Dr . Tobin has been a consummate teammate and strong proponent of academic and clinical research in the Louisville community , and he faithfully joined the Kleinert hand transplant team on the first hand transplant and others . He was actually an essential member of the vascularized composite allo-transplant team and started a team to study the safety of face transplants . He was a pioneer .
Over the years , Dr . Tobin deservedly received many honors and awards for humanitarian efforts , distinguished service and teaching including : the Fitzbutler Award , Excellence in Humanitarian Service Award , UofL Presidents Award ( twice ), Golden Apple Teaching Award , Alumnus Merit Award , Leonard Tow Service Award , Ephraim McDowell Physician of the Year , Bradford Cannon Award from the American Association of Plastic Surgeons , Plastic Surgery Teaching awards , and several others . He was a well-regarded leader in medicine in our community and state-wide and was uniquely voted President of both GLMS and the KMA , which is an achievement rarely accomplished . He never spoke of these accomplishments and awards and I only knew of them from reading his resume periodically . He was so humble .
He was such an inspiration to the whole plastic surgery program and community for his dedication , conscientiousness , creativity , intuitiveness and hard work . He came to almost all of our conferences routinely to share his pearls of wisdom . In conferences and in the operating room he constantly preached “ cost containment ” and would uniquely teach this in the OR , by having residents complete closures with his approach , using only one extremely long suture to illustrate his commitment to cost containment , and using this one and only one suture to the very last inch . We call it “ Tobin-ing ” the suture , it ’ s very technically challenging to tie square knots on a suture that is that short . He could do it . He could do it well . He was the “ Master Surgeon .” The OR nurses can testify to Dr . Tobin ’ s cost-conscious ways , and they knew not to open anything unless confirming with Dr . Tobin first . He was cost conscious . taught the residents that plastic surgeons are expected to be “ true masters of surgery from head to toe .” Appropriately , the residents actually called Dr . Tobin , “ the Master Surgeon .” Dr . Tobin was the cornerstone of the UofL Plastic Surgery academic program for almost 50 years : he did so much .
Gordon was a consummate true gentleman , total team player and could always be relied on for support and sound advice . It was an honor to work with him for the last 17 years and I already miss him so dearly . We enjoyed many afternoons discussing complex cases , bureaucracy and philosophies . We enjoyed many dinners over journal club topics and events . So many surgeons have reached out to me to share their condolences and sorrow for our loss , and also praise and celebration of his many prized accomplishments . He was loved by all .
Despite all these accomplishments what really mattered to Dr . Tobin , was family . Dr . Tobin always glowed and beamed when anyone asked about his children and family . He was so very proud of his wife Elisabeth and her PhD in microbiology , and their children Christopher and Anne-Elise . He loved his wife and family dearly . He loved spending time with them and the holidays , and perhaps most of all their Fourth of July family cook-off contests . He will be so missed .
Dr . Tobin was THE quintessential professor , THE master surgeon , THE selfless humanitarian and above all “ a man of virtue .” His legacy is colossal , his contributions momentous , his influence bold and ever present in our minds and hearts , forever . Rest in peace Dr . Gordon Tobin . RIP .
-Bradon Wilhelmi , MD
When it was his turn to present grand rounds lectures , his lectures were always the most informative and entertaining . He was a skilled writer and eloquent speaker in the mold of a TRUE PROFESSOR . He did so much for the plastic surgery team , clinically and academically , and also relished teaching and mentoring the residents and students , in clinical work and research . He
Dr . Tobin was a GLMS member for 45 years and served as President in 2003-2004 . He was passionate about serving at SOS and The Healing Place , and was a strong advocate within our Policy & Advocacy Team , diligently serving as a KMA Delegate for many years .
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