ACPA News

Wendy-Jo Toyama, MBA, CAE The ACPA Cleft Courage Bears arrived at ACPA in January. We are grateful to Karen LeClair, who in 1989 took needle and thread in hand to create the first teddy bear with stitches to supply comfort to children. Karen was born with a cleft and palate. In addition to providing comfort to those affected by cleft, she had a vision to raise awareness of the importance of team care. Karen herself did not connect with a team until she was an adult. Karen visited our offices in December to share her story, which we include on ...
Read More

Wendy-Jo Toyama, MBA, CAE ACPA celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2018 with a year of impact, growth and change. I am happy to share ACPA’s impact report with the valued members of our worldwide community. It takes a team to serve our mission, and in 2018, that team included the ACPA Board of Directors, members, volunteers, journal reviewers, patients, families, donors and our National Office Team. Together, we are creating a world where people with cleft and craniofacial conditions thrive. With profound thanks and wishes for a wonderful 2019, Wendy-Jo Toyama, MBA, CAE ACPA Executive Director ...
Read More

Contact: Alyssa Kirkman (919) 933-9044 alyssa.kirkman@acpa-cpf.org CHAPEL HILL, N.C. / March 14, 2019 – Approximately 40 percent of patients would benefit from having their cleft lip repair surgery in an ambulatory surgical center (ASC), instead of a traditional hospital setting, according to research published in the February 2019 issue of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal (CPCJ). “The shift toward using ASCs for cleft lip repair surgery is being driven by a growing interest to reduce medical costs,” said Victor Chang, lead researcher. “However, we must use caution to select the most appropriate patients for the ASC setting. Due to the numerous ...
Read More

We are excited to present to you ACPA’s 2019 Thrive Campaign. In alignment with ACPA’s renewed mission to create a world where people with cleft and craniofacial differences thrive, the Development Committee combined efforts with ACPA’s Board of Directors to launch a mission-based fundraising campaign in support of ACPA programs. In total, our goal is to raise $12,000 in donations and pledges at ACPA’s 76th Annual Meeting. One of the most important ways ACPA’s mission is fulfilled is through our programs and resources for patients, families and professionals. The Thrive Campaign will highlight these various programs, from educational materials to ...
Read More

Bernard J. Costello, DMD, MDOver the years, ACPA has benefited greatly from donors who value our work and support our mission to create a world where people with cleft and craniofacial differences thrive. Many people show their gratitude by making a personal gift to ACPA. The new year has brought a new emphasis on securing philanthropic gifts. ACPA has a new development plan and new initiatives that will begin in 2019. The one I’m most proud of is the launch of a program to recognize the generosity of those who are willing and able to give $1,000 or more annually ...
Read More

Wendy-Jo Toyama, MBA, CAE Some of you may have observed President’s Day on Monday, February 19 – marking the birth of two founding fathers – President Lincoln on February 12 and President Washington on February 22. I am steeped in Lincoln this month — listening to Lincoln’s Last Trial by Dan Abrams and David Fisher. While not a must read in the plethora of Lincoln literature, it is comforting to hear about his early days in the Midwest.  It reminds me of familiar places that I visited — his boyhood homes in Knob Creek, Kentucky and New Salem, Illinois, his ...
Read More

Contact: Alyssa Kirkman (919) 933-9044 alyssa.kirkman@acpa-cpf.org CHAPEL HILL, N.C. / February 12, 2019 – The association between recognized risk factors and orofacial cleft occurrence was the focus of a study published in the February 2019 issue of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal (CPCJ).  Researchers reported that maternal smoking was the factor that accounted for the largest proportion of orofacial cleft risk.  Orofacial clefts, including cleft lip with or without cleft palate and cleft palate only, are present in 17 of 10,000 live births worldwide. In most non-syndromic cases, the cause is unknown. The study, “Proportion of Orofacial Clefts Attributable to Recognized ...
Read More

Chapel Hill, NC – February 11, 2019 – The American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is pleased to announce the exhibitors for ACPA’s 76th Annual Meeting. The event is April 9-13, 2019 in Tucson, AZ. Attendees will learn from colleagues across multiple disciplines, explore advances in research, clinical and team-driven care and discuss new and old ideas with those experienced in the field. Exhibitors at the event include: 3dMD Alexion Pharmaceuticals Banner Health – Banner Children’s Specialists Barrow Cleft & Craniofacial Center/Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Plastic Surgery Division Canfield Scientific, Inc. Children’s Craniofacial Association CranioMandibular Rehab, Inc. Depuy Synthes Dr. Browns Medical EHRC ...
Read More

Bernard J. Costello, DMD, MD Under the direction of ACPA’s 2018 President, Amelia F. Drake, the ACPA Board of Directors collaborated with the National Office Team to update the strategic plan.  This is the first time the organization has conducted strategic planning since the merger with the Cleft Palate Foundation. As we reflected on our 75 years as an association, it was important to consider our strengths and accomplishments –  and to reprioritize our direction and programming to ensure a successful future.  The result is a plan – and an updated mission and values – that focuses on the individuals ...
Read More

ACPA is excited to introduce the THRIVE campaign at ACPA’s 76th Annual Meeting in Tucson, AZ.  Meeting attendees will be encouraged to support ACPA’s mission: Creating a world where people with cleft and craniofacial conditions thrive. The campaign is being co-chaired by Michael Friel, MD, FACS, FAAP and Matthew Greives, MD, FACS. A donation to ACPA supports: Patient and family education and personalized support for every stage of the cleft and craniofacial journey. ACPA professionals as they provide excellent care to patients and families. ACPA’s standards of care and connections to ACPA Approved Teams. Professional education and research through the ...
Read More