| Diana Acevedo, MS, CCC-SLP |
| Diana Acevedo, MS CCC-SLP brings to the UIC craniofacial team extensive experience in working with children and adults with special needs. She received her Bachelor of Science in Audiology in Speech Sciences from Purdue University and her Master of Science in Communication Disorder from Arizona State University. Diana has practiced speech pathology in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, and private practice. Upon graduation, she completed her clinical fellowship year at the University of Chicago Hospitals where she was a member of their craniofacial/ cleft lip and palate team. Prior to joining UIC, Diana lived in South Florida and worked at Nova Southeastern University with children and adults with autism. She is excited to be working again in the cleft/craniofacial field which is the focus of her professional interests. Born in Puerto Rico, Diana is bilingual which serves her well with CFC’s large Hispanic population. |
Diana Acevedo, MS CCC-SLP
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| Howard Aduss, DDS, MS |
| Dr. Howard Aduss received his dental degree from Northwestern University and his specialty training in orthodontics at the University of Rochester where he also obtained a M.S. in Anatomy. Dr. Aduss came to The Craniofacial Center in 1962 as a Research Associate and over the years has held appointments as a Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics, Surgery and Orthodontics. Additionally, he is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. His history reflects his multiple interests as do his many publications related to the craniofacial growth of children with cleft lip and palate, hemifacial microsomia and a number of other syndromes. These studies all provide basic information related to understanding the variation within a syndrome and suggest directions for improving treatment. Dr. Aduss' experience makes him especially well qualified to meet the complex needs of The Center's patients. |
Dr. Howard Aduss |
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| Robert J. Brown, BCO |
| Robert J. Brown graduated from the University of Illinois in Chicago with a degrees in Maxillofacial Prosthetics and Medical Illustration. He completed coursework through the American Society of Ocularists toward Board Approved Diplomate standing and gained extensive clinical experience through this process. In June 1990, Mr. Brown became certified by the National Examining Board of Ocularists as a Board Approved Diplomate member of the American Society of Ocularists and a Professional member of the Association of Medical Illustrators. In addition to his considerable experience in the fitting, fabricating and care of ocular prostheses for infants, children and adults he is also recognized internationally as a medical illustrator and has illustrated numerous surgical procedures for facial plastic surgery textbooks and journals in the United States and Europe. |
Robert J. Brown, BCO |
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| Gabrielle Cager, AuD, CCC-A |
| Gabrielle Cager is originally from New Orleans, LA. She received her Masters of Arts degree from Louisiana State University in 1997 and her doctorate from the University of Florida. She has practiced Audiology in variety of settings from hospitals to private practice. Prior to joining the CFC team, she worked for seven years at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans and was a member of their Craniofacial/Cleft Lip and Palate Team. Her specialty area is Pediatric Audiology which includes diagnostic audiological evaluations and hearing aid fittings. She is nationally known for her work with osseointegrated bone-anchored hearing processors. |
Gabrielle Cager |
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| Mimis N. Cohen, MD |
| Dr. Mimis Cohen is world-renowned for his work in the field of cleft lip and palate. He is division head of plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgery and professor of surgery at the University of Illinois Medical Center where he has been associated with the cleft/craniofacial team for many years. Dr. Cohen received his medical training in Athens before coming to Chicago for specialty training in plastic surgery. He is board certified in both general and plastic surgery. Dr. Cohen brings knowledge and experience of state-of-the-art procedures as well as the emerging new techniques and innovations in plastic surgery. He is a member and past president of many professional organizations and has published more than 132 articles in peer-reviewed journals and has edited several textbooks. Dr. Cohen as lectured throughout the world on cleft lip and palate and was named one of the best doctors in Chicago in 2008 and 2010. |
Mimis N. Cohen |
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| Leslie B. Heffez, DMD, MS |
| Dr. Leslie Heffez holds the rank of Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He joined the faculty in 1983 as an Assistant Professor following graduation from Tufts School of Dental Medicine, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. In 1982 he completed a one year fellowship in cancer and reconstructive surgery and in 1986 obtained a Master’s Degree in cancer research. He is a 1979 graduate of the University of Montreal, School of Dentistry. He has authored numerous texts, chapters and publications. He has lectured nationally and internationally on the subjects of maxillofacial and temporomandibular joint reconstruction including transportation osteogensis. Dr. Heffez is board certified in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dental Anesthesiology. As an active member of the craniofacial team, he has employed pioneering osseous distraction techniques for correction of congenital and developmental facial abnormalities for patients with cleft lip and palate, Hemifacial Microsomia, trauma, and cancer. Dr. Heffez also maintains an active practice in the complete rehabilitation of patients through the use of dental osseointegrated implants. |
Dr. Leslie Heffez |
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| Terri Kaisling, RN, MBA |
| Terri Kaisling received a diploma in nursing from St. Mary of Nazareth School of Nursing in Chicago in 1981. She went on to North Park College to complete her Bachelors in Nursing in 1991 and a Masters in Business Administration in 1993. She has been employed at the University of Illinois Medical Center since 1981 as a staff nurse, administrative nurse, and discharge planner. She joined The Craniofacial Center in 1999. In her current position, she supervises all aspects of clinic operation of The Center including scheduling, billing, and coordination of patient care. Terri is an active member of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. |
Terri Kaisling |
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| Marilyn T. Miller, MD, MS |
| Marilyn T. Miller |
Marilyn T. Miller |
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| David E. Morris, MD |
| Dr. David Morris is an assistant professor in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center. After graduating from Northwestern University Medical School, he completed residencies in both general surgery and plastic surgery at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and at the University of Illinois at Chicago, respectively. Dr. Morris subsequently completed a craniofacial surgery fellowship at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan. His clinical interest lies with providing care for patients with developmental or acquired deformities of the craniofacial region. In addition he has interest in the aesthetic improvement of those patients with facial disharmony due to asymmetry or disproportionately prominent jaw or cheekbones. Prior to his medical training, Dr. Morris studied fine arts at Washington University in St. Louis and continues making use of his artistic talents through painting and drawing. His medical illustrations have been published in numerous surgical journals. |
Dr. David Morris |
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| Dimitrios Nikas, MD |
| Dr. Dmitrios Nikas received his medical degree from the University of Athens before internship and residency at Dartmouth University. He then went on to his specialty training Pediatric neurosurgery at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago and in Boston at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. At The Craniofacial Center, he specializes in the care of children with birth deformities of the skull. He believes in caring for the child and the family as one unit with the emphasis of achieving the best outcome for every child. In addition to English, Dr. Nikas speaks his native Greek as well as Korean and Lithuanian. |
Dr. Dmitrios Nikas |
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| Pravin K. Patel, MD |
| Dr. Pravin Patel is an associate professor in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center where he is Chief of Craniofacial Surgery. He received his general surgery training at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, N.Y., research and clinical fellowships in plastic surgery at University of Chicago and at Northwestern University, followed by a fellowship in craniofacial surgery at the University of California at Los Angeles. His clinical and research interests are in craniofacial surgery and in skeletal tissue engineering. Dr. Patel studied quantum electrodynamics at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, and then did graduate work in physics, until he found his true calling: medicine. He also holds an appointment at Northwestern University and is chief of craniofacial surgery at Children’s Memorial Hospital and Shriners Hospitals for Children in Chicago. |
Dr. Pravin Patel |
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| Camille A. Rea, MAMS |
| Camille Rea attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she earned her bachelor’s degree in painting. She then received a master’s degree in Biomedical Visualization from the University of Illinois at Chicago’s School of Associated Health Sciences. In 1988, she joined the Maxillofacial Prosthetics Clinic in the Craniofacial Center at the University of Illinois Hospital as a Medical Artist/Anaplastologist. In her role as Anaplastologist, her duties include patient care, education, and research. Camille has extensive experience designing and fabricating implant retained facial prostheses, having taken part in the original FDA study. She has published articles in professional journals, and has presented lectures and workshops teaching the intrinsic coloring system, and custom acrylic fingernail technique developed at the University of Illinois Maxillofacial Prosthetics Clinic. |
Camille Rea |
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| Miriam Redleaf, MD |
| Dr. Miriam Redleaf has specialty training in otolaryngology and neuro-otology. Her practice has concentrated primarily on medical and surgical problems of the ear and skull base since 1991. She attended medical school at the University of Chicago and then went on to the University of Iowa for her specialty programs. At The Craniofacial Center, Dr. Redleaf focuses on treatment of ear disease and has worked extensively with the hearing impaired. She also treats tumors of the ear canal and brain and works closely with her neurosurgery colleagues for comprehensive care of these patients. |
Dr. Miriam Redleaf |
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| David J. Reisberg, DDS |
| Dr. David Reisberg received his dental degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1977. He received a specialty certificate in Prosthodontics from Tufts University in Boston and one in Maxillofacial Prosthetics from The University of Chicago. He has been Director of the Maxillofacial Prosthetics Clinic at The University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago since 1981. In 1998, he was named Medical Director of The Craniofacial Center there. Dr Reisberg directs a team of medical and dental specialists and allied health professionals in the care of children and adults with congenital or acquired craniofacial conditions. He has served on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics and is the current president of both the International Society for Maxillofacial Rehabilitation and Ameriface, a national organization that supports people with facial differences. Dr. Reisberg is certified by the American Board of Prosthodontics. He has lectured nationally and internationally on the application of osseointegrated implants for craniofacial rehabilitation.
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Dr. David Reisberg DDS,Director Craniofacial |
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Janine Rosenberg, PhD |
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Janine Rosenberg, PhD |
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| Mark Runge, DDS, MS Orthodontics |
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Dr. Mark Runge received his dental training at Loyola University Chicago, graduating with honors in 1981. After 5 years in general dental practice, he completed his certification in Orthodontics while earning a Master of Science degree in Orthodontics at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1987. He has extensive experience treating both children and adults with cleft palate and associated craniofacial conditions. Dr. Runge is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, the Illinois Society of Orthodontists, and the American Cleft Palate – Craniofacial Association. In addition to his professional commitments, Dr. Runge is interested in fine art photography and historical preservation. |
Mark Runge, DDS, MS Orthodontics |
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| Mattie L. Sago, MSW Social Services |
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Ms. Sago received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from The University of Illinois at Chicago and her Master of Social Work from Jane Addams College of Social Work. She has been employed as a social worker at The University since June 2001. Prior to that she was employed at the Department of Children and Family Services, having more than 14 years of experience working with families referred to the state due to allegations of child abuse and neglect. In her current position, she assesses the needs of families going through a medical crisis and provides interventions with the goal of reducing the potential for medical neglect. She has a special interest in community outreach programs. |
Mattie L. Sago, MSW Social Services |
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| Rosemary Seelaus, MAMS Anaplastology, Facial Prosthetics |
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Rosemary Seelaus, MAMS Anaplastology, Facial Prosthetics |
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| Maya B. Shahani, MD Pediatrics |
| Maya Shahani completed her Residency in General Pediatrics at The Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Boston University. She was Director of Rehabilitation Medicine in Pediatrics and Medicine at Beverly Hospital in Boston following which she held the position of Director of The Pediatric Rehabilitation Programs at Spaulding Hospital in Boston for six years. During this time, she continued the private practice of Pediatrics with special emphasis on developmental problems. She is currently Clinical Assistant Professor of General and Emergency Pediatrics and Chief Pediatrician in The Craniofacial Center at The University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center. She also directs the Pediatric Externship for medical students and pediatric residents within The Center. Dr. Shahani has special research interests in the feeding problems of infants with cleft/craniofacial conditions and in the growth and development of these patients. She has lectured on these to s and participates in continuing education courses at Harvard Medical School.
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| Erica Torresso Cosmetology |
| Beauty Consulting |
Erica Torresso, Cosmetology, Beauty Consulting |
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| Linping Zhao, PhD Research |
| Research Specialist |
Linping Zhao, PhD Research |
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Maria Aguilar, Dental Assistant III |
| Maria has been a dental assistant for 20years. She has experience working in private practice and institutions. She joined The Craniofacial Center in 1999. Her primary duties include assisting in restorative dental procedures and for special oral and facial clinical procedures; taking intraoral, panoramic, cephalometric and 3d x-rays; sterilization of instruments; and tracking inventory and ordering supplies in The Maxillofacial Prosthetics Clinic. She is also trained in medical center patient registration and the Cerner medical records system and assists in the clinic reception area. Maria is certified in several auxiliary duties such as placement of dental sealants and coronal polishing. She is fluent in English and Spanish and serves as an interpreter for our many Hispanic patients. |
Maria Aguilar |
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| Gloria Aguirre
Coordinator, Patient Support Services |
| Gloria served as dental assistant in the UIC College of Dentistry since 1987 before joining the Maxillofacial Prosthetics Clinic in The Center in 1996. In January 2000 she accepted her current position as Patient Support Services Coordinator. Her duties include greeting and registering patients, making appointments, billing and reconciliation, medical records control, and Spanish-English interpreting. In 2001, she received the UIC Merit Award in recognition of her valuable service. |
Gloria Aquirre |
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| Sharon Duckwiley,
Customer Service Representative II |
| Sharon Duckwiley
Customer Service Representative II
After graduating an AA degree in Social Service, Sharon returned to school and received a certificate as a Clinical Medical Assistant. She has worked in a hospital outpatient care setting for 25 years. Her duties in The Craniofacial Center include patient registration and appointment scheduling. Her warm, friendly demeanor helps her with what she enjoys most about her job, helping patients. |
 Sharon Duckwiley |
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| Lilia Gomez, Customer Service Representative I |
| Lilia Gomez is a valued Customer Service Representative I. |
Lilia Gomez |
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| Johnny Nash, Dental Technology III |
| Johnny Nash is a Dental Technology III. |
Johnny Nash |
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| Suzy Ochoa, Dental Assistant III |
| Suzy worked for 5 years in both the medical and dental fields and joined the Center in 2000. She performs many tasks as the dental assistant in The Cleft/Craniofacial Clinic. She takes digital and 3D photographs of all new patients; takes panoramic, cephalometric and 3d x-rays; sterilizes instruments; and tracks inventory and orders clinical supplies. Her primary responsibility is chairside assisting in The Center’s orthodontic practice and helps in the reception area with patient registration, scheduling, and Spanish interpreting. Suzy is certified in coronal polishing and placement of dental sealants and in patient registration and the hospital’s computerized medical records systems. |
Suzy Ochoa |
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| Alma Rodriguez, Customer Service Representative II |
Alma Rodriguez is a valued Customer Service Representative II.
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Alma Rodriguez |
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