Cleft Community Advisory Council
The CCAC is an important part of Smile Train's community. Informed by their own experiences with clefts, our members help advance the organization’s communications strategies, and through an array of engagement activities, help strengthen the US cleft community.
2023 CCAC Members
Nora Abu Hassan
Sonja Ashcraft
Chelsea Baratto
Ashley Barbour
Abigail Barreto
Eric Bates
Kavitha Bhaskar
Carl Eric Bodo
Teresa Bridges
Tish Burke
Monica Bush
Amanda Canary
Robert D'Auria
Kayla Dawson
Melissa Dillon
Karine Dombroff
Kate Donavan
Anna Ellis
Samantha Elmore
Christine Errico
Jason Fagley
Jessi Fasse
Alyson Ferguson
Allison Fors
Marie Gettel-Gilmartin
Lindsay Grenert
Tracy Guy
Brooke Hansen
Debbie Hanson
Serena Heid
Sally Hiraldo
Susan Hollis
Christina Larrow
Alexis Lee
Matthew Lenius
Christine Maier
Dennis Martin
Nathalie Martinez
Victoria Matey
Bonnie McLaughlin
Hannah McNeal
Caitlin Mesiano
Lauren Michalsen
Dillion Miller
Jennifer Miner
Linda Morris
Jamie Paratore
Luci Capo Rome
Samuel Rosen
Jim Rowe
Suzanne Santomieri
Patricia Savely
Anastasia Shender
Julia Stidham
Victoria Stolle
Matt Suellentrop
Allison Trenerry
Elle Walters
Toni-Elizabeth Wilkerson
Jessi Williams
Sara Williamson
Growing Up With a Cleft
Ashley Barbour, Christine Errico, and Amy Wilde open up about their personal experiences growing up with clefts, share what they wish more people understood about clefts, and offer suggestions on how parents can best support their children through their cleft care journeys.
Having a Child With a Cleft
Chelsea Baratto, Jessi Fasse, and Susan Hollis share a candid conversation about their experiences as mothers to children with clefts. They discuss how they navigate challenges ranging from school to the healthcare system and share their advice to new parents of children with clefts.
Logistical Challenges in Cleft Care
Alyson Ferguson, Christine Errico, and Jessi Williams discuss their own connections to clefts and some of the greatest logistical hurdles they’ve faced in accessing high-quality care. They also share advice for others beginning their cleft care journeys.
Patient and Family Resources
Smile Train aims to support families worldwide by creating, connecting, and sharing resources about comprehensive cleft care. Explore our site to find expert advice and resources!