Cleft Palate and Velopharyngeal Dysfunction: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Evaluation and Management

Richly illustrated with clear drawings and photographs, as well as with instructional audio and video files, this is the first and only book dedicated solely to the in-depth, state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary diagnosis and management of cleft palate and velopharyngeal dysfunction. Co-edited by a pediatric plastic surgeon and a speech scientist who are internationally-recognized leaders in the field, and with chapters written by well-known experts, the work is intended to fill the need for a comprehensive text to address the interdisciplinary assessment and management of cleft palate and velopharyngeal dysfunction. 

Cleft Palate and Velopharyngeal Dysfunction will serve as a valuable resource for surgeons, speech pathologists and others that care for children and adults with cleft palate and velopharyngeal dysfunction. 

Richard E. Kirschner, MD

With over 25 years’ experience in caring for children with facial differences.Dr. Kirschner is internationally recognized as a leading authority in cleft lip and palate, velopharyngeal dysfunction, and 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.  He serves as the Robert and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation Endowed Chair in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chief of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Director of the Cleft Lip and Palate Center, and Co-Director of the 22q Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio and as Professor of Pediatrics of Plastic Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.  He has served as President of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association and is the co-editor of Comprehensive Cleft Care and its family edition. He is the Co-Founder and President of Magical Moments Foundation, a nonprofit wish granting organization that works to renew a sense of hope, joy, wonder, and empowerment in children with facial differences.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

700 Children's Drive

Columbus, OH 43205

Adriane L. Baylis, PhD

Adriane L. Baylis, PhD, CCC-SLP, has served as a craniofacial speech-language pathologist and clinical researcher for over 20 years. As Director of the Velopharyngeal Dysfunction (VPD) Program and Co-Director of the 22q Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital she leads nationally recognized clinical programs to optimize the speech outcomes of children with cleft palate, VPD, and 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Dr. Baylis is also Associate Professor of Clinical Plastic Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and directs the Craniofacial Speech Fellowship Program at Nationwide Children’s. She served as 2024 President of the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association and has served in leadership roles on multiple NIH funded studies investigating surgical and speech outcomes of children with cleft palate and VPD.