Skip to Main ContentSkip to Footer

Pediatric Cleft and Craniofacial Program

The Cleft and Craniofacial Program's team at Monroe Carell brings experts from multiple specialties together to treat your child's cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial disorders. We know these delicate, complex procedures can be difficult to understand. We're here to help with compassionate care tailored to your child and family.

We coordinate care with your child’s primary care doctor for treatment plans that bring lifelong improvements in quality of life and appearance. Our team includes you and experts in the Fetal Center, audiology, genetics, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, dentistry, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, psychology, social work and speech therapy.

Our team of expert, caring providers aims to become global leaders in championing children with cleft and craniofacial differences through exemplary personalized care, continued innovation and education.

Conditions We Treat

We treat all cleft and craniofacial conditions, including:

Meet Your Care Team

Meet additional program staff members.

Michael S. Golinko
star empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.8

Michael S. GolinkoBS, MD

    Cleft Lip and Palate, Craniofacial Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery, Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Ryan H. Belcher
star empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.9

Ryan H. BelcherMD, MPH

    ENT Ear, Nose, Throat (Otolaryngology), Head and Neck Cancer, Hearing and Speech, Nose and Sinus Conditions, Otolaryngology, Pediatric Cleft Lip and Palate, Pediatric Otolaryngology
Christopher M. Bonfield
star empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.7

Christopher M. BonfieldMD

    Congenital Malformations of the Brain and Spinal Cord, Craniofacial Surgery, Neurologic Surgery, Neurological Disorders, Surgery, Neurological Surgery, Orthopaedics, Pediatric Neurologic Surgery
Stephane A. Braun
star empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.7

Stephane A. BraunMD

    Breast Reconstructive Surgery, Cleft Lip and Palate, Fetal Surgery for Spina Bifida, Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery, Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Izabela A. Galdyn

Izabela A. GaldynMD

    Cleft Lip and Palate, Ear Deformities, Facial Paralysis, Hand Surgery, Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Peripheral Nerve, Plastic Surgery
Louise A. Mawn
star empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.9

Louise A. MawnMD

    Droopy Eye Lid, Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology Surgery, Plugged Tear Ducts, Swollen Eye Lid
Liz Ellis

Liz EllisAuD, CCC-A

    Audiology, Hearing Aid Services, Hearing Disorders, Hearing Loss, Hearing and Speech Sciences, Otolaryngology, Pediatric Audiology
Derrick R. Sowder

Derrick R. SowderSLP

    Hearing and Speech, Hearing and Speech Sciences, Pediatric Speech Language Pathology, Speech Language Pathology, Speech and Language Disorders
Amber N. Winston

Amber N. WinstonMA, CCC-SLP

    Autism Disorders, Feeding / Swallowing Therapy, Hearing and Speech, Hearing and Speech Sciences, Pediatric Speech Language Pathology, Speech Language Pathology
Margaret V. Maclin
star empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
5

Margaret V. MaclinDMD, BS

    Cleft Lip and Palate, Pediatric Dentistry, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Samuel J. McKenna
star empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar empty iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.7

Samuel J. McKennaMD, DDS

    Dental Implant Reconstruction, Facial Trauma, Facial and Jaw Reconstruction, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Skeletal Facial Deformities, Total TM Joint Replacement
Arie L. Nettles

Arie L. NettlesPhD, MS, BS

    Child Development, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Developmental Delay, Developmental Medicine, Pediatric Developmental Medicine
Clare E. Gargaro

Clare E. GargaroPA, MHSA

    Cleft Lip and Palate, Craniofacial Surgery, Ear Deformities, Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Why Choose the Cleft and Craniofacial Program at Monroe Carell

  • medical chart, clipboard, cross, Knowledge and experience
    Cleft & craniofacial expertise

    Our division chief, co-directors and program lead work with all the surgeons and providers to establish a relationship with your family and provide personalized team-based care.

  • conference, Team approach, people, staff, partners
    Expert care

    Our cleft and craniofacial experts and neurosurgeon bring longstanding craniofacial expertise to Children's. They have trained at such institutions as Johns Hopkins, NYU and the University of Pittsburgh, and are nationally recognized experts and published authors in their fields. They bring a compassionate, patient-based approach to multiple treatments for craniosynostosis and associated syndromes. Our program tailors treatment especially for your child, including endoscopic-assisted craniosynostosis repair, open repair and cranial vault distraction.

  • diploma, award, ribbon, Recognized care, quality
    Recognized care

    As a part of our “prenatal to prom” approach, we are in compliance with the guidelines and standards for cleft care of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA). Expert clinicians from one of the top speech and hearing programs in the nation will care for your child with comprehensive diagnosis and therapy. Our specialty program for children with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) features these same speech and language experts.

  • bookmark, star, Unique expertise, excellence, school-based programs
    Collaborative care

    Ours is one of few Cleft & Craniofacial programs that feature on-site dental and orthodontic experts. They often take part in our routine evaluations and can offer your child ongoing care. We are proud to offer nasoalveolar molding (NAM) to aid in the success of cleft repair. Many of our consultations for NAM can take place in our pioneering Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Learn More about the Cleft & Craniofacial Program

Meet our Director and Team Lead, see a story about one of our patients, and know what to expect during your visit. Click the menu link in the upper right corner of the video window to see the full playlist.

Tests, Treatments and Services

We offer a full range of tests, treatments and services, including:

  • checkmark icon
    Cleft rhinoplasty
  • checkmark icon
    Endoscopic craniosynostosis repair
  • checkmark icon
    Helmet molding therapy
  • checkmark icon
    Lip reconstruction surgery
  • checkmark icon
  • checkmark icon
    Post-trauma cranial and facial reconstruction
  • checkmark icon
    Reconstructive palate surgery

Locations

2200 Children's Way, 7th Floor
Nashville, TN 37232
Today's hours:8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Vanderbilt Oral Health
2111 Belcourt Avenue, Suite 201
Nashville, TN 37212