Mission
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Cleft Palate & Craniofacial Anomaly Team is the only group approved by the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) in the West Texas. Our mission is to deliver comprehensive assessment and treatment recommendations at no cost for individuals with cleft lip/palate and other craniofacial anomalies in Lubbock, Texas, and surrounding regions. We offer patients general health, hearing, speech, feeding, dental, orthodontic, and surgical consultations during their appointment with our team. We assemble for half-day clinics twice monthly to serve approximately 5 to 10 patients. Additionally, we invite patients to participate in our research on craniofacial disorders to advance evidence-based practice within the field. Our team aims to improve the quality of life of individuals with cleft lip/palate and other craniofacial anomalies by providing holistic management and quality care.
Communication
We accept provider and family-initiated referrals for individuals with craniofacial disorders ages 0 to 18. Referrals can be made by contacting our team coordinator, who will provide more information regarding our referral process. Patients are welcome to attend our clinic every six months. After their appointment, patients will receive a letter summarizing provider recommendations.
TTUHSC Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Anomaly Team
3601 4th Street Lubbock, TX 79415
Phone: 806-743-9069
Email: ttuhsccleftpalateclinic@gmail.com
Services
If you are interested in making an appointment to be seen by our cleft palate and craniofacial team, please contact our team coordinator at (806)743-9069. After receiving your information, our team coordinator will schedule an appointment for you at the next available clinic.
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Prenatal counseling is available for parents whose infants are diagnosed with cleft palate by prenatal ultrasound. Parents will receive consultation regarding comprehensive cleft lip/palate management, including postnatal feeding, hearing, surgical management, speech therapy, dental care, and other services. This consultation helps parents better understand their child’s needs and prepare for their child’s future care.
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Our pediatricians conduct general health examinations to assess patient growth, development, and comorbid medical conditions. We provide medical counseling and make referrals to appropriate specialists.
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Our otolaryngologists (ENT) and facial plastic surgeons provide individualized consultation for the surgical treatment of craniofacial disorders. Surgical management supports feeding and speech development, hearing, facial structure/appearance, and psychosocial well-being.
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Children with cleft lip/palate are at risk of ear abnormalities and hearing impairment. Our team’s audiologists offer patients hearing evaluations. If any ear condition or hearing problem is detected, we will refer the patient to the otolaryngologist or audiologist for further intervention.
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Children with cleft lip/palate and other craniofacial disorders are at risk for dental conditions, including dental caries, malformed and misaligned teeth, and malocclusion. Individuals participating in our program will receive periodic dental and orthodontic examinations to determine care needs.
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Our speech-language pathologists evaluate speech and resonance using perceptual and instrumental assessments. We also provide language screenings, I.Q. assessments, and consultations regarding feeding and swallowing concerns. We will make appropriate recommendations regarding speech therapy services based on our findings.
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Our social workers compassionately assess the psychosocial, economic, and physical needs of our patients. They provide counseling and assistant in obtaining community resources for families in need.
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Our geneticists provide guidance regarding genetic disorders of patients and support future family planning.
Affiliates
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Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Otolaryngology
Dr. Winslow Idicula, M.D.
Otolaryngologist
Assistant ProfessorTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Pediatrics
Dr. Latisha McLaurin, M.D.
Pediatrician
Assistant ProfessorVijay Tonk, Ph.D.
Geneticist
ProfessorKayla Evans, LMSW
Social WorkerTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Dr. Stephen Zupancic, Au.D., Ph.D., CCC/A
Audiologist
Associate ProfessorLubbock Early Childhood Intervention E.C.I.
Colita Messer, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-language PathologistAbby King, M.S., RD
Registered DietitianOrthodontics
Double T Smiles
Dr. Nadene Tipton, D.D.S.
Blue Sky Orthodontics
Dr. Derid Ure, D.D.S.
Dentistry
Double T Smiles
Dr. Roger Tipton, D.D.S.
Parkview Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Molly Lopex-Cepero, D.D.S.
Dr. Dustin Jansin, D.D.S.Merrell and Nichols Dentistry
Dr. P’Jay Merrel, D.D.S.
Post Family Dentistry
Dr. Xochitl Anderton, D.D.S.
Texas Tech University Department of Psychological Sciences
Jason Van Allen, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Associate Professor
Team Directors
Sue Ann Lee, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Professor of Speech-Language Pathology, Director of the Cleft Palate Research Unit (CPRU),
School of Health Professions, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Dr. Sue Ann Lee is a professor of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and a certified speech-language pathologist specializing in the assessment and treatment of pediatric speech sound disorders and children with cleft palate. Dr. Lee completed her doctorate in Communication Disorders at the University of Texas at Austin and a post- doctoral fellowship at the Callier Center at the University of Texas at Dallas. As an internationally well-known researcher, Dr. Lee was selected as a Fullbright US Scholar in 2019 to teach at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam and the President of Asia Pacific Society of Speech, Language, and Hearing 2022-2023. Her current research interest lies in the efficacy of telepractice service delivery model for children with cleft palate funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Dr. Lee received a Chancellor's Council Distinguished Research Award in 2014 and SHP Dean's excellence in Research award in 2018 and 2022.
Joshua Demke, M.D.
Professor, Department of Otolaryngology Head-Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Dr. Joshua Demke is a professor of Otolaryngology at Texas Tech University health Sciences Center. Dr. Demke joined Texas Tech Physicians in 2009. Dr. Demke completed his medical school education at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2003, and went on to complete his Surgical Residency in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at UNC Chapel Hill, North Carolina in 2008. He is a Fellowship-trained surgeon in Facial Plastic and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery through the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. Dr. Demke, specializing in pediatric and adult congenital deformities, has specialized interest in Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery, Ear Surgery, Nasal Surgery, Eyelid Surgery, Jaw Surgery, and in reconstruction of facial defects from traumatic injury. In addition to these special interests, Dr. Demke provides multiple facial cosmetic procedures to improve the effect of aging, including Botox treatment.
Team Coordinators
Tahira Gibson, MS, CCC-SLP
Tahira is an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s (TTUHSC) Cleft Palate Research Unit. She completed her graduate studies at the TTUHSC and is pursuing her Ph.D. at the same institution. Tahira specializes in speech sound disorders, craniofacial disorders, and orofacial myofunctional disorders in the pediatric population. She received the ASHA ACE Award in 2021 and 2022.
Tam M. Nguyen, MS
Tam P. M. Nguyen is a Ph.D. student in Rehabilitation Sciences at the School of Health Professions, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Medicine in Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Vietnam in 2014 and her Master of Sciences in Medicine in Jeonbuk National University – Korea in 2019. Tam has experience in providing assessment and intervention for patients with communication disorders. Her research interests include speech sound disorders and cleft lip and palate.