Improving the Lives of Children With Cleft and Craniofacial Conditions
Over 200 children are born in Arizona each year with a cleft or craniofacial condition. At Phoenix Children’s Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Care, our craniofacial experts understand the complexities associated with these conditions and are sensitive to the unique needs of each patient. From physical appearance to emotional coping, our team ensures that each patient gets the care needed for every aspect of their condition. We support:
- New or expecting parents of a child diagnosed with cleft lip, cleft palate or other craniofacial disorder.
- Older children or adolescents with an untreated cleft or craniofacial disorder.
- Adults with a poorly repaired or untreated cleft palate disorder.
In addition to patient care, research and education are central to our mission of improving the lives of children with cleft and craniofacial conditions. We lead several research studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and we're part of the largest multicenter research study on cleft care in the U.S. We're also establishing advanced fellowships to train the next generation of craniofacial experts.
All this is made possible because of philanthropic support from our generous community. Learn about priority funding needs at the Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Care and how you can make a difference for our patients and their families.
By the Numbers
Thanks to the generosity of people like you, the Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Care is reaching new milestones.
30+
years
1,000+
patients each year
10,000+
clinic visits each year
Meet Our Leaders
The Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Care is led by Davinder J. Singh, MD, Division Chief of Plastic Surgery at Phoenix Children’s and president of the American Society of Craniofacial Surgeons. Dr. Singh is supported by co-directors Patricia Beals, DMD, craniofacial orthodontist; and Kelly Cordero, PhD, CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist.
The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) has designated the Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Care as an ACPA-Approved Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Team.
Priority Funding Needs
Philanthropic support allows us to advance cleft and craniofacial care by providing the resources to evaluate and improve clinical care, conduct and publish cutting-edge research, attract top talent, and educate the clinicians and researchers of the future.
Offering endowed chairs to proven physician-leaders is essential to recruitment and retention. These coveted designations affirm their expert status, while Phoenix Children’s is assured a sustainable resource to continue our mission. This investment would name the Endowed Chair, Cleft and Craniofacial, and provide the level of support required to create a charitable endowment that will make an impact for generations to come.
Transformative research takes expert physician-scientists, equipment, infrastructure and the burning desire to do better for the children in our community. These funds will support innovation, research and discovery to ensure children experience the best health possible and live life to the fullest.
As Phoenix Children’s grows and evolves this destination program, the co-directors will need resources to build upon their vision for children to receive the best cleft and craniofacial care. The Directors’ Fund will provide the necessary capital for program development, innovation and discovery.
The fellowships explicitly addresses a gap in supporting the next generation of clinical trainees in speech language pathology, orthodontics and research. These awards will be bestowed on highly talented and qualified trainees to further foster subspecialty education and research experience. Additionally, it will help attract promising young individuals to the department and support the development of novel treatments.
A total of $70,000 (paid over two years) is needed to support a .5 FTE fellowship focused on cleft and craniofacial research.
Caring for patients includes focusing on their psychosocial needs, including mental, emotional, social and spiritual well-being. The fund will provide education, coping skills, support groups and a supportive community for patients while they are in our care.
Having a child who has a lifelong treatment plan is difficult. Added financial stress can push a family to the breaking point. The fund assists with food, specialized feeding equipment, lodging and transportation so families can focus on the health of their child.
- “Our treatment plan considers a patient's medical, emotional and psychological needs as well as those of the family. It's rewarding to follow infants into adulthood and see them embrace life and pursue their dreams.”Davinder J. Singh, MDCo-Director, Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Care; Division Chief, Plastic Surgery
Stories of Hope and Healing
As a child, Naiomi Glasses was bullied because of her cleft lip and palate. The Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Care helped her find her smile—and now she's paying it forward.
Naiomi, a Diné (Navajo) textile artist, is the first participant in Ralph Lauren's Artist in Residence Program. Five percent of the purchase price from sales of the second drop of the Polo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses collection will benefit the Phoenix Children’s Foundation Patient and Family Assistance Funds for Native American Families and the Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Care.
Many babies with cleft lip and palate struggle to feed and gain weight. Patients need to be carefully monitored to avoid malnutrition. However, frequent doctor visits can be difficult for patients and their caregivers.
Dr. Thomas Sitzman wanted to change this. Thanks to philanthropic support, he and his team at the Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Care developed a home monitoring program that uses an app to track a baby's feeding sessions and weight. This innovative program has reduced malnutrition among infants with cleft lip and palate while also minimizing the number of in-person doctor visits.
Charlotte was born with a cleft lip and palate and underwent several surgeries at the Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Care. During her medical journey, Charlotte found a passion for helping others.
At age 10, she launched Stitches by Charlotte, a website that sells and donates surgery companion dolls to patients. These dolls come with a sewing kit so families can add stitches to the doll that match those of their child. “Today, I love my smile,” she says. “I want to help other kids smile.”
Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Care Philanthropic Advisory Council
Naiomi Glasses
The Nicole and Graham Gould Family
Guy Inzalaco
Aaron Klusman
The Patty and Montie Pace Family
Jordan Vasbinder
Your gift helps Phoenix Children's provide compassionate, comprehensive care for children with cleft and craniofacial disorders.
