2026 Pre-Conference Symposium:
Advancing Global Cleft Care: Opportunities, Innovations, and Partnerships
Date/Time: Tuesday, March 24 at 12:30 – 5:30 pm ET
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.
More information, including the detailed schedule and full list of speakers, is coming soon.
