Orchestrating smiles
Pediatric plastic surgeons in the Texas Cleft-Craniofacial Team at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth transform uncertainty into smiles for our youngest patients and their families. With unparalleled surgical expertise, this specialized team provides top-quality care and ongoing support for children born with craniofacial differences like cleft lip and cleft palate—birth defects that occur when a baby’s lip or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy.
About one in 700 babies are born with cleft lip and palate, making it one of the most common birth defects. Children with these defects often require surgery in the first few months of life and additional procedures as they age. They may also need other types of treatments and services, such as special dental care and speech therapy.
While families come from Houston, the surrounding region, and other countries to receive care from the Texas Cleft-Craniofacial Team, our pediatric plastic surgeons also volunteer their skills in reconstructive surgery to help children in underserved communities around the world. By volunteering their expertise in low and middle income countries, our experts are helping to remove the barriers to safe, affordable surgical care, thereby addressing an often overlooked global health issue.
In addition to providing comprehensive care to help children with craniofacial differences lead happy, healthy lives, our experts in the Texas Cleft-Craniofacial Team are pulling out all the stops to inspire hope for the future and help people safely navigate the ongoing threat of COVID-19.
More than surgeons
One of the team’s very own, Phuong Nguyen, MD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery and Chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery at UT Physicians, virtually participated in the Celebrating America concert on Inauguration Day. Sharing the spotlight with other health care professionals and singer Demi Lovato, Dr. Nguyen helped perform the song “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers, promoting peace and togetherness.
Dr. Nguyen also turned to music to help keep people safe early in the COVID-19 pandemic. As front man of the band Help the Doctor, he worked with his surgeon bandmates and friends across the health care industry to create a clever music video for his song, “Stay at Home.” With a catchy tune, the song reminds people to follow social distancing protocols, stay home, and stay safe.
Make a gift to spread hope and smiles
Each day, the many faces of the Texas Cleft-Craniofacial Team like Dr. Nguyen go above and beyond to create better outcomes for the children and families we serve and build brighter futures for all. We invite you to make a gift in support this team and their work helping children born with orofacial clefts and craniofacial deformities.
Your generosity to the Texas Cleft-Craniofacial Team will help develop safer, more effective procedures, assist families with expenses related care, and expand research and humanitarian programs that improve access to quality pediatric reconstructive care.
