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 and the Cleft Palate Foundation claim no responsibility for the content published by others on their web sites. Published content does not imply endorsement of either the organizations or the content of the meetings.

ACPA Member Consults on Book to Spread Cleft Awareness

By ACPA posted 11 hours ago
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Kansas Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, an ACPA Member and plastic surgeon, has consulted on a children's book about a child with cleft lip and palate. "Darby Boingg Learns That Every Face Has a Special Smile" highlights the milestones and the support Felicity receives from her family and treatment team. According to author Michelle Bain: "Even though this is about cleft lip and cleft palate issues, the real basis surrounding that issue is empathy and understanding and being unique and kind, the kindness we're trying to impart on the kids when someone is different, because everyone is different," she said. Read an article about a recent reading at an elementary school. ...
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Exhibit or Sponsor ACPA's 75th Annual Meeting

By Alyssa Kirkman posted 2 days ago
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We invite you to attend the meeting for cleft and craniofacial specialists – ACPA’s 75th Annual Meeting. As a sponsor or exhibitor, you can showcase your products, speak to professionals about trends, and network with 750-850 professionals – while you maximize exposure, work directly with decision makers, and network and learn with attendees. ACPA is an interdisciplinary association of healthcare professionals who treat and/or perform research on oral cleft and craniofacial conditions. ACPA represents more than 2,500 professionals in 30 healthcare disciplines in 60 countries who serve an extremely important role in the treatment of patients. Your participation ...
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ACPA Family Services: Perla's Story

By Stephanie Williamson posted 5 days ago
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This story was shared by ACPA Member Dr. Daisy Masis with the permission of Perla’s parents. Perla, an eight year old girl, was born with cleft lip and palate. Since she was a newborn, her mom looked for help, a place where her baby girl could receive all the care to have a normal development. They began to travel more than 279 kilometers from El Jucar Nueva Segovia to the Burn and Craniofacial Unit (APROQUEN) in Managua, Nicaragua’s capital. Her treatment process started after only 14 days after birth, when we provided her first maxillary plate to help her feed and to help start modeling her maxillary bones. She had her lip repair ...
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CPCJ Articles in the News

By Hillary Jones posted 7 days ago
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Two recent studies from The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal have been featured in the news. The journal draws from around the world for its interdisciplinary approach to growth, development, diagnosis, and treatment — the provision of optimal clinical services — in all areas pertaining to craniofacial differences. In addition, it explores and reports on the study and treatment, including experimental and proven surgical procedures, of cleft lip, cleft palate and craniofacial anomalies. It also keeps readers in touch with the latest research in related laboratory sciences. Remote Digital Preoperative Assessments for Cleft Lip and Palate May Improve Clinical ...
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Top 5 Ways to Engage with ACPA

By Erin Mallis posted 9 days ago
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ACPA is a community of healthcare providers working to optimize interdisciplinary care and outcomes for individuals with oral cleft and craniofacial conditions.  As a member of ACPA, providers and interested individuals have opportunities to engage with ACPA and with the community as they strive to create a world, through team care, where individuals with oral cleft and craniofacial conditions thrive. Here are the top 5 ways members can engage with ACPA: Enhance professional development by attending ACPA’s Annual Meeting at reduced member rates. Increase knowledge of current research with a free subscription to The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal ...
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Prenatal Diagnosis of Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

By Stephanie Williamson posted 12 days ago
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Many families now have their child’s cleft lip and possible cleft palate diagnosed prenatally through ultrasound.  The initial news often comes as a shock to expecting parents and inevitably raises many questions.  Having access to accurate and reliable information at this point is critical. ACPA Family Services offers an informational booklet, “Prenatal Diagnosis of Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate” , written for these parents.  It answers basic questions about what a cleft is, how common clefts are, potential causes, and typical treatment.  The booklet also introduces the concept of a treatment team and refers families to Cleftline.org to find their local teams.  ...
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ACPA's 75th Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh

By Jessica Kokos posted 14 days ago
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The American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is excited to hold ACPA’s 75 th Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 10-14, 2018.   Pittsburgh was ACPA's first home and is the perfect place to celebrate 75 years of Team Care. Pittsburgh is a vibrant, mid-sized city that has the feel of a small town. Pittsburgh offers a surprising and unexpected experience for visitors, with natural beauty, unique terrain and diverse offerings at every turn.  Take to the streets and explore the city and make time to enjoy the surrounding landscape while you are in town. ACPA’s Annual Meeting will take place at The Westin Convention Center ...
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Media Training for ACPA Approved Teams

By Alyssa Kirkman posted 15 days ago
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The release of major motion picture “Wonder” this Thanksgiving presents a rare opportunity to educate new audiences on cleft lip/palate, craniofacial conditions and the care providers like you who are experts in the field. ACPA would like to arm Approved Teams with tools and tips for effectively engaging with news media in your local communities. Please join us for a Media Training Webinar for ACPA Approved Teams at 1:00 PM ET on Friday, September 15 .  The webinar will walk through a PR toolkit  for teams that includes key messages, FAQs, rules for engaging with reporters and tips for interview preparation. Register now.   Log-in information will be ...
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September is Craniofacial Acceptance Month

By ACPA posted 19 days ago
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As we continue to spread awareness of facial difference nationwide, please join us in recognizing September as Craniofacial Acceptance Month.  This special month is led by Children’s Craniofacial Association (CCA) and promotes the important message that “beyond the face is a heart.”  Whether you’re a professional serving the cleft and craniofacial community, a person with a facial difference, or a connected loved one, you understand the impact that seeing someone’s heart can have.   We are dedicated to creating a world where individuals with cleft and craniofacial conditions thrive, and widening the circle of acceptance for facial difference in our communities ...
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Share Your Story and Celebrate 75 Years of Team Care with ACPA

By Alyssa Kirkman posted 21 days ago
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Many of the patients, families and ACPA members we serve have a very personal connection with ACPA. As we prepare to celebrate our organization’s 75th Anniversary in 2018, please consider sharing your story and the positive impact ACPA has had on you, your work or your family. Your input will help us tell ACPA’s story –the story of the healthcare professionals, families and individuals at the heart of what we do. With your permission, we will share your story to spread awareness of cleft lip and palate, craniofacial conditions, and ACPA’s important mission. Submissions can be any length – quotes or stories are welcome. If possible, please provide a recent ...
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Thanks to our Milestone Members!

By ACPA posted 23 days ago
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ACPA is proud to recognize our 2017 Milestone Members!  We have 75 members celebrating the anniversary of their membership this year.  The commitment of our Milestone Members - and all of our members - enables us to create a world, through team care, where individuals with oral cleft and craniofacial conditions thrive. Since its inception in 1943, ACPA has been committed to team care, and we are excited to celebrate 75 years of Team Care in 2018. Thank you to our Milestone Members for your commitment to ACPA.  We are stronger because of passionate members like you. ACPA is celebrating the anniversaries of these 74 members. 60 Years Philip F. Corso, ...
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How would you like to be more involved?

By Alyssa Kirkman posted 26 days ago
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ACPA wants members to get the most out of their annual membership.  We encourage everyone to take full advantage of opportunities to engage with ACPA, including: Attending ACPA’s Annual Meeting Reading The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal Participating in ACPA’s Online Community Joining a SIG Volunteering on a Committee Writing content for the blog And more. Now is your chance to get more engaged.   Take this short survey to let us know how you want to be involved with ACPA in the next 6-12 months.  Opportunities include helping with ACPA Family Services, contributing to the ACPA Online Community, assisting with education, ...
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Story of the Month: Most of All, She’s Perfect

By ACPA posted 28 days ago
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Kynslee was born into this crazy world at 5 pounds and 14 ounces. Once they told me she had cleft lip and palate and that it was treatable at a local hospital, I started to calm down and began to gather a million and five questions. They then placed her in a transportation unit and rushed her out of the delivery room and into an ambulance where she was then transported exactly 21 miles away from me. I took matters into my own hands and by 9:32 a.m. I was out of there. The doctor told me to go home and get some rest, but little did she know, I was going the opposite way of the house. Once we arrived at the NICU and I finally got to see her, my heart broke into ...
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Letter to the Teacher of a Child with Cleft

By Stephanie Williamson posted 30 days ago
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As students head back to school in the upcoming weeks, they may anticipate both the excitement and challenges of a new class, new friends, and a new teacher.  To help with school transitions, we offer Letter to the Teacher of a Child with Cleft .  This publication is an excellent resource that was developed by content experts and editors from ACPA membership.  We invite you to share this publication with the families you serve—print it, email it, or share the link.  Your help distributing this letter not only directly benefits students with clefts, it will increase cleft awareness among teachers throughout the country. ACPA Family Services provides ...
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A Lasting Impact

By ACPA posted 08-18-2017
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ACPA donors choose to give for many reasons.  This spring, PhD candidate Paul Pown Raj Iyyanar was awarded the Subtelny Orthodontic Clinical Research Grant.  Sadly, just one month later, his research mentor Dr. Adil J.Nazarali passed away unexpectedly. “Dr. Adil J. Nazarali was a Professor of Pharmacy at University of Saskatchewan, Canada, where he was actively involved in research and teaching. Dr. Nazarali was a world-class researcher, in both the fields of cleft palate and multiple sclerosis. Dr. Nazarali was recently inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, and was one of the three Royal Pharmaceutical Society Fellows ...
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Seeing Team Care in Action

By Erin Mallis posted 08-16-2017
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Last week, the ACPA National Office team took a field trip down the road to visit the UNC Craniofacial Center. Our staff joined the UNC Craniofacial team for lunch and sat in on one of their weekly team meetings. While ACPA staff works daily with ACPA approved teams and members, this visit was the first opportunity for some of us (myself included) to actually observe a team meeting in action. It was fascinating to witness professionals across many disciplines come together to focus on their patients. These patients have a variety of needs, from surgeries to speech therapy to psychosocial care. The team discussed each person individually, working to address ...
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Patient Reunion at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

By Alyssa Kirkman posted 08-14-2017
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The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Craniofacial Team hosted their first patient reunion in July.  The event, held at the USO Warrior and Family Center in Bethesda, MD, was timed to celebrate National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month.  Around 70 patients, family members, and volunteers came to the event. Air Force Lt. Col. (Dr.) Kerry Latham is the craniofacial team leader. “Walter Reed National Military Medical Center has supported a craniofacial team for more than 30 years,” Latham continued. “The multidisciplinary craniofacial team focuses on providing excellent care to children and adults with facial differences such as cleft ...
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Member News: McDonald-McGinn on 22Q

By Erin Mallis posted 08-11-2017
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ACPA Member Donna McDonald-McGinn, MS, LGLC, is Director of 22Q and You Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.  Mcdonald-McGinn was recently featured in a story about Diagnosing 22Q on WJMN-TV.  The segment is about Jasmine, a 12-year-old diagnosed with 22Q deletion. Jasmine, now 12, was born prematurely and had feeding problems as an infant. As she got older; developmental delays and scoliosis, as well as ADHD. Veda Brown, Jasmine's mother says, "Around eight months she was tested at CHOP: The Philadelphia Children's Hospital and then they detected the 22Q deletion." Jasmine received speech, occupational and physical therapy. But when 22Q ...
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NIDCR Requests Input on Proposed Research Initiatives for FY 2019

By Alyssa Kirkman posted 08-09-2017
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As part of the budget planning process for Fiscal Year 2019, NIDCR is identifying topical themes for development into research initiatives. During this process, they welcome input from research and clinical practice communities, industry, interested organizations, and the public at large. Briefly, the proposed research themes for FY 2019 are: Advancing Our Understanding of Enamel Development Basic and Translational Research on HIV and AIDS-Related Pathogens in the Oral Cavity Bioinformatics/Data Science Jumpstart for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Diseases Biological Factors Underlying Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Health Disparities Biology ...
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Thank you to our Members

By ACPA posted 08-07-2017
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This has been an incredible year for ACPA as we continue to serve our vision: to create a world, through team care, where individuals with oral cleft and craniofacial conditions thrive. We completed the merger of ACPA and the Cleft Palate Foundation (CPF), and we are now a unified organization serving the entire cleft and craniofacial community - individuals affected by cleft lip and palate, families, students and professionals.  We will continue to provide the same professional home you have come to expect as we change and evolve.    ACPA members strengthen our combined ability to optimize outcomes for individuals with oral cleft and craniofacial conditions ...
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