January 1, 1978, he was Chairman of the Dept. of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the Univ. of Wash. In 1991 became Director of the Dept. of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins. Dr Cummings stepped down as Chairman in 2003 & is a Distinguished Service Professor and still cares for patients. He is the Executive Medical Director/Vice President for Johns Hopkins Medicine International. Dr Cummings wrote 142 scientific papers & is the senior editor of the 5-volume text Cummings Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, 4th edition. He has co-authored 2 surgical atlases, laryngeal surgery & surgical access & reconstruction. He served as Director of the American Board of Otolaryngology, Chairman of the Residency Review Committee & Chairman of the Advisory Council for Otolaryngology to the American College of Surgeons & Chief of Staff of the Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1997 to 1999 & serves on the Board of Directors of Johns Hopkins Medicine. He is a past president of the American Association for Academic Dept. of Otolaryngology, American Broncho-Esophagological Association, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, & American Society for Head & Neck Surgery.Interim Director of Dermatology  2007-2008;Interim Director of Orthopaedics 2011-2013.Johns Hopkins heritage Award 2010. Johns Hopkins Distinguished Medical Alumnus Award 2013.