in 1959, james was appointed consultant physician at london's royal northern hospital and shortly after, began a specialist sarcoidosis clinic, which attracted rheumatologists from around the world. the clinics provided an abundance of people with the disease with referrals from around the country and carried out a number of clinical trials. his registrar at the time, alimuddin zumla, later described james as "an excellent teacher...if you listened to his lectures you would never forget them. he had a way of imparting knowledge that was special". james also encouraged a multidisciplinary approach in order to better understand the disease and according to zumla, was intrigued by the mystery that surrounded sarcoidosis, a rare long-term disease with an unknown cause. "gerry liked challenges", said zumla.