Our Services

Center for Reconstructive Pediatrics

Cleft-Craniofacial Team

Cleft lip and palate are the most common craniofacial anomalies in children. Approximately 1 in every 700 infants born each year in the United States is born with facial clefting. Although the cleft may be a component of an identifiable syndrome, it more commonly occurs as a solitary defect. Children with clefting are optimally cared for in a multidisciplinary care setting. Infants may have difficulty with feeding and weight gain, may have significant middle ear disease and hearing deficits, and may exhibit speech as well as other developmental delays. During infancy and childhood various procedures are performed to restore aesthetic and functional integrity to the lip and/or palate. Not surprisingly, these children often need support in adjusting psychologically to the societal implications of their deformity and to time spent in the hospital for operative interventions.

Benefits of the team approach

The multidisciplinary team allows your child to benefit from the consolidated knowledge of many specialists from different fields in one place and in one visit.

The majority of cleft and other craniofacial anomalies are correctable. Surgery and proper care normally result in improved appearance and healthier, happier lives for most children. Equally as important is ongoing care for related problems that may affect communication skills and self-image. A number of specialists for speech, hearing and dental problems as well as social and emotional concerns are essential for close monitoring throughout childhood. Treatments recommended for your child will be organized at Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital. Close communications with your primary pediatrician or family doctor is mandatory for continuity of care of your child and is our goal. The purpose of this team approach is to coordinate the best medical care for your child and to ensure that you are involved as an active partner in the treatment process.

The Cleft-Craniofacial Team

The Cleft-Craniofacial Team at the Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital Center for Reconstructive Pediatrics is a team of specialists focused on the care of families with children born with cleft lip and palate and/or craniofacial anomalies. The group includes surgical specialists, dental specialists, geneticists, speech therapists, audiologists, behavioral therapists, and social workers and meets every fourth Monday monthly. Primary care providers are included in all care planning via letter correspondence and are invited to participate.

Members of the Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital Cleft-Craniofacial Team are recognized experts in their fields. The following physicians and specialists who make up the team take pride in providing top-quality, sensitive care and in remaining accessible to patients and families.

Audiologists

Dana Hernandez, AUD, CCC-A, S-AAA
MacKenzie Thomas, MS, CCC-A

Dana Hernandez and MacKenzie Thomas improve patients’ quality of life through improvements in hearing. They work to identify and manage of hearing loss in infants and children to minimize damaging effects on educational and psychosocial development. They perform audiological evaluations with children of all ages. If hearing loss is identified in a child, treatment may include aural rehabilitation and perhaps prescription of hearing aids. They ensure that children are receiving needed services in related fields, such as otolaryngology.

Clinical Coordinator

Cynthia Miranda, MA

Cynthia Miranda is a clinical specialist with the cleft and craniofacial team, coordinating all of its activities. She manages the telephone, referrals, scheduling, and assists in the education of families concerning the care of their children with cleft and craniofacial disorders. She also coordinates patient care in the hospital.

Clinical Social Worker

Lydia Sanchez, LSW

Lydia Sanchez identifies services that can help enhance the growth and development of individual children and help them achieve improvements in the quality of their lives. She assesses the needs of families and patients and refers them to local and regional agencies that provide counseling, case management, developmental programs and other services. She also helps arrange local lodging for patients and families who travel long distances for treatment.

Counsellor

Roger Tripp, MA, LPC

Roger Tripp is a mental health counsellor who works with children with facial differences helping them meet challenges that they face in school and society, promoting healthy self-identity and self-esteem.

Dentists and Orthodontists

Timothy Hensen, DMD

Timothy Hensen is a pediatric dentist whose skills are pivotal to improved outcomes in cleft lip and palate patients. He has been specially trained in nasoalveolar molding (NAM), a special presurgical orthopaedic technique to fit infants with soft oral appliances designed to help reshape the lip, nose and palate. NAM improves the position of the alveolar (tooth-bearing) segments of the jaws and improves the shape and position of the nose and upper lip. The devices also may aid feeding by allowing an infant to achieve stronger suction.

Genetics

Elizabeth Roeder, MD
Robert Stratton, MD

Elizabeth Roeder and Robert Stratton evaluate patients looking for genetic reasons to explain certain anomalies identified in children. Using honed skills in history taking and physical examination, combined with laboratory or radiographic testing when indicated, they attempt to diagnose findings so that treatment plans can be shaped and risks for future pregnancies may be identified.

Otolaryngologist

William Clark, MD

William Clark is specialist in pediatric otolaryngology and ear reconstruction. He cares for patients with cleft palate who have increased risks for ear infections and conductive hearing loss. He also cares for children who have hearing loss who need assistive hearing devices (hearing aids) and children born with abnormal or absent external ears (microtia).

Plastic Surgeon

Aaron Mason, MD

Aaron Mason is a pediatric plastic surgeon and pediatrician specializing in the care of children with reconstructive needs. He surgically repairs cleft lip and palate, ear anomalies, and skull and face abnormalities. He directs the Cleft-Craniofacial Team making sure that children receive the many services needed for optimal outcomes.

Speech Pathologist

Darcy McConnell, MS
Darcy McConnell specializes in the evaluation and treatment of speech problems of children who have cleft palates and craniofacial anomalies, velopharyngeal dysfunction for speech, and feeding and swallowing problems.