“A huge loss to the cardiology community”: Tributes paid to Prof David Foley

Tributes have been paid to David Foley, professor of Interventional Cardiology at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, who passed away on 16 January following illness.

Colleagues described him as a hugely valued and charismatic member of the international cardiology community. He is survived by a wife, Oonagh, and two children.

Among those to pay tribute were James Nolan (University Hospital North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, UK), who penned a personal eulogy to Professor Foley, which was shared among members of the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society (BCIS).

Describing a personal and professional relationship that spanned nearly 30 years, Nolan wrote: “In his professional life, David was a devoted teacher and mentor to many cardiologists, both junior and senior. He was active in clinical research with an extensive track record of highly-cited publications, and was in demand around the world as an expert speaker on the conference circuit. His opinion was always valued and his endearing ability to cut through indecision and uncertainty always respected and appreciated.”

Nolan added that over the course of his career, many patients had benefited from Foley’s interventional skills, describing him as, not only a skilled technician, but also a great communicator, “with an engaging personality and this was an important part of his clinical skillset.”

In a statement on its website, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Dublin, said: “His legacy is enormous. In terms of the care that he provided to patients, no effort was too much. His exacting standards served as a benchmark for the rest of us. Following the successful trail he blazed at the Thoraxcenter in Rotterdam, his impact in inspiring a generation of cardiology trainees to pursue specialist training at centres of excellence in continental Europe will be lasting. He was the most remarkable Irish cardiologist of his generation.”

His loss has also been felt outside of the cardiology community, with Clontarf Lawn Tennis Club—of which he was a long-standing member—also expressing “great sadness” at the news of his passing.