Located on the campus of Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia, S. C., The Center was established in 1986 to meet the needs of the children of South Carolina with congenital craniofacial anomalies.

The Center provides diagnosis and treatment of a variety of congenital anomalies such as:

• cleft lip and palate
• craniosynostsis
• deformities of the ear
• deformities of the hand
• other syndromal and non-syndromal craniofacial disorders

Treatment Plan Objectives

1. To normalize the function and appearance of the child with congenital anomalies at the earliest possible age.
2. To coordinate each child's multi-disciplinary treatment plan with the primary referring physician.
3. To provide emotional support to the child and family.
4. To further the understanding and treatment of congenital anomalies through programs of research and education.

Multidisciplinary Approach

During the first visit, the child is evaluated by each specialist within The Center. An initial treatment plan is developed by the team and then coordinated with the referring physician and the patient's family. The patient's progress is then carefully monitored through periodic return visits.

Team Members

Directors
Jean-Francois Lefaivre, M.D., FRCSC
Mary J. Aitchison, M.S.P., CCC-SLP
 

Nurse Coordinator
Patsy Seawright, R.N.

Plastic Surgery
Harold I. Friedman, M.D., Ph.D.
Peter Haines, M.D.
Ram Kalus, M.D.
Jean-Francois Lefaivre, M.D., FRCSC
Richard J. Wassermann, M.D., MPH, FACS

Speech Pathology
Mary J. Aitchison, M.S.P., CCC-SLP

Oral Surgery
Heath M. Steward, D.M.D.

Otolaryngology
Frederick T. Garner, M.D.

Neurosurgery
Lenwood P. Smith, Jr., M.D.

Orthodontics
Thomas S. Davant, VI, D.M.D., M.S.
R. Sims Tomkins, D.M.D., M.S.
Kent Washington, D.D.S.

Opthalmology
Linda M. Christmann, M.D.
Janette E. White, M.D.

Genetics
Randy Colby, M.D.
Kate B. Clarkson, M.D.
Ken Corning, M.S.
Amy Toburen, M.S.

Audiology
USC Speech and Hearing Center

Nutrition
Linda Schmidt, M.S.R.D

Services Available on Referral
Child Psychology
Pediatric Dentistry

The South Carolina Center for Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Disorders offers children with congenital anomalies a multidisciplinary approach for diagnosis and treatment.

The Center is recognized by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association.

The Center carefully monitors the progress of its patients through a program of outcomes research.

The Center also plays an educational role through patient and community education.

How To Make A Referral

You may refer a patient to The South Carolina Center for Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Disorders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling:

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This page is written and maintained by Donald A. Sears, a grateful parent of a child with Apert Syndrome who is treated at The Center.   Please visit us at Teeter's Page.