Dr. Ian MacMorran

Dr. MacMorran died on December 24, 2012 in Palm Desert, Calif. Ian grew up in Winnipeg, Canada, son of the late Annie Joanna and William R. MacMorran. Left to remember him are his daughter Kristin Jean, his son William Scott (Anh Thu Bui), precious granddaughter Sao Mai, sister Joann, special friend and traveling companion Carol Heppenstall, cousins Jim and Jean Hinkson, and Scott and Anita Bomberger. Ian was known to be an adventurous spirit with a vivid imagination, tackling jobs from being a lumberjack in northern Canada, to teaching, and ultimately to becoming an orthopedic surgeon, since his grandfather and one of his aunts were physicians, his mother and sister were nurses, wasn't surprising. He graduated from Gordon Bell High in Winnipeg, Franklin & Marshall College in Pa., and University of Manitoba, School of Medicine. He served his internship at St. Vincent's Hospital, N.Y., where daughter Kristin Jean was born, and his residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Fla., studying under Dr. G. Sarmiento, and where son William Scott was born. Ian was a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon (also Fellow of the Canadian Royal College of Orthopedic Surgeons) specializing in Hand Surgery. He was married to Francis Solmundson. Through private practice in Penticton he performed trauma and reconstructive surgery, including total hip replacements at the regional hospital when this type of surgery was only done routinely at major medical centers. He served as team physician for the B.C. Lions Football Training Camp for 4 years. Active in the community, he was founder of the Penticton Amputee Clinic, and developed the Okanogan Neurological Society, a team of professionals who worked with handicapped children. In 1982 the family moved to San Diego where Ian provided medical evaluations for disability & treatment serving San Diego and other cities around California. In 1997, jointly with his business partner of 15 years, Aurelia Koby, he co-founded IMAK Products Corp., an orthopedic products company, where he invented, and patented, the first night splint to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome. He participated in designing many other patented products that provided pain relief for people across the world. Despite many obstacles in his own life, Ian was always eager to help people, patients and friends alike. He often hosted long-term guests at his home in Point Loma, including a physician from Beijing, Dr. James Mu, whom his son Bill met when on a trip to China, and Dr. Heidi Danzinger Johnston, both of whom pursued medical educational goals at UCSD. Upon retiring, Ian moved to Palm Desert's Atria Hacienda, a senior community at which he enjoyed the warm friendship of many of his peers. He often joined his friend Carol on adventures in the Canadian Arctic, the Pacific Northwest and Europe. He loved summers in Grand Beach, Canada, where he, Carol and sister Joann spent much of their time. For the last few years, while living at "The Atria Hacienda" in Palm Desert he received special support and care from a host of health care providers. We wish to thank the staff for their many kindnesses and superb nursing care. Dr. Nina Maw Maw of Eisenhower Hospital in whose care he finally arrived was a committed and loving clinician. The staff on 3 East, particularly the RN's and caregivers made Ian's brief hospital stay so comfortable and relieved of pain and anxiety. Ian's wish was to die at home and to that end we wish to thank the expert services of Megan and her staff at Charter Hospice and Mandy and her caregivers at Custom Care Solutions who provided round the clock loving care to Ian in the comfort of his home. The professional staff at the Atria were on hand 24 hours a day with comfort and support. A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church, Palm Desert on Saturday, January 5, 2013. For time of the service, please call the rectory at 760-346-6502 or visit the website: sacredheartpalmdesert.com. In memory of Ian, tax-deductible donations may be made to the 'MacMorran Family Legacy Fund' to promote nursing and medical education and achievement through the Winnipeg Foundation at 877-974-3631 or online www.wpgfdn.org. Donation checks may be mailed to: Winnipeg Foundation, 1 Lombard Place #1350, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0X3 Canada.