In Memoriam: Luis R. Espinoza, MD: July 3, 1943–March 29, 2020

Dr. Luis R. Espinoza with his grandchildren.

Surrounded by his immediate family, Luis R. Espinoza, MD, died on March 29 after a prolonged illness. Luis (Lucho, as many of his close colleagues called him) was a dedicated mentor, distinguished researcher and role model to rheumatologists worldwide.

A native of Pisco, Perú, Luis graduated from the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in 1968. He then migrated to the U.S. where he completed his internship at Jersey City Medical Center and his training in internal medicine and rheumatology at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Mo., and McGill University Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Canada. After completing a post-doctoral fellowship at Rockefeller University, New York City, he returned to McGill for his first faculty position.

Luis was recruited to be an associate professor in the Division of Rheumatology at the University of South Florida School of Medicine in 1975. In 1990, he became professor and director of the Section of Rheumatology at the Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, a position he held until his untimely death.

In the days and the morning prior to his death, Luis was still taking calls from concerned patients, despite circumstances that would have crippled most. This reflects his dedication to his patients, who infused him with energy.

We (the authors) were fortunate to first work alongside him when we were a part of the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Rheumatology Specialty Board. His area of research on reactive arthritis was already well established. We’ll always remember his warnings about eating oysters and risking Vibrio parahaemolyticus diarrhea and potential reactive arthritis. (We still eat oysters, despite his warning.) This anecdote highlights his great sense of humor—subtle, and always with a message.

Luis dedicated tremendous energy to the Pan American League of Associations of Rheumatology (PANLAR). He was treasurer, secretary general and president of PANLAR between 2006 and 2010, Master of PANLAR in 2008, and president of the organizing committee for the upcoming PANLAR 2020 meeting.

Our next connection with him was when he called one of us (JVF) one evening to convince her to assume the role of PANLAR treasurer. The next four years were a rewarding experience for her, and she really appreciated his guidance during this volunteer commitment.

In the case of GSA, Luis asked her in the early 2000s to be in charge of the PANLAR Prize Selection Committee, which she agreed to do for a limited time; however, she remains on this temporary task to this day.

Much of Luis’ greatness was his quiet strength to engage, reassure and lead others. Luis was a prolific writer, having published more than 350 articles; more importantly, he helped his colleagues write. He would review manuscripts from trainees and colleagues and polish them for submission to journals. He was a regular reviewer for many scientific journals, served on multiple editorial boards and was most recently editor in chief of Clinical Rheumatology (2013–2019).

Luis was admired not only for his passion for the specialty of rheumatology, but also for his clinical research and teaching. He was a man of untouchable integrity, incredible work ethic, and significant modesty despite the many honors and academic achievements he obtained within and outside his institutions. His humility was woven within the fabric of his white coat, and he was a mentor for so many clinicians. He trained a cohort of more than 60 specialists who now practice in a number of countries—Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Perú, Uruguay, the U.S., among others—and who work with the dedication and integrity he inspired in them.

In 2006, the Peruvian National Academy of Medicine recognized his achievements by appointing him a Corresponding Member of the institution. In 2007, in recognition of his untiring and selfless efforts to assist his patients during Hurricane Katrina, the ACR bestowed on him the prestigious Paulding Phelps Service Award. A year later, he became a Master of the ACR. Other career achievements include: Master of the American College of Physicians (2010) and chair of the International League of Associations of Rheumatology (2010–2012).

He was married for more than 50 years to Carmen Espinoza, MD, a dermatopathologist. He is also survived by his daughter Gabriela, an ophthalmologist, his son Luis, an orthopedic surgeon, and five grandchildren.

His son, Luis, shared his father’s dedication to his role as husband, father and grandfather in these words, “As serious and stoic as my father was, you would see him light up with a tremendous smile anytime he was around his grandchildren. It was in those moments that I truly felt him most at ease and blissful.”

Luis’ untimely departure will be hard on many of us, but his values, his integrity and his teachings will stay with us as inspiration from his exemplary life.

Joan M. Von Feldt, MD, MSEd, is professor of medicine, emeritus, at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Graciela S. Alarcón, MD, MPH, MACR, is the Jane Knight Lowe Chair of Medicine in Rheumatology, emeritus, at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and a professor of medicine, emeritus, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú.