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.

Online Evaluation for ACPA's 76th Annual Meeting

By Alyssa Kirkman posted 2 days ago
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All attendees seeking CE must complete the online evaluation to receive credit. Click here to begin your evaluation. Use your ACPA account information to log-in. Scroll down to view your "Pending Credit".  Click "Submit Credit" next to each evaluation (Annual Meeting, Advanced Course, Pre-Con, etc.) General Sessions, Concurrent Sessions, Eye Openers, Foundational Courses and Study Sessions are included in the Annual Meeting evaluation.  Complete an evaluation for each item for which you are requesting credit. The first time you log-in, you must select your type of CE credit. Evaluations must be submitted by May 15, 2019 to receive credit. ...
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Celebrating National Volunteer Week

By Wendy-Jo Toyama posted 10 days ago
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In light of National Volunteer Week, ACPA is recognizing volunteers who dedicate their efforts to further the mission of ACPA – creating a world where people with cleft and craniofacial conditions thrive. In 2018, extraordinary volunteers partnered with ACPA to make a difference in the lives of patients, their families and the professionals who guide them on their journeys. This week, we are celebrating every success, from the more than 240 members who volunteer their time to those who are contributing to the research and collaboration at ACPA’s 76 th Annual Meeting this week. Every act of service increases our collective impact for individuals with cleft ...
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Scholarship Profile: Henry

By Catherine Choi posted 14 days ago
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2018 ACPA Scholarship Recipient Henry Ba ddour was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. With a passion for serving those with cleft and craniofacial differences, Henry has dedicated many years to spreading awareness through his non-profit, CleftProud. A student at UNC’s Kenan Flagler Business School, Henry is studying business in order to learn how to continue impacting the cleft and craniofacial community for the better. “Receiving this scholarship is deeply meaningful to me because it validates the many years of hard work I have dedicated to launching CleftProud. CleftProud is an online community that serves adults/teens with Cleft as well as parents ...
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CPCJ Podcast: Psychosocial Functioning of Children in a Craniofacial Support Group

By Alyssa Kirkman posted 21 days ago
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In this podcast, Pat Chibbaro interviews Dr. Alexis Johns and Dr. Laura Bava about their article, "Psychosocial Functioning of Children in a Craniofacial Support Group " published in volume 56 issue 3 of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal . This study aimed to describe psychosocial functioning before and after participation in support groups for pediatric patients with craniofacial diagnoses and their families. In conclusion, although greater clinical concerns were reported compared to test norms, baseline and postgroup functioning was in the average range. Patients and caregivers reported significantly improved psychosocial functioning following group ...
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Barrow Cleft & Craniofacial Center's Annual Bear Picnic

By Alexis Giannattasio posted 24 days ago
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ACPA Family Services Coordinator Catherine Choi is excited to attend Barrow Cleft & Craniofacial Center's Picnic on Saturday, April 20, 2019 in Scottsdale, AZ. This annual event brings families together for a time of community and celebration, while highlighting the ACPA Cleft Courage Bears. “The cleft picnic is a wonderful opportunity for families to connect with one another,” Catherine said. “We are excited to attend this event for the first time, and hope that families will have the chance to learn more about how ACPA supports patients and families.” Through the Teddy Bear Program at Barrow Cleft & Craniofacial Center, every newborn baby is given ...
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Download the Mobile App for ACPA's 76th Annual Meeting

By ACPA posted 28 days ago
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The mobile app for ACPA’s 76th Annual Meeting is now available. Downloading the App is Easy.  Search the App Store or Google Play for “ACPA Meetings” or point your mobile browser to https://m.core-apps.com/acpa2019 to view the app in your browser or be directed to the proper download version for your phone. If you already have the ACPA Meetings app , open the app, and hit  Exit to Show List . Your app will load all available meetings.  Click  ACPA’s 76th Annual Meeting to load this year’s information. With the 2019 ACPA mobile app, you can: Stay organized with up-to-the-minute exhibitor, speaker and event information Find abstracts, disclosures ...
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ACPA Member News: Dr. Francis Joel Smith, PhD

By Alexis Giannattasio posted 03-18-2019
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ACPA Member Francis Joel Smith, PhD, was featured in the article, “Wonderfully Made,” by KPC News for his recent work to spread awareness and hope. Born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, Dr. Smith is now using his own story to spark conversation about craniofacial differences and to encourage acceptance. In his book, “Wonderfully Made,” Dr. Smith opens up about his personal journey of how he overcame physical and emotional challenges related to his facial differences. He hopes that his story will open the door for more opportunities to help others.  “A year ago, Smith returned to two of his former schools, Canterbury and J.E. Ober Elementary School in ...
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ACPA's March and April Webinars

By ACPA posted 03-13-2019
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ACPA offers educational webinars to cleft and craniofacial care providers worldwide. Register for a live or on-demand webinar today.   Upcoming webinars include: The Importance of Early Identification and Treatment of Deformational Plagiocephaly/Brachycephaly and Congenital Muscular Torticollis March 14 1:30 PM ET Clinical Research and Quality Improvement Projects in Infants With Clefts of the Lip and Palate- What Are We Measuring? March 21 12:00 PM ET Cleft Palate Speech Therapy: From Elicitation to Spontaneous Speech Rebroadcast April 23 at 12:00 PM ET ACPA Team Approval Information Session April 25 at 12:00 ...
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Announcing Discipline Forums at ACPA's Annual Meeting in Tucson

By Alyssa Kirkman posted 03-11-2019
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ACPA represents over 35 healthcare disciplines, and most of these disciplines participate in ACPA’s Annual Meeting.  Discussion Forums at ACPA's 76th Annual Meeting give attendees a chance to discuss current topics with colleagues.   The forums, open to all registered attendees of ACPA's 76th Annual Meeting, take place on Thursday, April 11 at 5:00 PM at the Westin La Paloma in Tucson. You are invited to participate in the forum of your choice - please consider attending the session for your specialty or one you'd like to learn more about.  The ACPA Membership Committee invites attendees to join the first “Other Discipline Forum” at this year's meeting. ...
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New ACPA Publication: Bone Graft Surgery

By Alexis Giannattasio posted 03-08-2019
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ACPA’s new publication, Bone Graft Surgery , provides information about treatment for an alveolar cleft. With content provided by cleft and craniofacial experts, this booklet addresses common questions such as, “What is an alveolar cleft?” and “What happens during bone graft surgery?” for patients and families. Bone graft surgery, also called alveolar cleft repair, closes the spaces in the bones beneath the gums and is performed by a surgeon on a child’s cleft team. ACPA’s publication provides details about each step of the surgery. For this procedure, a surgeon uses a small amount of healthy bone to patch the space of the cleft. Sometimes, this bone ...
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Issue 56.3 of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal is now available

By ACPA posted 03-04-2019
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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). Predicting the Ideal Patient for Ambulatory Cleft Lip Repair  Victor Chang, BA,  Brendan O’Donnell, BA,  William J. Bruce, BS,  Uma Maduekwe, MD,  Max Drescher, MA,  Bernandino M. Mendez, MD,  Anai N. Kothari, MD,  Parit A. Patel, MD A Single Lab Test to Aid Pierre Robin Sequence Severity ...
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ACPA Member Invites Submissions for Special Issue of Genes

By ACPA posted 02-26-2019
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ACPA Member Timothy Cox, PhD and his colleague, Dr. Kerstin Ludwig, are accepting submissions for a special issue of Genes , “Molecular Genetics of Facial Traits and Malformations.” Submit an original research article that includes either functional and/or genetic studies related to facial traits by September 6, 2019. The human face is arguably our most individual characteristic. Its morphogenesis is largely completed in the first trimester and occurs in a highly stereotypical fashion through the precise orchestration of cellular behaviors by conserved genetic programs. In the last few years, many new advances have been made in understanding the genetic ...
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New ACPA Publications for Your Journey

By Alexis Giannattasio posted 02-19-2019
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ACPA Family Services offers information and resources about cleft and craniofacial care for affected patients, individuals and families. Listed on the ACPA Family Services website, publications cover a variety of topics from treatment to life stages and are offered in both English and Spanish. Newly translated fact sheets and booklets include Carta Para Los Padres De Un Niño Con Una Hendidura (Letter to the Parent of a Child with Cleft Palate), Ayuda Para Desenvolverse En Situaciones Sociales (Help with Social Situations), Paladar Hendido Submucoso (Submucous Cleft Palate) and more. Paladar Hendido Submucoso (Submucous Cleft Palate) features Eden and ...
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Be a Mentor at ACPA’s 76th Annual Meeting

By Alyssa Kirkman posted 02-15-2019
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Volunteer to be part of the ACPA Annual Meeting Mentor program!  We are looking for volunteers to mentor new ACPA members and first-time attendees at ACPA's 76th Annual Meeting in Tucson, April 9-13.   If you are attending, we encourage you to participate. As a mentor, you will introduce the attendee to other members and help them feel welcome at the meeting.  To participate, you must be able to attend the New Member/First Time Attendee Orientation at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, April 9, followed by the Welcome Reception. If you are interested in becoming a mentor or you would like to sign up for other volunteer opportunities, take ACPA’s biannual engagement survey ...
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Scholarship Profile: Katerina

By Catherine Choi posted 02-11-2019
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2018 Scholarship Recipient Katerina began her first year at Sussex County Community College last fall to pursue a degree in nursing. Inspired by the nurses who cared for her as a child, Katerina hopes to provide the same level of care that she received to other children with facial differences. “I hope to one day be able to help kids with cleft palates. Nurses had a huge impact on my childhood and I hope to offer the same experience to a child like me in the future. This scholarship will help me financially achieve my goals.” Thanks for sharing your story with us, Katerina! We wish you the best as you follow your dream. The online application period for ...
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Issue 56.2 of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal is now available

By ACPA posted 02-04-2019
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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). Proportion of Orofacial Clefts Attributable to Recognized Risk Factors Janhavi R. Raut, BDS, MPH, Regina M. Simeone, MS, MPH, Sarah C. Tinker, PhD, Mark A. Canfield, PhD, R. Sue Day, MS, PhD, A. J. Agopian, PhD Short- and Long-Term Effects of Late Maxillary Advancement With the Liou-Alt-RAMEC ...
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Continuing Education for ACPA's 76th Annual Meeting

By ACPA posted 01-28-2019
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ACPA’s 76th Annual Meeting is at The Westin La Paloma in Tucson, AZ, April 9-13, 2019.  Attendees are able to earn continuing education credits for attending sessions.  View the meeting schedule and highlights or download the schedule with presentation titles .  View meeting registration information and register now . All continuing education information has been posted on the ACPA website .   The table below includes the available credits for ACCME, ASHA and Nursing. ACCME ASHA CEUs Nursing CEUs Instructional Level Convention 17 1.7 17 Various Eye Openers (Group 1, 2) 2 each 0.20 each 2 each Various ...
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President’s Week: Member Research

By Bernard Costello posted 01-25-2019
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Another area of interest is our recent Membership Survey, which gathered key information about what our members want most from their association. We appreciate all of you who contributed to the process and will be receiving the results soon. This important project will help the Board focus on what the membership finds most important and help us serve our patients and families even more effectively through our offerings. Stay tuned for more information over the coming months.  #MemberNew
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President’s Week: ACPA’s New Strategic Plan

By Bernard Costello posted 01-24-2019
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The Board has been busy this last several months approving a new Strategic Plan to focus our efforts around our Mission, particularly to serve patients and families in the best ways we can.  We look forward to sharing this with the membership in the near future. The ACPA Board and Committees will continue to work hard for our members to bring the best programming and benefits that we can. Those efforts are all designed to help our patients and families in ways that we all find vital.  #MemberNew
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President’s Week: CPCJ Search

By Bernard Costello posted 01-23-2019
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The search for a new Editor of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal is underway, and the task force is beginning to evaluate candidates for this prestigious position. It is a unique opportunity to help inform the world via the leading source of information for cleft and craniofacial care. We thank Jack Yu for his commitment over the last 2 terms. There is no doubt that he has continued the excellence that our Journal has exhibited and taken the publication even further.  Please thank Dr. Yu when you see him for his hard work, including his duty to quality and sound scientific publication.  #MemberNews #Journ
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