Cleft Lip and Palate Team Day

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NYP/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital are recognized leaders in Craniofacial Surgery

Being born with a cleft lip and cleft palate is tough for a child. This congenital defect leaves a hole or split in the lip or the roof of the mouth, making it difficult to eat or speak. Ear infections are common as are hearing and dental problems. This condition affects roughly 1 in 700 children and many need specialized care to reach their full potential.

“Much can be accomplished with surgery and even more by a multidisciplinary team like ours that follows these children as they grow, responding to their needs,” says Dr. Thomas Imahiyerobo, Co-Director Craniofacial Surgery, NYP/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. “With our comprehensive and highly personalized approach, we are recognized leaders in this field.”

The hospital recently hosted its first annual Cleft Lip and Palate Team Day for patients, families, and friends, giving them an opportunity to share their inspirational stories and experiences. The program featured a children’s lunch, a DJ, face painting, a photo booth and many speakers, including Patricia Simon, R.N., author of Smile with Simon, an illustrated children’s book that helps children with cleft palate understand their condition and develop the resiliency needed to cope with it in the years ahead.

“It takes an enormous amount of courage for parents to hand their child over to a physician, whom they’ve only met a few times and are probably just beginning to trust, and say, Please do surgery on my child,” says Dr. Imahiyerobo. “We want families to know that we are going to be here to help them meet their challenges head on, while providing the best possible care.” 

Read more about The Cleft and Craniofacial Center here. 

The Center is located at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, 161 Fort Washington Ave., Suite 511, New York, NY 10032. 

To make an appointment, please call 212.305.4346.