FACE Forward - Families and Advocacy for Craniofacial Equity

09/21/2026

A beautiful reminder of the power of representation. 🧸

See how this parent lovingly adds clefts to her child's toys. For a child, seeing a toy that looks just like them can make all the difference in feeling understood, proud, and comforted through surgeries and recovery.

We are so grateful for creative parents who share these inspiring ideas to uplift the entire cleft community.💙

07/20/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Face Forward team member Shivam Patel on presenting his research at the 64th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons (MAPS)! We are incredibly proud to see our team represented on the regional stage and celebrate Shivam’s dedication to improving access to cleft care through impactful research. His work reflects Face Forward’s mission of advancing equitable access to high-quality craniofacial care for patients and families. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement. We can’t wait to see all that you accomplish next!



🎉 ¡Felicitaciones al miembro del equipo de Face Forward, Shivam Patel, por presentar su investigación en la 64.ª Reunión Anual de la Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons (MAPS)! Estamos increíblemente orgullosos de ver a nuestro equipo representado en este importante escenario regional y de celebrar la dedicación de Shivam para mejorar el acceso a la atención de pacientes con labio y paladar hendido mediante una investigación de gran impacto. Su trabajo refleja la misión de Face Forward de promover un acceso equitativo a una atención craneofacial de alta calidad para los pacientes y sus familias. ¡Felicitaciones por este gran logro! ¡Estamos ansiosos por ver todo lo que lograrás en el futuro!

07/11/2026

We raised $547.93 for FACE Forward at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams on July 9, 2026! All of the proceeds will go towards our mission of advocacy and support for patients and families with Cleft and Craniofacial differences. Thank you to everyone who continues to support our mission.😄

If you missed us this past Thursday and are feeling generous, please see the link in our bio.

07/10/2026

Thank you to Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams for sponsoring this event and a huge thank you to everyone who came to beat the heat with us today! All of the proceeds will go towards our mission of advocacy and support for patients and families with Cleft and Craniofacial differences.

07/07/2026

It’s that time again… Sweet treats for a great cause!🍦
Join us for a fundraiser with Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams! On Thursday, July 9, from 4:00–7:00 PM, 25% of your purchase at Jeni’s West Loop will be donated to FACE Forward to support our mission of empowering children and families affected by cleft and craniofacial differences through advocacy, education, research, and community.
Bring your friends, family, and your sweet tooth. We can’t wait to see you there! 💙
📍 Jeni’s West Loop
908 W. Randolph Street
Chicago, IL

07/01/2026

💜July is Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness Month💜
At FACE Forward, we are proud to stand alongside children with craniofacial differences and their families this month and every month.
Our mission is to advocate for children with craniofacial differences and their families by providing peer support, education, impactful research, and meaningful resources that empower and uplift our community. We are committed to building a future where every child has access to compassionate, evidence-based care and every family feels supported, prioritized, and heard.
Through advocacy, research, and community-building, we strive to advance health equity and improve the quality of life for families in Chicago and beyond.
This month, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and beauty of every craniofacial journey.

💜Julio es el Mes de Concientización sobre Labio Hendido y Diferencias Craneofaciales💜
En FACE Forward, nos sentimos orgullosos de acompañar a los niños con diferencias craneofaciales y a sus familias, este mes y siempre.
Nuestra misión es apoyar y defender a los niños y familias brindando apoyo entre pares, educación, investigación de impacto y recursos significativos que fortalezcan y acompañen a nuestra comunidad. Estamos comprometidos con construir un futuro donde cada niño tenga acceso a una atención compasiva y basada en evidencia, y donde cada familia se sienta escuchada, apoyada y valorada.
A través de la defensa, la investigación y la construcción de comunidad, buscamos promover la equidad en salud y mejorar la calidad de vida de las familias en Chicago y más allá.
Este mes celebramos la fortaleza, resiliencia y belleza de cada trayectoria craneofacial.

05/16/2026

Recap of FACE Forward at the Rush University 4th Annual Department of Surgery Research Day. Our award-winning abstract, “Determinants of Delayed Cleft Palate Repair in the United States: A Systematic Review,” was presented by our wonderful board member, Luz Mata-Iriarte!

Through this systematic review, our team identified how factors such as race & ethnicity, insurance status, socioeconomic status, and other social determinants influence access to care, surgical timing, and outcomes in cleft palate repair. These findings highlight critical disparities in craniofacial healthcare and reinforce the importance of continued research aimed at advancing equitable care for all patients.

Our team remains deeply committed to investigating areas where meaningful intervention can improve access, outcomes, and quality of craniofacial care.

We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Rush University Libraries, Dr. Tulsi Roy from the Rush Craniofacial Center, and Dr. Laura Deon from the Rush Medical College Health Equity and Social Justice Leadership Program for their invaluable guidance and support throughout this project.

05/04/2026

Meet the Board of Face Forward💚

Director of Finances and Fundraising: Zach
Director of Community Outreach: Luz
Director of Research: Havish
Director of Clinical Operations: Tina
Director of Communications and Marketing: Ime
Patient Navigators: Eliya & Shivam

Together, this team is committed to expanding access to cleft and craniofacial care, uplifting underserved communities, and supporting children and families every step of their journey. We are dedicated to advancing equity, advocacy, and compassionate care in everything we do.
—
Conozcan al equipo de Face Forward💚

Director de Finanzas y Recaudación de Fondos: Zach
Directora de Alcance Comunitario: Luz
Director de Investigación: Havish
Directora de Operaciones Clínicas: Tina
Directora de Comunicaciones y Marketing: Ime
Navegadores de Pacientes: Eliya y Shivam

Juntos, este equipo está comprometido a ampliar el acceso a la atención de labio y paladar hendido, apoyar a las comunidades desatendidas y acompañar a los niños y sus familias en cada paso de su camino. Nos dedicamos a promover la equidad, la defensa y una atención compasiva en todo lo que hacemos.

02/23/2026

Our hearts are so full after our very first FACE Forward fundraiser 🤍🍦

Because of your support, generosity, and presence, we were able to raise upwards of one thousand dollars! These funds will directly support the purchase of specialized bottles for babies with cleft lips and palates at the Rush Craniofacial Center. These bottles make feeding safer, easier, and more comfortable. That impact is only possible because of this incredible community!

A huge thank you to everyone who showed up and supported us at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams West Loop. This was a beautiful step for FACE Forward.

If you were not able to attend but would still like to support our cause, our Venmo link is in our bio for donations. Every contribution helps us continue making a difference.

More initiatives, events, and opportunities to get involved are coming soon. Thank you for believing in this mission 💚

Pictured on slides 2 and 3 are two of our wonderful board members — Luz Mata-Iriarte and Havish Gattu

02/10/2026