Following Derek Griffiths' passing, the ICS would like to pay tribute to our highly respected member.
Derek had a long association with the International Continence Society having attended the meeting in Exeter in 1971 at which the ICS was formed. He was a regular attendee and thought-provoking member ever since.
Derek did his first degree in physics from the University of Cambridge, followed by a doctorate from St Andrews in Scotland. While a lecturer at the University of Exeter he commuted to Middlesex Hospital in London. He observed the urodynamic studies conducted there by Richard Turner Warwick and Graham Whiteside, and Urology Research Fellows Patrick Bates and Ted Arnold in 1969-1971. He then moved to the Clinical Physics Department at Erasmus in Rotterdam, working with Ron van Mastrigt, Roel Scholtmeijer, Ruud Bosch and others. Close collaboration continued with Paul Abrams in Bristol, developing concepts of obstruction and contractility of smooth muscle.
His ideas of flow and pressure in collapsible tubes were documented in his book entitled: Urodynamics: The Mechanics and Hydrodynamics of the Lower Urinary Tract 1980, subsequently reprinted by the ICS in 2014.
In 1988 he moved to Edmonton in Canada and continued with his interest in urodynamics. He appreciated that urinary incontinence depended not only on the bladder and urethra muscles, but also on balanced neurological control. In turn this led to collaboration with Neil Resnick at the University of Pittsburgh, using fMRI, and with Clare Fowler, Professor of Neurology at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London.
He bridged the interface between physics and urology and interpreted basic science for clinicians. ICS has always valued this type of interdisciplinary approach. He spoke kindly, clearly, and with humility to anyone with questions.
Derek served on many ICS committees as a science advisor and on its Standardisation Committee. He advised the Canadian Medical Equipment company, Laborie on the design of certain urodynamic measurement devices. He taught on educational courses in many countries around the world and latterly taught on brain imaging in relation to urinary tract function.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to science, Derek was awarded the ICS Life-time Achievement Award in 2015. His work was recognised by the American Urodynamics Society which bestowed him a Life-time Achievement Award in 1993.
Many ICS members will remember him well, with admiration and respect.
If you'd like to pay tribute to Derek, or leave a message for his family, you can do so on the family memorial website here.