2026 Pre-Conference Symposium:
Advancing Global Cleft Care: Opportunities, Innovations, and Partnerships
Date/Time: Tuesday, March 24 at 12:30 – 5:30 pm ET
Description: This pre-conference symposium convenes global surgery leaders, technology innovators, and NGO partners to explore collaborative approaches to advancing cleft care in low- and middle-income countries. Dr. John Meara will deliver a keynote address on the landscape and future of global cleft surgery within the broader context of surgical care in LMICs. This will be followed by a panel showcasing how emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence, mixed reality, and 3D printing—are being deployed to enhance cost-effective cleft care in resource-limited settings. The symposium will feature a panel of international NGO leaders discussing (and debating!) opportunities for cross-organizational collaboration, the role of cleft care in health systems strengthening, and various disruptive funding and operational models. Building upon insights and themes from our recent Global Care SIG Webinar, these leaders will also address the critical role of NGOs in training, equipping, and partnering with key stakeholders to transition global cleft care from surgical camps to interdisciplinary longitudinal care models. The symposium will conclude with a Global Volunteer Forum, providing an opportunity for all participants to share their field experiences—discussing what works, what challenges remain, and what opportunities lie ahead based on their cumulative volunteer experience in global cleft care. Ample time throughout the program will be dedicated to audience participation, questions, and discussion with all speakers and panelists. This session is designed for global health veterans and newcomers alike—offering valuable insights for trainees, educators, clinicians across all disciplines, and anyone exploring how they can contribute to building partnerships for sustainable cleft care worldwide.
Please find the symposium agenda and speakers listed below. Please note that details are subject to change.
Moderators:
Ruben Ayala, MD, MSc
Ryan Belcher, MD, MPH
Solomon Obiri-Yeboah, MD, DMD
Raj Vyas, MD
Speakers:
Amanda Gosman, MD
Usama Hamdan, MD, FICS
Anne Hing, MD
John Meara, MD, DMD, MBA
Prasad Nalabothu, MDS, FCFD, FDS RCPS, PhD
Matthew Pontell, MD
Erin Stieber, JD
Raj Vyas, MD
Agenda
12:30-1:30 p.m. – Keynote, Global Surgery in the 21st Century and the Role of the Cleft Community in Surgical System Strengthening
John Meara, MD, DMD, MBA
1:30-2:30 p.m. – Use of Technology to Facilitate Cleft Care in LMICs
Moderator: Ryan Belcher, MD, MPH
Panelists: Matthew Pontell, MD; Prasad Nalabothu, MDS, FCFD, FDS RCPS, PhD; Raj Vyas, MD
2:30-2:45 p.m. – Break
2:45-4:15 p.m. – NGO Leaders Panel
Moderator: Ruben Ayala, MD, MSc
Panelists: Erin Stieber, JD (Smile Train); Usama Hamdan, MD, FICS (Global Smile Foundation); Amanda Gosman, MD (SHARE, ConnectMed); Anne Hing, MD (PACT – Seattle)
4:15-4:30 p.m. – Break
4:30-5:30 p.m. – Global Volunteers’ Forum
Moderator: Solomon Obiri-Yeboah, MD, DMD
Participants: All attendees who have or are contemplating participating in global cleft care
Learning Objectives:
At the completion of this activity, learners will be able to:
- Identify two emerging technologies being deployed to enhance cost-effective cleft care in resource-limited settings.
- Discuss two opportunities for cross-organizational Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) collaboration.
- Describe two ways a cleft healthcare professional could contribute to building partnerships for sustainable cleft care worldwide.
Learning Outcomes:
At the completion of this activity, learners will be able to:
- Self-assess a gain in knowledge related to the opportunities, innovations and partnerships in Global Cleft Care.
- Self-assess that they will improve their performance in their clinical practice based on knowledge gained.
- Self-assess that they anticipate improved patient outcomes based on changes in their performance.
Teaching Methods: Lecture, Discussion, Panels
Attendees must claim credit by May 1, 2026.
Intended Learners
All healthcare professionals caring for people with cleft and craniofacial conditions, to include but not limited to:
Physicians
Dental Professionals
Speech Language Pathologists
Audiologists
Nurses (RNs, APNs, LPNs)
Dieticians
Psychologists
Social Workers
Physician Assistants
Accredited Continuing Education
ACPA is accredited by ACCME and ANCC, approved by ASHA, and recognized by ADA CERP, to provide accredited continuing education to physicians, nurses, SLPs, audiologists, and dentists.
Continuing Medical Education
The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association designates this live activity for 4.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Nursing Continuing Professional Development
The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
This live educational activity is offered for 4.50 Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) contact hours.
Continuing Dental Education
The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association designates this live activity for 4.50 continuing education credits.
Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at CCEPR.ADA.org.
Continuing Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Education
The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is approved by the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to provide continuing education activities in speech-language pathology and audiology.
ASHA CE Provider Approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.
DISCLOSURES
All financial relationships have been mitigated.
Commercial Support: None
No Financial or Non-financial Relationships Declared.
Speakers & Moderators:
Ruben Ayala
Ryan Belcher
Amanda Gosman
Usama Hamdan
Anne Hing
John Meara
Prasad Nalabothu
Matthew Pontell
Erin Stieber
Raj Vyas
Solomon Obiri-Yeboah
Planning Committee Members:
Yvonne Gutierrez
Judy Marciel (Nurse Planner)
Phuong Nguyen
Solomon Obiri-Yeboah
Fadekemi Oginni
Caitlyn Reinauer
John van Aalst
Raj Vyas
