Since each facial difference is unique, it takes the expertise of a multidisciplinary team of various medical, surgical and rehabilitation specialists to develop a systematic, comprehensive treatment plan for each craniofacial patient. The Miami Children's Hospital Craniofacial Center's team provides a comprehensive evaluation of each child's special needs during the course of one appointment. Following the assessment, the team members will deliver a diagnosis and recommendations regarding treatment and comprehensive/continuous care.

Here are some of the specialties and people that will play key roles in your child's treatment at the Craniofacial Center.

Your Child: Your child is the most important member of our team and will be the focus of all our attention.

Parents: Yes, you are also a very important part of our team. You will make sure your child comes to his/her appointments. You will learn how to feed your child, how to teach him/her new skills, and you will monitor his/her progress. You will be the link between your child and the team. Your input, observations, and concerns are important to the team.

Audiology: The audiologist will perform hearing evaluations and will monitor any hearing problems during the Craniofacial Team visits or more frequently if needed. Newborn children should have hearing evaluations soon after birth. Check with your pediatrician to make sure this was done. Our Audiologists are Jussara Silva, AuD, CCC-A., and Mike Bermudez, M.A. CCC-A.

Children's Medical Service (CMS)
The Children's Medical Services Network(CMS) is a Medicaid managed care program for children with special health care needs. This program provides your child with a CMS Nurse Care Coordinator who helps you, in collaboration with the health care specialists, in providing for the care of your child. Our CMS nurse is: Judith Frances, R.N.

Dental: Our dentist will provide comprehensive routine dental care and monitor dental progress. Evaluation of teeth and facial growth will be made during team meetings and dental care will be provided in the dental office of the dentist. Our pediatric dentist is Gabriella A. Rolland-Asensi, D.M.D.

Dental Implant Reconstruction: The dental implant reconstruction physician is specially trained to deal with children who have craniofacial anomalies which may require dental implants, facial reconstruction, or bone grafting. They work together with the plastic surgeon and orthodontist.

Genetics: The geneticist specializes in finding the reason why your child has a craniofacial anomaly. They will do a complete physical assessment and family history to determine any genetic causes. Our geneticists are Mislen Bauer, M.D., and Parul Jayakar, M.D. Our genetic counselor is Katherine Schain, M.S., CGC.

Neurosurgery: Our neurosurgeons are experts in working with children who have craniofacial anomalies involving the brain and nervous system. They work with the plastic surgeons and neuroradiologist to achieve the best possible surgical outcome. Our neurosurgeons are: Glenn Morrison, M.D., John Ragheb, M.D., David Sandberg, M.D., Greg Olavarria, M.D., and Sanjiv Bhatia, M.D.

Nursing: Our nursing team is comprised of a team nurse and nurse practitioner who serves as the program coordinator. Our team nurse obtains patient vital signs and is available to answer questions during the clinic. The Program Coordinator will help you coordinate the care of you child and any other necessary services. The program coordinator is your primary contact for the care of your child and can provide you with information and answer questions that you may have. Our Program Coordinator is: Carmen Duque, MSN , ARNP. Our team nurse is Mayra Garcia, R.N.

Oral Maxillofacial Surgery: The oral maxillofacial surgeon is specially trained to perform reconstructive dental and maxillofacial surgery to children with craniofacial anomalies. Our oral surgeon is Joe Garri, M.D., D.M.D.

Ophthalmology: Our team of ophthalmologist has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating eye problems in children with Craniofacial anomalies. They will perform a comprehensive ophthalmologic evaluation tailored to each child’s individual needs. Our ophthalmologists are: Cleve Howard M.D., Roberto Warman, M.D., and Stacey J. Kruger, M.D.

Orthodontics: The orthodontist is a dentist who is specially trained to straighten and align your child's teeth. Children with craniofacial anomalies usually need to have their teeth straightened as they get older. Our orthodontists are Phillip Kaner, D.D.S., Len Rothenberg, D.M.D., Idalia Lastra, D.M.D., and Samuel Berkowitz, D.D.S.

Otolaryngology: The otolaryngologist is the ear nose and throat (ENT) doctor who will monitor and manage your child for any ear infections, sinus, or hearing problems. Children with cleft palate will often have many ear infections and may require pressure equalizing (PE) tubes to prevent further infections. Our otolaryngologists are Michael Owens, M.D., Rafael Portela, M.D., Isaac Shubich, M.D., and Pedro Villalonga, M.D.

Parent Advocate: Our parent advocates are parents who like you have had a child with a craniofacial anomaly. They will share with you their experiences and offer valuable advice. They are also the regional coordinators for the Florida Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association and therefore will be able to assist you with information regarding insurance coverage, legislative laws that protect children with these conditions, parent support group meetings, craniofacial summer camp, and whatever other needs you may have. Our team parent advocates are Arthur and Shelly Green, (877)-431-6739.

Pediatrics: Our team pediatrician and pediatric nurse practitioner, along with the MCH pediatric residents, will evaluate each child during their visit to the clinic. They will perform a complete physical exam and obtain a full medical history. Proper growth and development will be assessed by our team of pediatric specialists. Our team pediatrician is Mislen Bauer, M.D.

Pediatric Psychology (Behavioral Medicine): Our pediatric psychologist is a specially trained individual who will help you and your child cope and adjust to this new experience. They will be able to provide strategies and skills to promote positive behavior, parenting skills, and self-esteem. Our psychologist is Laura O. Moreno-Chavez, PSY.D.

Plastic Surgery: Our pediatric plastic surgeons are physicians who have extensive experience with children who have craniofacial anomalies. These are the physicians who are responsible for all corrective surgeries. Our board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons are S. Anthony Wolfe, M.D., Deirdre Marshall, M.D., Seth R. Thaller, M.D, Joe Garri, D.M.D., M.D., and Rafael Gottenger, M.D.

Prosthodontics: Our prosthodontist specializes in dental appliances and implants. Our prosthodontist is Carol Horkowitz, D.M.D.

Social Services: Our social worker is responsible for assisting you and your family with any services you may need. She will assess all social aspects of the child's life (family life, school, behavior, financial status, insurance, etc.) and make appropriate referrals. Our team social worker is Arletha Miller, M.S.W.

Speech and Language Pathology: Our speech and language pathologist will assist you with learning how to feed your infant. In subsequent visits to the team, the speech pathologist will evaluate speech and language, and will make recommendations that will help your child speak clearly. Our speech and language pathologists are: Lynn Graff, MA, MS, CCC-SLP, Lilian Rojas, MS, JoAnn Vargas, MA, CCC-SLP, Claryza Pujol, M.S., CCC-SLP, and Jeanette Perez, M.S., CCC-SLP.

Administrative: The team's administrative staff is responsible for scheduling of appointments and all other administrative duties related to the Craniofacial Center. They are very knowledgeable regarding the team and will be able to refer you to the appropriate person for answers to any questions that you may have. Our administrative team includes Leyna Orta and MaryAnne Guerrero.

Additional Craniofacial subspecialties include:

• Anesthesiology
• Neurology