Cleft and Craniofacial Center

Overview

Each child’s comprehensive care team includes a plastic surgeon, oral-maxillofacial surgeon, orthodontist, otolaryngologist, speech therapist, dietitian, pediatrician, geneticist and other associated specialists. All care is provided in a family-centered environment regardless of the families' ability to pay.

We understand the stress and uncertainty that come with having a child with a cleft lip, cleft palate or other craniofacial disorder. Our goal is to ensure easy access to the care your child needs. After the age of 18, your child’s care team will determine the appropriate time to transition care to a Massachusetts General Hospital specialist for continued follow up through adulthood.

Conditions Treated

• Cleft lip
• Cleft palate

Collaborative Approach to Care

At the Cleft and Craniofacial Center, we have a comprehensive team of experts who treat children with craniofacial conditions. After checking in, you will be escorted to your exam room. All of the specialists your child needs to see that day will come to you, including the oral surgeon, plastic surgeon, nurses, orthodontist, speech pathologist and dietitian. This multidisciplinary model of care allows for all of your child’s care providers to be informed and aligned on the treatment plan throughout all stages of care.

Nurse care managers and social workers are available during and in between appointments to assist patients and their families with the psychosocial issues associated with craniofacial conditions and to ensure the best outcomes for the patient and family.

To Make an Appointment

Parents of new patients wishing to speak directly to an intake coordinator may call 617-371-4843. Referring physicians or members of OB/GYN and neonatology teams wishing to speak directly to the team coordinator may call Sandy Barrett at 617-371-4733 or Kathy Hannigan at 617-371-4730.

To schedule an appointment for an existing patient, please call 617-371-4731.

For general hospital information, please call 617-722-3000.

When patients are evaluated, surgical and other follow-up appointments will be determined and scheduled as appropriate. Doctors are also available for consultations with expectant parents whose child has been diagnosed in utero with a cleft or other craniofacial issue.

Meet the Team

• Kavitha L. Ranganathan, MD, Director, Craniofacial Reconstruction, Brigham and Women's Hospital
• Zachary Peacock, MD, DMD, Co-Director, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
• Carlos Duran, MD, Pediatrician
• Branko Bojovic, MD, Plastic Surgeon
• William Austen, Jr., MD, Plastic Surgeon
• Christopher Hartnick, MD, Otolaryngologist
• Leonard Kaban, MD, DMD, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
• Cheryl Hersh, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
• Kathy Hannigan, RN, BSN, Team Coordinator
• Sandra Barrett, RN, BSN, CCM, Team Coordinator
• Jennifer Hall, MS, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietitian

News

Closing the Genetic Gap in Orofacial Clefts - 1/1/2016, Mass General

Researchers from Mass General for Children are using animal models to investigate the genetic and cellular triggers of human clefting. Their findings could lead to the development of earlier detection and more effective treatments capable of halting or reversing cleft development.