Representatives from the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) and the Cleft Palate Foundation (CPF) recently visited the Duke Cleft and Craniofacial Center and gave the team a glowing review. Wendy-Jo Toyama, ACPA Executive director, observed patient/family interactions and says it is “powerful to see care in action.”
The Duke Cleft and Craniofacial Center voluntarily subjects itself to review in order to collaborate with the ACPA and CPF in providing patient care in a coordinated, consistent manner, and with the patient’s overall developmental, medical, and psychological needs in mind. This partnership is achieved through Duke’s ability to meet certain ACPA and CPF standards regarding team composition and management, overall communication, competence, psychological and social services, and outcomes assessment. The ACPA and CPF use a Commission on Approval of Teams to manage this process, for which Duke has already been approved.
During her visit to Duke, Toyama was joined by Stephanie Williams, CPF Director of Operations, and Hillary Jones, ACPA Communications and Team Services Manager. The team was inspired to see real-time application of ACPA and CPF standards, and said it was rewarding to see “interdisciplinary team care and collaboration in action,” which enforces the important work done by the ACPA and CPF.
Duke Cleft and Craniofacial Center
The craniofacial team at Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center offers a multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cleft palate and other craniofacial deformities in children and adolescents.