The Commission makes decisions regarding Team Approval independently, following the procedures outlined in the ACPA Team Approval Procedures Manual. Members of the Commission on Approval of Teams are not eligible to serve on the ACPA Board of Directors or Nominating Committee during their term. The Commission operates under supervision of the Board.

ACPA team approval is a voluntary and non-exclusionary process. The Commission grants ACPA Team Approval and does not certify or accredit teams. Learn more about approval versus accreditation. There is no judgment or statement of quality made about established Teams that have not elected to apply for approval; nor is holding approval required in order for health care professionals to organize and advertise themselves as a team.  However, all teams that apply for evaluation and demonstrate compliance with the standards will be listed as ACPA Approved Teams on the website and are available for the general public to reference when choosing a provider for cleft and craniofacial healthcare needs.

ACPA and the Commission offer no opinion as to any specific course of treatment for an individual patient and any decisions to undertake a course of treatment, and the content of such treatment is a matter solely between the patient and the treating team.

2026-2027* Commission Members:

  • Noopur Gangopadhyay, MD | Chicago, IL (Chair)
    Craniofacial Surgery Representative
  • Ari N. Rabkin, PhD | Columbus, OH (Chair-Elect)
    Psychology/Social Work Representative
  • Stephanie Boblooch, MSW, LCSW-C | Baltimore, MD
    Psychology/Social Work Representative
  • Jessica E. Canallatos, DDS, MS | Buffalo, NY
    Other Medical Professional Representative
  • Petra A. Duran, PhD | Phoenix, AZ
    Psychology/Social Work Representative
  • Vesna-Lea Ferrer, DMD | Portland, OR
    Orthodontics Representative
  • Earl A. Gage, MD | Boise, ID
    Cleft Lip/Palate Surgery Representative
  • Michael S. Golinko, MD, FAAP, FACS | Nashville, TN
    Craniofacial Surgery Representative
  • Karla Gruenheid, BSN, RN, PHN, LDA | Minneapolis, MN
    Care Coordination Representative
  • Camryn Heister | Lancaster, PA
    Speech Representative
  • Chung How Kau, DDS, MScD, PhD | Birmingham, AL
    Orthodontics Representative
  • Ashley Manlove, DMD, MD, FACS | Chapel Hill, NC
    Cleft Lip/Palate Surgery Representative
  • Aaron C. Mason, MD | Tucson, AZ
    Craniofacial Surgery Representative
  • Sara Neimanis, MD | Rochester, NY
    Cleft Lip/Palate Surgery Representative
  • Michael S. Nelson, MD | San Diego, CA
    Other Medical Professional Representative
  • Jessica Ogawa, MD, FAAP, FACMG | Cleveland, OH
    Other Medical Professional Representative
  • Grace Peters | New York, NY
    Public Member
  • Juliana R. Powell | Rochester, NY
    Speech Representative
  • Jill Schechter, DDS, MS, MPH | New York, NY
    Orthodontics Representative
  • Kaitlyn Scherle, MS, CCC-SLP | Milwaukee, WI
    Speech Representative
  • Amanda M. Smith, RN, BSN, CPN | Columbus, OH
    Care Coordination Representative
  • Sharon Valente, PhD | Memphis, TN
    Public Member
  • Michele G. Vidulich, PA-C | Morgantown, WV
    Care Coordination Representative
  • Gregory D. Pearson, MD | Columbus, OH
    Board Liaison

*Commission member terms are from July 1 – June 30.