A HealthBeat Special Series

Smile, baby!

A pediatric plastic surgeon pioneers a technique to repair cleft palates that leads to better speech and jaw development for children.

Health Beat Special Series
Patient Story

‘More courage than anybody’

After an innovative surgery to expand his jaw, Nate Briskey says he wouldn't change a thing.

Patient Story

‘It has changed my life completely’

A custom jaw implant makes a drastic difference in appearance and function for 18-year-old Erin Foster.

Patient Story

‘The finishing touch’

A teen gets a new chin—to match his new jaw—with a breakthrough surgical technique.

Patient Story

‘This will be life-changing for her’

Susan prayed every night for two years someone would come to her orphanage in Myanmar and offer the surgery she needed to speak clearly.

Patient Story

Big smiles

As he prepares for college, a teen takes time out for an innovative surgery that gives him a new jaw.

Patient Story

A day for smiles

Past and present cleft palate and craniofacial surgery patients connect with one another and their surgeons during a day of celebration.

Patient Story

Rare and exceptional

After dozens of surgeries, 18-year-old Jacob Taylor undergoes his most complex one: Surgeons implant custom-designed prosthetic jaw bones.

Patient Story

‘He’s a superstar’

One-year-old Isaac arrives from Honduras for medical care and wins over his caregiving team.

Patient Story

‘Wonder’ kid gets a new jaw

A 16-year-old boy has a new look and better function following pioneering facial reconstruction surgery.

Patient Story

A smile is contagious

Cleft and craniofacial patients spend a magical afternoon together at the zoo.

Patient Story

‘He’s our little Superman’

Enduring six surgeries amid the most serious form of spina bifida, 16-month-old Jeremiah Nelson continues to defy the odds.