John Stoke
John Charles Jamieson Stoke FFOM, FAFOM, FAFPHM, MCCM MBBS, DIH (1928–2000) was a pioneer in Occupational Medicine in New Zealand, with influence in the Asia/Pacific region.[1] He was Director of Public Health in New Zealand from 1986 to 1987. Some of the details in this article are drawn from notes that he had made in preparation for an autobiography.
Early life and education
John was born on 14 August 1928, in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England, on the north side of the Thames Estuary. John's father was the son of Polish immigrants who came to England under a church sponsorship scheme in the 1880s. His mother was the daughter of a Scots marine engineer, whose clan (the Jamiesons) came from the area south of Glasgow. His parents met (in London) through church activities and married in 1918. His parents settled in Leigh-on-Sea, close to the mouth of the Thames Estuary.
His upbringing was heavily influenced by three main factors. These were a very strong Presbyterian set of values, his father's work ethic, and the great depression. He remembered going to church and Sunday school and being forced to read books when he wanted to go out and to play. He also clearly remembered the day his father came home from work and told the family that his salary had been cut by 20% as a result of the depression.
When WW2 broke out, the family had to move from Essex for safety reasons, and went to live in Surrey. John had gained a scholarship and went to school at the King Edward 6th Grammar School in Guildford. In 1943, the family returned to Leigh-on-Sea, and John attended the local grammar school – Westcliff.
He sat his matriculation exam in 1944 and repeatedly the exams were interrupted by air raid warnings and trips to the air raid shelters at the school. He passed with distinction in history, Latin, and maths.
In 1946, John was accepted for medical training at St Bartholomew's Hospital in the heart of London. He travelled each day by train from the family home – and recalls walking from the London station to the College past heaps of rubble as high as four-storey buildings, and big holes where bombs and land mines had fallen.
The Zimbabwe years
After graduating John did "house appointments" in hospitals (1952–53), and then became a Surgeon Lieutenant in the Royal Navy (1953–57). During this time John met Bernice and they were married in 1954.
In 1958, they moved to Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). John initially worked as a general practitioner in rural areas. During this time that he became involved in leprosy work. He trained locals in leprosy treatment, with the result that the leper colonies became unnecessary.
After a period as a GP in Salisbury (Harare), John became Senior Medical Officer in the Royal Rhodesian Air Force, and the family moved to Gwelo (Gweru). It was during this time that he developed his interest in Occupational and Preventive Medicine.
In 1969 the family returned to Salisbury, and John became a lecturer in Preventive Medicine at the University of Rhodesia, where he worked until 1976. In 1975 he returned to England on sabbatical, and did post-graduate work in Occupational Medicine.
During this time the political situation in Rhodesia was deteriorating. Faced with the prospect that his elder sons would soon be drafted into the army, he decided to migrate. After applying for several positions around the world, he was offered a position in New Zealand.
The New Zealand years
In 1976, the family migrated to New Zealand, leaving behind the two eldest boys to complete their university studies – Mike in Cape Town and Alan in Salisbury. They settled in Paraparaumu. John initially was Senior Medical Officer with the Ministry of Transport, and then joined the Ministry of Health, with responsibility for Occupational Health.
In 1981 he undertook a World Health Organisation (WHO) fellowship, studying the effect of political and socioeconomic systems on occupational health. The four-month fellowship included visits to Canada, USA, Eire, United Kingdom, USSR and Sweden.
In 1986 he was appointed Director of Public Health in New Zealand. During this time he also did some lecturing in community health at the Wellington branch of Otago Medical School, and was active in the Asia/Pacific branch of the WHO.
In 1987, complications from cataract surgery resulted in his retirement from the Ministry of Health. After some months of convalescence, his vision improved sufficiently for him to work again, and he was appointed co-ordinator of the Occupational Health Task Force of the National Health Institute. He retired again in 1989.
John's work with the World Health Organisation continued after his retirement. He undertook assignments in Western Pacific, China, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea.
He died unexpectedly on 27 July 2000, in Auckland.
In 2001 ANZSOM (NZ) - The Australia & New Zealand Society of Occupational Medicine - inaugurated The John Stoke Medal in his honour, as a way of recognising special contributions to occupational medicine by one of its members.
Tertiary education
| Year | School | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 1946–1952 | St Bartholomew's Hospital, London | M.B.B.S (medicine and surgery) |
| 1975 | University of London | O.I.H. (occupational health) |
| 1980 | Royal College of Physicians, London | M.F.O.M. (occupational health) |
| 1980 | M.C.C.M. (NZ) | Community medicine |
| 1982 | Australian College of Occupational Medicine | F.A.C.OM. (occupational health) |
| 1983 | Royal College of Physicians, London | F.F.O.M. (occupational health) |
Positions held
| Years | Position | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1952–1953 | House appointments | UK |
| 1953–1957 | Surgeon Lieutenant Royal Navy (mainly General Medicine – hospital appointments in R.N.H. Hospitals Plymouth and Portland and Occupational Medicine-Medical Officer 42 Commando) | UK (Service in Middle East) |
| 1958–1965 | General Medicine with some Occupational Medicine | Zimbabwe |
| 1965–1968 | Senior Medical Officer and Specialist in Aviation Medicine Royal Rhodesian Air Force | Zimbabwe |
| 1969–1976 | Senior Lecturer, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine University of Zimbabwe. (The Medical School was initially part of the University of Birmingham UK to which appointments were also made) | Zimbabwe |
| 1976–1977 | Senior Medical Officer, Ministry of Transport | New Zealand. |
| 1977–1979 | Principal Medical Officer (Occupational Health) – one year, Assistant Director (Occupational Health) – one year, Division of Public Health, Department of Health | New Zealand. |
| 1980–1985 | Deputy Director (Occupational Health), Division of Public Health, Department of Health | New Zealand. |
| 1985–1987 | Director, Division of Public Health, Department of Health | New Zealand. |
| 1987–1989 | Co-ordinator, Occupational Health Task Force, National Health Institute, Kenepuru | New Zealand. |
| 1988–1991 | Private consultancy | New Zealand |
| 1990–1995 | Director Training Programme, New Zealand College of Community Medicine |
Appointments
| Years | Position |
|---|---|
| 1969–1976 | Honorary Secretary, Rhodesian Society of Occupational Health |
| 1970–1975 | Member Rhodesian Occupational Safety Council |
| 1971–1972 | Chairman, Rhodesian Occupational Safety Council |
| 1977–1984 | Honorary Lecturer Department of Community Health, Wellington School of Medicine, University of Otago |
| 1980 | Temporary Adviser to World Health Organisation (Western Pacific Region) on Leptospirosis |
| 1981 | World Health Organisation Fellowship |
| 1981–1985 | Member of Board of Censors, New Zealand College of Community Medicine |
| 1982–1985 | Member of Council, New Zealand College of Community Medicine |
| 1982–1984 | Member, World Health Organisation Panel of Experts on Public Health, Biomedical Services, and Education |
| 1984–1991 | Chairman Aviation Medical Appeal Board |
| 1984–1998 | Member, World Health Organisation Panel of Experts on Occupational Health |
| 1985–1988 | Member Health Services Committee, Medical Research Council |
| 1985 | Chairman, World Health Organisation Review Committee on "Occupational Health-Problems in Agriculture" |
| 1986 | Chairman, World Health Organisation (Western Pacific Region) Review Committee on "Occupational Health Services to Small Industries" |
| 1989 | World Health Organisation (Western Pacific Region) Consultant in Occupational Health to The Peoples Republic of China |
| 1990–1992 | World Health Organisation (Western Pacific Region) Consultant in Occupational Health to the Government of Papua New Guinea |
| 1991 | Rapporteur, World Health Organisation (Western Pacific Region) Regional Working Group on Occupational Health |
| 1991 | Convenor, Working Party, Medical and Industrial Issues for Ministerial Committee on Asbestos |
| 1991–1992 | Member Medical Council |
| 1991–1992 | Chairman Physiotherapy Board |
| 1991–1992 | Chairman Occupational Therapy Board |
| 1994 | World Health Organisation (Western Pacific Region) Consultant to the Government of Vietnam |
Societies
| Society | Role |
|---|---|
| International Commission on Occupational Health | Member |
| International Association of Agricultural Medicine and Rural Health | Vice-President (from 1984) |
| Asian Association of Occupational Health | Vice-President (1982–1985) |
| Australian and New Zealand Society of Occupational Medicine | President (1981–1983) |
| Society of Occupational Medicine | Member |
| British Occupational Hygiene Society | Member |
Publications, awards and citations
During his lifetime, Stoke published many papers and articles in a wide variety of journals, and gained a number of awards. Among these is one called the Purkinje Medal from the Czechoslovakian Medical Academy; the citation on the certificate accompanying this is in Latin so the circumstances under which he was awarded this are not known.
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 1976 | Fellow Rhodesian Society of Occupational Health. |
| 1976 | Harry Allen Award by Royal Aeronautical Society, Salisbury Branch. |
| 1984 | Purkinje Medal – Czechoslovakian Medical Academy. |
He is commemorated by an eponymous medal that is presented annually by the New Zealand branch of ANZSOM to a physician who has displayed leadership in Occupational Medicine.
Publications in refereed journals
| Title | Publication | Issue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| A case of Glandular Fever with Pulmonary Complications | Journal of Royal Naval Medical Service | 43 : 3 : 164–165 | 1957 |
| Commentary on a Conference on Student Health | South African Medical Journal | 46 : 1840–1841 | 1972 |
| The Student's Dilemma : Black Magic or White Medicine | Proceedings of British Student Health Association | 1973 : 68–77 | 1974 |
| The Prevention of Malnutrition | Proceedings of British Student Health Association | 1975 : 53–61 | 1976 |
| Captafol Dermatitis in the Timber Industry | Contact Dermatitis | 5 : 284–292 | 1979 |
| Epidemiology of Leptospirosis in Dairy Farm Workers in the Manawatu | New Zealand Veterinary Journal | 28 245–250 | 1980 |
| Agricultural Chemicals – How Their Potential Hazards are Controlled | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine | 11 3 338 | 1981 |
| Agricultural Chemicals : How Their Potential Hazards are Controlled in New Zealand | Agricultural Medicine and Rural Health | 9 1: 12–16 | 1984 |
| Health For All by the Year 2000 – Achieving the Goal | New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy | 12: 2 : 30(c)32 | 1984 |
| Repetitive Strain Injury | New Zealand Medical Journal | 98 : 783 : 601(c)602 | 1985 (with Bury H.C.) |
| Occupational Health (c) Why, Wherefore and Whither | New Zealand Health Review | 6 : 2-:3 | 1986 |
| Accidents (c) A Major Public Health Problem | Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health | 1 : 3 : 79(c)85 | 1987 |
| Occupational Health ; Important or Irrelevant? | New Zealand Hospital | 48 : 7 : 2–5 | 1988 |
| The Provision of Occupational Health Services in Agriculture | Agricultural Medicine and Rural Health | 14 : 1 : 9-11 | 1990 |
| Problems in Agricultural Health | Agricultural Medicine and Rural Health | 14 : 1 : 12–16 | 1990 |
| Ergonomics and Psychosocial Problems | Agricultural Medicine and Rural Health | 15 : 1 : 16–23 | 1991 |
| Health for All by the Year 2000 in Rural Areas – A Challenge | Agricultural Medicine and Rural Health | 19 : 1:11–18 | 1995 |
Publications in other journals
| Title | Publication | Issue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Groups in Rhodesia | The Central African Journal of Medicine | Vol 12 no 4 | April 1966 |
| The Cervical Headache | Central African Journal of Medicine | Vol 13 no 11 | November 1967 |
| The Student Health Service: University of Rhodesia | The Central African Journal of Medicine | Vol 16 no 11 | November 1970 |
| Swimmer's Nose | The Central African Journal of Medicine | Vol 17 no 11 | November 1971 |
| Danger: food handlers at work | Occupational Health, the journal of the Rhodesian Society of Occupational Health | Vol 1 no 2 | April 1974 |
| The age of noise | Occupational Health, the journal of the Rhodesian Society of Occupational Health | Vol 1 no 3 | July 1974 |
| The Contribution of Medicine to Aviation | Speech to RSOM | February 1975 | |
| Plumbism in Rhodesia | The Central African Journal of Medicine | Vol 21 no 6 | Jun 1975 |
| Circadian Rhythm | Occupational Health, the journal of the Rhodesian Society of Occupational Health | Vol 2 no 4 | October 1975 |
| The fight for quiet | The Rhodesia Science News | Vol 9 no 11 | November 1975 |
| Occupational health hazards in dentistry | The Rhodesian Journal of Dentistry | No 2 | January 1975 |
| The contribution of medicine to aviation | Occupational Health, the journal of the Rhodesian Society of Occupational Health | Vol 3 no 1 | January 1976 |
| The East of Scotland Occupational Health Service | Occupational Health, the journal of the Rhodesian Society of Occupational Health | Vol 3 no 2 | April 1976 |
| Monitoring in Occupational Health | Occupational Health, the journal of the Rhodesian Society of Occupational Health | Vol 3 no 3 | July 1976 |
| The role of the Occupational Health Nurse | Occupational Health, the journal of the Rhodesian Society of Occupational Health | Vol 3 no 3 | July 1976 |
| Booze – a word in your ear | The Pilots View | Vol 15 no 3 | December 1976 |
| Prevention of malnutrition | Proceedings of British Student Health Association | Nottingham | July 1976 |
| Metal Fume Fever in Ferro-Chrome Workers | The Central African Journal of Medicine | Vol 23 no 2 | February 1977 |
| Industrial Hygiene Legislation | Occupational Health, the journal of the Rhodesian Society of Occupational Health | Vol 4 no 1 | January 1977 |
| What is your job? | Rhodesia Physiotherapy Association | No 3 | January 1977 |
| Drugs youth and society | The New Zealand nursing journal | July 1977 | |
| Uses and hazards of asbestos | Occupational Health, the journal of the Rhodesian Society of Occupational Health | Vol 4 no 4 | January 1978 |
| Captafol dermatitis in the timber industry | Contact Dermatitis | No 5 | 1979 |
| Undergraduate occupational health education at the University of Rhodesia | Occupational Health Australia & New Zealand | Vol 2 no 1 | February 1980 |
| Leptospirosis – a preventable occupational disease | Journal of the General Practitioner Society | No 49 | May 1982 |
| Occupational stress | NZ Occupational health nurse | Summer 1982 | |
| The future of occupational health in NZ | NZ Occupational health nurse | 1983 | |
| Health for all by the year 2000 – achieving the goal | NZ Journal of Physiotherapy | Vol 12 no 2 | Aug 1984 |
| Accidents: the modern plague | Labour and Employment Gazette | Vol 36 no 3 | September 1986 |
| Occupational health services in New Zealand: an overview | WHO report from the Regional seminar on Occupational Health Services in Small-Scale industries | Singapore | August 1986 |
| Occupational Health as related to Printing | The official journal of the New Zealand occupational health nurses association | No 16 | Winter 1986 |
| Occupational Health – Why, Wherefore and Whither | New Zealand Health Review | Vol 6 nos 2 & 3 | 1986 |
| The prevention of occupational lung disease in New Zealand | NZ Occupational health nurse | Vol 15 | Summer 1986 |
| Occupational health for all by the year 2000 – achieving the goal by the guidelines | The official journal of the New Zealand occupational health nurses association | Vol 5 no 17 | Summer 1987 |
| Occupational health in New Zealand: a review of the current situation | WHO report from the Regional Working Group on Occupational Health | Manila | March 1991 |
| Health for all by the year 2000 in rural areas – a challenge | Annals of Agricultural and Environmental medicine | Vol 1 no 2 | 1994 |
Co-author or citation
The public health implications of growth promoters in food (co-author with John Reeve)
Cited as a member of the Asbestos Advisory Committee (Convenor, Management and Disposal of Asbestos Working Party) in Report of the Asbestos Advisory Committee to the Minister of Labour, April 1991, and in Asbestos exposure and disease – notes for medical practitioners, July 1995
Acknowledged in Occupational Overuse Syndrome, Treatment and Rehabilitation – A Practitioner's Guide
He also contributed to many pamphlets issued by the New Zealand Department of Health, relating to occupational health matters.
Family
Wife: Bernice Josephine Stoke, 1928–2007. Children (with years of birth): Mike Stoke (1955), Alan Stoke (1957-2014), Stephen Stoke (1961), John Stoke (1962), Mark Stoke (1967)
References
- ↑ Agricultural Medicine & Rural Health, vol 20 no 1, 1996, page 10