Latest Blogs

Below is a list of blogs written by ACPA members and the National Office Team.

If you are interested in writing a blog, please email Alyssa Kirkman for more information.

*Disclaimer-The American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association claims no responsibility for the content published by others on its web site. Published content does not imply endorsement of the organization or the content of the meetings.

Schedule for ACPA's 76th Annual Meeting - April 9-13, 2019 in Tucson, AZ

By Jessica Kokos posted 5 days ago
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The Schedule for ACPA's 76th Annual Meeting is now available. This schedule is tentative and subject to change. Please visit the website for additional information. Join ACPA now to qualify for member rates to the meeting. Meeting registration opens in January 2019.   Tuesday April 9 8:00 AM 4:30 PM Pre-Conference Symposium : Cultural Competence – The Whole Team Treating the Whole Patient* This one-day session will focus on cultural competence and its impact on the delivery of services while emphasizing cultural, linguistic and social needs of patients and families. Breaks sponsored by: KLS Martin 8:00 AM 5:00 PM ...
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ACPA Publication: Help with Hearing

By Alexis Giannattasio posted 8 days ago
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Help with Hearing is a recently revised ACPA booklet that provides information about the associated hearing issues possible when a cleft palate or other craniofacial difference is present. With updated content and a new design, this resource walks patients and families through every step of the way with hearing, from birth to treatment. Families often ask, “Why do children born with a cleft palate have middle ear problems?” Help with Hearing addresses this question and provides the following answer.  “The muscles of the soft palate are responsible for opening the Eustachian tube. When a child is born with a cleft palate, these muscles may not open the ...
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Join Your Colleagues at ACPA's Annual Meeting in Tucson

By Jessica Kokos posted 10 days ago
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Join your cleft and craniofacial care colleagues for ACPA’s 76th Annual Meeting , April 9-13, 2019 at The Westin La Paloma in Tucson, Arizona. Attendees will learn from colleagues across multiple disciplines, explore advances in research, clinical and team-driven care, and discuss new and old ideas with those experienced in the field. ACPA welcomes all who are interested in cleft care. ACPA’s Annual Meeting is a general scientific meeting with over 300 presentations. The program includes general and concurrent specialty sessions, poster sessions, panel presentations, and short courses including eye openers, study sessions, and advanced courses. The ...
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Pre-Order Your ACPA Cleft Courage Bear Today

By Catherine Choi posted 12 days ago
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ACPA is excited to introduce the Cleft Courage Bear in 2019. This new design – custom-made by GUND®, Inc. with stitches across the upper lip – is infant-friendly, washable, and made from high-quality plush fabric. ACPA Cleft Courage Bears fill a special role in each home, from cuddling a child on a stressful surgery day to bringing a smile to a challenging teenage time. These special bears provide unique emotional support for children and families, helping them express and navigate feelings about themselves, facial differences and the treatment process. Pre-order your bear today by filling out an ACPA Cleft Courage Bear Order Form. For more information ...
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First CPCJ Podcast: Predicting Adverse Perioperative Events in Patients Undergoing Primary Cleft Palate Repair

By Alyssa Kirkman posted 15 days ago
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In this inaugural podcast, Oksana A. Jackson is interviewed about her article, "Predicting Adverse Perioperative Events in Patients Undergoing Primary Cleft Palate Repair" published in volume 55 issue 4 of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal . This study aimed to identify risk factors for adverse perioperative events (APEs) after cleft palatoplasty to develop an individualized risk assessment tool. In conclusion, APE incidence was 23.0% after palatoplasty, with a 37-fold higher incidence in extreme-risk patients. Individualized risk assessment tools may enhance perioperative clinical decision making to mitigate complications. Click here ...
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Scholarship Profile: Jarrod

By Catherine Choi posted 19 days ago
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Jarrod, 2018 ACPA College Scholarship Recipient, studies Marketing and Management at Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania. Having an extensive background with hospitals, surgeries, and cleft-palate-related procedures, Jarrod gained an optimistic personality and a passion for team care. Inspired by his own team of providers, Jarrod hopes to use his education to give back to the cleft-craniofacial community at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh). In his scholarship application essay, Jarrod share a few life lessons he learned throughout his cleft journey: “If I had to give one piece of advice or reassurance ...
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Happy Thanksgiving from ACPA

By Alexis Giannattasio posted 24 days ago
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From all of us at the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, we extend our greatest appreciation to you for your support in the cleft-craniofacial community and we send you our best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving.   The ACPA National Office will be closed November 22-23.
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Member News: Steinberg

By Rachel Simon posted 26 days ago
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ACPA Member Dr. Jordan Steinberg was featured in the article, “Taking on a “Giant” Giant Cell Granuloma . The article tells the story of his patient, 4-year-old Shivaya, who was diagnosed with a central giant cell granuloma after experiencing extreme pain in her jaw. “What it turned out to be, after workups at hospitals in northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., was a central giant cell granuloma, not a malignant cancer but an aggressive tumor that was eating away her right jawbone and now beginning to inflict substantial pain. Searching for a treatment for this rare tumor, Aarti and her husband consulted with and visited children’s hospitals up and down ...
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Ways to Give During ACPA’s Fall Campaign

By Michael Friel posted 29 days ago
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ACPA’s Fall Campaign is an opportunity for you to give back and make a difference in the cleft and craniofacial community. From members to families, your generous contributions promote the mission of ACPA by furthering education, support, advocacy, research, and interdisciplinary team care. As the holiday season approaches, we ask you to consider giving in one of the following ways: Donate online Shop with Amazon Smile and select the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association as your charitable organization. Become a recurring donor by joining ACPA’s monthly giving program. Join by mail, telephone (919-933-9044) or online . Double ...
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ACPA's Annual Meeting in Tucson - April 9-13, 2019

By Jessica Kokos posted 11-14-2018
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You are invited to attend ACPA’s 76th Annual Meeting , April  9-13, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. This is the meeting for cleft and craniofacial professionals. Here is everything you need to know to start planning your trip. Location. Tucson is home to unique attractions and a vibrant arts and culture scene - it's a place that’s authentic and comfortable. While in town, we encourage you to set aside some time to take in the city sights. Learn more about Tucson. Hotel. ACPA’s 76th Annual Meeting will take place at The Westin La Paloma in Tucson, Arizona. Rooms are $195 for ACPA’s 76th Annual Meeting. This rate is per night and does not include ...
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Issue 55.10 of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal is now available

By ACPA posted 11-12-2018
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The new issue of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal (CPCJ) is now available. All ACPA Members receive a free subscription to CPCJ - just log-in to your ACPA account to access the online version.   Not a member and want journal access?  Join now ($240 for 2018 National Active Membership) or purchase an individual subscription ($324 for print and e-access). #CleftProud: A Content Analysis and Online Survey of 2 Cleft Lip and Palate Facebook Groups Nicola Marie Stock, Dphil, Anna Martindale, Claire Cunniffe Comparative Analysis of Three-Dimensional Nasal Shape of Casts from Patients With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Treated at Two Institutions ...
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ACPA Publications for Patients and Families

By Alexis Giannattasio posted 11-09-2018
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ACPA Family Services offers information and resources about cleft and craniofacial care for patients, individuals and families. From booklets to fact sheets, our publications cover a variety of topics including school age support, craniofacial syndromes, treatment and care, various life stages and more. Ranging in page length, our collection of booklets takes an in-depth look at cleft and craniofacial care. With titles such as Prenatal Diagnosis and Information for Adults , there is an applicable subject for every step of your journey. Much shorter than the multi-page booklets, our one to two-page fact sheets also provide educational information for ...
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Bella’s Art: My Cleft Palate Story

By Alexis Giannattasio posted 10-31-2018
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Art: My Cleft Palate Story Artist: Bella Age: 12 About the Art: Bella combines just the right amount of humor and action in her depiction of her cleft journey. Featuring classic black and white illustrations, Bella’s character narrates an entire comic strip as she walks readers through her journey from birth to middle school. “I drew a comic about ‘my cleft journey’ because it was about from the time I was little to the present,” Bella said. Like Bella, everyone has a story. Continue sharing your art with us on the ACPA Family Services Website. We can’t wait to share your work with the community! #FamilyServices #A
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ACPA Announces 2019 Election Results

By Erin Mallis posted 10-29-2018
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ACPA is pleased to announce the results of the election for the 2019 Board of Directors. The newly elected representatives will begin their terms on January 1, 2019. The newly elected ACPA Officers and Board Members are: President-Elect: Patricia A. Beals, DMD, MS Vice President-Elect: John A. Girotto, MD, MMA, FAAP, FACS Communications Officer: Jamie L. Perry, PhD, CCC-SLP Board Member: Kelly Nett Cordero, PhD, CCC-SLP Board Member: Canice E. Crerand, PhD For more information on ACPA and the Board of Directors, please visit the ACPA website . #ACP
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Upcoming Webinars

By ACPA posted 10-22-2018
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Check out  the webinars ACPA has coming in the next couple of months. Register at least 10 days before the webinar and use code EARLYBIRD to receive the discounted rate. Upcoming webinars include: Promoting Positive Psychosocial Outcomes in Craniofacial Team Care October 24, 1:00 PM ET. CE will be available. Register. Ethical Issues in Cleft Care October 29, 2018, 10:00 AM ET.  CE will be available. Register. Contemporary Management of the Alveolar Cleft in Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate November 2, 2018, 12:00 PM ET.  CE will be available. Register . Manuscript Preparation and Submission For The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial ...
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New ACPA Publication: Submucous Cleft Palate

By Alexis Giannattasio posted 10-19-2018
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A submucous cleft palate is an opening in the muscles of the soft palate, beneath a thin layer of tissue (mucous membrane). ACPA Family Services published a new booklet, Submucous Cleft Palate, that provides information about this type of cleft from the first sign of symptoms to treatment and care. According to the booklet, a submucous cleft palate is best diagnosed by looking at a combination of signs and symptoms. Take a look at a few of the signs below listed in Submucous Cleft Palate. A person with a submucous cleft palate may have a normal looking palate. It is possible, though, that he or she may have any or all of the following signs: ...
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Building Community with the CleftStrong 5k

By Catherine Choi posted 10-17-2018
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The 2018 CleftStrong 5K was October 13 in San Antonio, Texas.  The 5 th Annual event is an opportunity for the local community – and virtual racers from around the country – to come together to support those born with cleft lip/palate and other craniofacial conditions, with all proceeds benefiting the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. Despite the rain, attendees arrived early for the race, dressed for the 80s theme in vivid colors, exotic headbands, layered socks and neon leggings.  It was amazing to see everyone coming together to race and have fun. View photos from the 2018 CleftStrong 5K Purple Carpet. ACPA Executive Director Wendy-Jo ...
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Member News: Dailey, Smith

By Alyssa Kirkman posted 10-15-2018
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ACPA is proud to share news about members Francis Smith and Scott Dailey. CU Anschutz Scientist Shares New Book On Challenges & Tenacity "Everyone walks a different path in life, but very few have a similar story to Dr. Francis Joel Smith. He was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a condition which develops during pregnancy and affects facial formation. Smith’s birth parents gave him up for adoption. Two parents, who taught him about faith and believing in himself, adopted Smith. His recently released book about his life outlines the challenges he has faced and overcome with tenacity. He is now an PhD Scientist at CU Anschutz, a world renowned speaker ...
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Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment in Adults - Kris's Story

By Alyssa Kirkman posted 10-10-2018
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In the United States, it is unusual--but not unheard of--for a child born with a cleft lip and palate to go untreated into adulthood. In this case, a male patient, known as Kris was unable to undergo all the corrective surgeries that would typically be performed on a child with a cleft lip and palate. “I was born with a cleft lip and palate, due to personal circumstances that happened in my teens I wasn’t able to finish all of the corrective surgeries that would typically happen with a cleft patient.” The good news is it’s never too late to treat a cleft lip and palate--even late into adulthood. “Finally, when I was 33 years old, I decided to consult ...
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Issue 55.9 of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal is now available

By ACPA posted 10-08-2018
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The new issue of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal (CPCJ) is now available. All ACPA Members receive a free subscription to CPCJ - just log-in to your ACPA account to access the online version.   Not a member and want journal access?  Join now ($240 for 2018 National Active Membership) or purchase an individual subscription ($324 for print and e-access). Patterns of Orofacial Clefting in New York City From 1983 to 2010: Trends by Racial Background, Birthplace, and Public Health Strategies Sydney C. Butts, MD, Simone Reynolds, MPH, PhD, Lyuba Gitman, MD, Prayag Patel, MD, Michael Joseph, MPH, PhD Opioid Sparing in Cleft Palate Surgery ...
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