Faculty member in the Division of Plastic Surgery Receives the Prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

Samantha A. Brugmann, PhD and Assistant Professor in the Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics, in the Divisions of Plastic Surgery and Developmental Biology within the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, has been named a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. This achievement is the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers. 

“These early-career scientists are leading the way in our efforts to confront and understand challenges from climate change to our health and wellness,” President Obama said. “We congratulate these accomplished individuals and encourage them to continue to serve as an example of the incredible promise and ingenuity of the American people.” 

Brugmann joined Cincinnati Children’s in January 2011 to study craniofacial development and disease. She has received several grants from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH including the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award for Individual Postdoctoral Fellows (F32), the NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00), and an NIH Research Project Grant (R01) to carry out this work.

Welcome Dr. Mahmoud Hassouba

The Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery welcomes Dr. Mahmoud Hassouba, the craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery fellow for 2015-2016. Dr. Hassouba completed medical school and his plastic surgery training at Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt. He sought further fellowship training in maxillofacial surgery. His goal is to excel in the field of craniofacial surgery and enhance his clinical, teaching, and research skills in an environment that promotes regular and high quality patient care.

Dr. Hathaway Addresses European Craniofacial Congress and Helps to Form New Association

Ron Hathaway, DDS, MS, MS, Professor, Division of Craniofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center addressed the 10th European Craniofacial Congress (ECC) in Gothenburg, Sweden on June 26, 2015.

He was the North American speaker in a one half day general session devoted to European-American collaboration. His presentation, A Perspective on European- North American Cleft Palate Outcome Studies: A Dialogue for Sharing and Exploring Future Directions reflected on his experiences as the current President of the American Cleft Palate- Craniofacial Association in strategic planning for research initiatives as well as his experiences as a charter member of Americleft, a North American cohort group dedicated to studying inter-center outcomes for children born with cleft lip and palate. Dr. Hathaway reviewed the current state of cleft palate outcome research in North America and emphasized the need for leadership development, sustainability and innovative collaboration.

In addition, Dr. Hathaway worked as an advisor with ECC leaders on a proposal to form the European Craniofacial Association (ECA). The proposal was voted upon and successfully adopted by representatives from 32 countries. It was felt that this will lead to new collaborations and will strengthen relations with the European Union (EU) by having a united voice for the support of children with facial differences. Previous to this, advocacy had occurred as an effort by each country’s separate organization. The next Congress will occur in 2019 in Utrecht City, The Netherlands.

PLACE Outcomes Award Recipient

Outcome measurement is a cornerstone of quality improvement research. Yet, in cleft surgery, U.S. centers do not rigorously measure their patients’ outcomes. Current measures are provider and center dependent. To achieve similar improvements in cleft surgery, there is a critical need to consistently measure patient outcomes and to use these results to drive improvement. Dr. Sitzman’s long-term goal is to design healthcare delivery interventions that reduce variation and improve outcomes for children with cleft palate and cleft lip, and to conduct clinical trials to determine the efficacy and effectiveness of these interventions.

Congratulations Betsy Schock

Betsy Schock, a 3rd year graduate student in the Brugmann Lab, was awarded a Predoctoral F31 fellowship from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) at the National Institute of Health (NIH), to explore the role of primary cilia in surface ectoderm during craniofacial development. F31 fellowships are designed to enhance research and career development for advanced PhD students who have strong training potential. Congratulations to Betsy for this outstanding achievement.

Welcome Dr. John van Aalst

We are pleased to welcome John van Aalst, MD, as the new Division Director of Plastic Surgery, effective September 2, 2014. Dr. van Aalst’s current clinical work focuses on the multidisciplinary care required by children with craniofacial anomalies. He is devoted to providing care for these children both at home and around the world.

Welcome Dr. Craig Gendron

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Craig Gendron is our new clinical craniofacial fellow. Dr. Gendron graduated from the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. His most recent appointment was as Chief Resident, section of Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery, Health Sciences Center & St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Dr. Gordon’s Cuba Mission Trip

In 2014, Dr. Christopher Gordon and Dr. Scott Rapp treated patients in Cuba; taking supplies and making the best of what little resources were available. They performed pro-bono surgeries on patients who would have otherwise gone untreated. This is possible due to Dr. Gordon’s collaboration with the William Solar Children’s Hospital and the Calixto Garcia Hospital. Dr. Gordon has been asked to assist with complex reconstruction surgeries on cancer patients utilizing new techniques developed at Cincinnati Children's.