Cleft Palate Surgery (Aired on February 20, 2009)

Kathy Kruger, Registered Nurse and Assistant Governor of Rotary District 7210 (Region 3), discusses her role as Rotaplast (Rotary + Plastic Surgery) Ambassador for the district. This program provides cleft lip and cleft palate surgery for children around the world. Besides describing the causes of this medical disfigurement, Ms. Kruger also explains the effects on children, from death caused by malnutrition to psychological problems caused by ostracism by their community. In the U.S., children have medical care to correct this problem. In addition to providing surgery, medical teams — all volunteer doctors, dentists, nurses, and administrators — educate parents about prevention.