Compassionate gynaecologist with a national reputation for excellence
Dr Jimmy Kennedy, consultant gynaecologist
Born: April 23, 1949;
Died: October 26, 2020.
HAD Jimmy Kennedy stuck to his original academic ambition, he would have spent his career working as a vet. Instead, he became one of Scotland’s most noted gynaecologists.
He and his great friend Hector Brodie, friends since their first year in primary school, had begun their first year at Glasgow University together. The study of physics, however, proved the undoing of both of them, and each had to spend an extra 12 months making amends, with Jimmy moving into medicine and Hector continuing in dentistry.
Both claimed never to have subsequently used anything taught in their physics stream – an observation shared with the majority of their peers, even those who had been successful at the first attempt.
Following his junior doctor years, Jimmy trained as an obstetrician/ gynaecologist, mostly at Rottenrow and the Royal Infirmary, both in Glasgow. His mentors included the indomitable Sister Anne Lynas, who taught young trainee doctors how to care for women during normal labour and delivery, and Professor Callum Mcnaughton, later to become Sir Callum and President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
It was the latter, who spotted Jimmy’s surgical talents early despite the fact that Jimmy was left-handed, surgery by left-handers rarely looking skilful.
The final acknowledgement of his talents came with the awarding of an honorary Fellowship by the Royal College of Surgeons more than a quarter of a century later.
Not only was Jimmy a very accomplished surgeon, he was a sympathetic teacher who trained a stream of young colleagues, and a perceptive clinician wholly committed to the women under his care.
In 1980 he went to Duke University for further training under Bill Creasman, who had helped set up the sub-speciality of gynaecological cancer in America. Jimmy returned to a consultant post at the Royal Infirmary, from where he and his colleague, Jo Davis at Stobhill, established the sub-speciality in the west of Scotland.
His many contributions, including the presidency from 2006 until 2008 of the venerable Glasgow Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (founded in 1885), were further recognised by his election to The Gynaecological Travellers of Great Britain and Ireland, admission to which depended on having a national reputation.
The club consists of some of the most prominent academic and NHS consultants in the speciality with one or occasionally more representatives from each of the main academic centres in the British Isles.
James Henry Kennedy was born on April 23, 1949, a second son to Dr Hugh and Nancy Kennedy. They lived in Pollokshields, Glasgow.
Jimmy started at the High School of Glasgow in the summer of 1954 after a year at Dairsie House in Newlands, and it was immediately obvious he was special in many ways. Strong and athletic, he especially took to rugby and was a born leader. He captained each team every year and, as he progressed through the lower senior school, managed to have a three-year unbeaten run.
Academically, he was well above average; he and his class-mates bypassed primary seven to go straight into form 1, which meant competing against boys considerably more senior. Jimmy kept an accurate diary of every game and score while captain, and since he was not fazed by the age gap, he was selected to captain the first XV, largely consisting of boys one year older than himself. He also captained the first XI cricket team and became the school vice-captain.
After going up to Glasgow University he continued rugby with the High School FPS and cricket at the Clydesdale CC. He was capped for Scotland four times in 1970-71, with perhaps his most memorable sporting moment being against the MCC when he took the wicket of their then captain, Mike Denness. His competitive spirit, love of good company and organisational skills made him a perfect choice as a founder member of the Puma Stones Curling Club in 1975.
Jimmy met Hilary in 1964 at Warren’s School of Ballroom Dancing, Glasgow, and they married in Orchardhill Parish Church on
July 10, 1973. They went on to have two children, Craig and Gillian.
Jimmy was very close to all of his family; he saw a great deal of his grandchildren, Calum and Robbie, and via modern technology kept closely in touch with two others, Eilidh and Sam, in Australia.
The family spent many happy holidays in Elie, Fife, and became involved with local matters. He was a member of the Elie Golf House Club for many years. Over the last three decades he was a very keen salmon angler, through the family’s connection with the River Shiel in Ardnamurchan. A generous host, he was very tolerant of the limited abilities of his guests. Latterly, Jimmy and Hilary had a house just outside Acharacle, where they spent as much time as possible.
An organiser par excellence, he took over organising his medical year’s regular reunions in Dunkeld and each was meticulously prepared and, as a result, each was a great success, not least due to his witty presentations in rhyme. His attention to detail was also exemplified by his daily completion of The Herald crossword.
A Scotland cricketing cap, his most memorable sporting moment was against the MCC when he took the wicket of captain Mike Denness