Moira Tobin Wickes biography
Moira Tobin Wickes had a smiling face that could never
be forgotten after a visit through Children's Memorial Hospital. Moira began her
career at the hospital in 1977 as a volunteer in the child psychology
department, and shortly thereafter transferred to the physical therapy
department.
Moira received her bachelor of science in biology from Mundelein College in
1978. She then became an aide in the physical therapy department where she
assisted the therapists in splinting patients. In typical Moira fashion there
was always more good work to be done, and she continued with her education. In
1982 she received her Certificate in Orthotics from Northwestern University, and
in 1986 Moira started the orthotics department.
Moira's ability to comfort families and put them at ease, while providing the
best medial care possible earned her the Julia Porter Award for excellence in
patient care. After many years of dedication to helping children and their
families, Moira along with Mary Weck, PT, and Issac Tolliver, orthotic
technician, started the nationally renowned below knee serial casting program in
1992. Moira's tireless energy and dedication was largely responsible for
the success of the program that received deserved recognition and was featured
in a PBS documentary on medical pioneers.
By 1998, with Moira as the director, orthotics had grown to an independent
department. The department is now staffed with 6 orthotists, 1 prosthetist, 2
residents, 8 technicians, and 2 administrative assistants. Along with her
family, our staff, patients, and families lost Moira on March 10, 2003 to
non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphoma. Moira was supportive and guided her staff up to
the end. In the winter of 2004, after 25 years of dedication to her peers and
patients, the orthotics department was officially named the Moira Tobin Wickes
Orthotics Program. Moira was one of a few who were able to achieve such amazing
career accomplishments while balancing it with being a loving wife and
outstanding mother of five boys.