiation outpatient clinic and also continue to teach part-time at the university.
On the topic of legacy, Dr. Cummings will say only that it is for others to decide, but when prodded, describes himself simply as "a reasonably good doctor who put his patients first, held fast to principles, and was always fair:"
He recalls returning from a sabbatical year taken after he finished his decade as department head: "I was in clinic and introduced to a new person who said 'Oh, didn't you used to be someone important once'?" And that, says the ever-modest Dr. Cummings, is a great leveler worth remembering in life.
And about that original fellowship at the Royal Marsden that brought him here for a few months in the first place?
Dr. Cummings completed the fellowship the following year and returned to the Princess Margaret permanently in 1974. The family settled in Don Mills and then in the midtown neighbourhood of Bennington Heights, where a third child came along, and where Dr. Cummings still lives. His wife Kathleen, his sweetheart from their first year at university in New Zealand, passed away a few months ago. The proud father of three – Michael, a cardio-thoracic anesthetist in Kingston; Jessica, a psychotherapist in private practice in Stouffville, and William, a law student at University of Western Ontario in London – and grandfather of four, looks forward to having more time to indulge in three particular passions: reading mystery novels and books on current affairs, listening to opera, and getting back to building model trains.
Comments about Dr. Cummings
From patients
You don't find doctors like this gentleman any more. He is a credit to his profession, brilliant, kind, sensitive and sweet. PMH was so lucky to have him and so were all his patients. He will be truly missed after his retirement.
-- Dr. Cummings is the kindest smartest doctor. He is one of a kind. A brilliant man who saved my life and gave me quality of life.
He is an amazing specialist & human being, both, in my humble opinion. He was the radiation specialist at Princess Margaret for me when I was treated for cancer in 2004. I used to look forward to my appointments with him, not just for whatever good news he might share with me, but because I simply liked the guy. I have since learned that he has entered into a period of semi-retirement, which is -- selfishly! -- my personal loss. I'm going to miss him very much
-- I don't know where to begin to tell you how wonderful this doctor is. His expertise is incredible. What an amazing doctor you are Dr. Cummings. Thanks so much for your care. We are truly blessed to have had you as our doctor.
From colleagues, past and present
"Bernard is a skilled and experienced leader. In 1991, he became the inaugural Chairman of the newly established independent Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Toronto. However, even before that he held a number of leadership positions and was a respected expert in the management of radiation oncology programs. He served as an expert advisor to many institutions -- professional, governmental, and volunteer organizations. He is best known for his leadership in Canada, but he also was the President of the International Society of Radiation Oncology and has received many international honours and awards. As people appreciate and remember him for his clinical skills, it is important to note that he was an important ambassador for Canadian radiation oncology worldwide."
-- Dr. Mary Gospodarowicz, Medical Director, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
We often speak of patient-centred care – and Bernard was an exemplar of that – he had an incredible clinical sense and judgment. He was always the go-to clinician from whom other radiation oncologists would seek advice, particularly for weird and wonderful cases. His ability to dissect a case and focus on the key issue was renowned, and he always gave advice clearly, succinctly, and accurately. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of clinical oncology (including surgery; and he was unfailingly generous in sharing his knowledge and providing advice.
-- Dr. Fei-Fei Liu, Head, Radiation Oncology; Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto
I've known Dr. Cummings since 1977 and as a young Radiation Therapist I learned clinical skills from him as he would ask me questions about the anatomy of the patient while reviewing an X-ray. He never made me feel stupid or incompetent, and would clearly explain the right answer. I have so much respect for him. He is compassionate, empathetic and a very kind, humble individual. I have never seen him angry or raise his voice.
-- Lue-Ann Swanson, Manager, Clinical Operations, Radiation Therapy
We always had a full onslaught of patients in our Thursday morning GI clinic, but no matter what, we always took a break for tea at 10:30. We set a table for four, and Dr Cummings, me, the volunteer and patient flow coordinator took a moment to catch our breath and catch up with each other. Fifteen minutes later, we would be back at it, fully recharged.
-- Sabrina Bennett, Specialized Oncology Nurse; Patient Care Coordinator, Hematology
Dr. Cummings and Dr. Laura Dawson, a former trainee, at the ASTRO gala dinner with his Gold Medal awarded for lifetime achievements
Dr. Cummings is an outstanding teacher who taught personalized radiation therapy well before it was a hot topic, challenging me to think "outside the box" as a resident, always putting the patient first – from the technical details of radiation therapy to the chemotherapy specifics and supportive care tips. As a junior faculty, Dr. Cummings supported my efforts in developing a liver cancer radiation therapy program at Princess Margaret, when many others were skeptical. Today, despite being a radiation oncology luminary and one of the few Canadians who has received the ASTRO Gold Medal, he is a regular participant at rounds and always available to discuss challenging cases. I will miss working beside Dr. Cummings in the GI clinic, but have no doubt that his positive influence on patients will live on.
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Dr. Laura Dawson, former trainee, GI Radiation Site Group
In addition to admiring Bernie Cummings for his extraordinary skills as a caring and compassionate doctor I have a secret envy of one forgotten aspect of his talents. Bernie Cummings knows how to use a slide rule!!! For those of you reading this article who do not know what a slide rule is.... I quote Wikipedia in educating you that ... "The slide rule, also known colloquially in the United States as a slipstick, is a mechanical analog computer. The slide rule is used primarily for multiplication and division, and also for functions such as roots, logarithms and trigonometry." Slide rules are like narrow lapels.... keep the suit long enough and the style returns. When you next see Bernie ask him to calculate the fourth derivative of a log function... and watch in amazement as his nimble fingers provide the answer before your Mac has got to its Homepage.
–- Dr. Bob Bell, Deputy Minister of Health, former President & CEO, UHN, former Chief Operating Officer, Princess Margaret Hospital
