Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)

Samantha Brugmann, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Plastic Surgery, has won the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. Brugmann, a developmental biologist, is one of only 105 winners this year; the Department of Health and Human Services nominated her for her studies of avian models of human craniofacial development. The Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers 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." The Presidential Early Career Awards highlight the key role that the administration places in encouraging and accelerating American innovation to grow our economy, and tackle our greatest challenges. Awardees are selected for their pursuit of innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology, and their commitment to community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education, or community outreach.

Predicting Success and Optimizing Outcomes in Neonates with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Brian Pan, MD, has collaborated with researches in the Divisions of Otolaryngology, Pulmonology Medicine and Human Genetics to study the outcomes of neonates who underwent mandibular distraction for micrognathia (small jaw) at Cincinnati Children’s. This represents the largest reported series in the world. He received a Hardisty Grant from Shriner’s Hospital for Children—Cincinnati to build a model to predict success following surgical intervention.

Treacher Collins Syndrome Center

The Division of Plastic Surgery, in partnership with the Craniofacial Center, and the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, are pleased to announce that we will be moving forward with a Treacher Collins program that will uniquely position Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, both nationally and internationally, as a provider of the highest degree of coordinated care for this complex group of patients.

Research & Academic Advancement in Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery

Dr. Thomas Sitzman, MD, was recently awarded a five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study outcomes of cleft lip and palate surgery. The award will support his ongoing research to identify factors that contribute to inequality in surgical outcomes for children with cleft lip and palate. The award will also improve the capability of the craniofacial research community to conduct clinical research by developing a strategy for implementing standardized, multi-dimensional measurement of patient outcomes.

Dr. Sitzman was also named an ASPS/Operation Smile International Scholar for 2016-2017. This is an academic program sponsored by the Plastic Surgery Foundation that includes participation in an Operation Smile cleft lip and palate mission and participation in the annual Operation Smile International Medical Conference. During the program Dr. Sitzman will learn about Operation Smile’s program for monitoring surgical quality in low-resource environments and how this apply to high-resource environments in the US.