CHOP Clinicians Return to Venezuela for Cleft Repair Mission

Clinicians from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Cleft Lip and Palate Program returned to Cumana, Venezuela in July 2015 as part of a two-week Rotaplast International mission trip to screen and perform surgeries on children with cleft lips and palates, clefting deformities, and other challenging deformities such as microtia (undeveloped ears). To kick off the trip, the team screened more than 240 patients in one day in preparation for seven days of reconstructive surgery. 

Rotaplast is the charitable arm of the Rotary Club. The group organizes multiple cleft missions each year. 

David Low, MD, served as medical director for the team of plastic surgeons, pediatricians, anesthesiologists, nurses, and Rotary Club volunteers, which included pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgeons Oksana Jackson, MD, former CHOP attending plastic surgeon Renee Jespersen, MD, and emeritus orthodontist Rosario Mayro, DMD, DDS.