Program Overview

The Stephanie and Mitchell Morris Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Research and Innovation provides a multidisciplinary home for the care of children with cleft and craniofacial differences. It is the only site in Mississippi that provides the complex care these patients need.

The craniofacial team at Children’s of Mississippi is the only group of providers in the state accredited by the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association. The multidisciplinary team includes specialists in plastic surgery, neurosurgery, genetics, speech therapy, dentistry, oral surgery, psychiatry, social work and audiology. These specialists work together to see more than 200 patients a year with craniofacial syndromes, cleft lips, cleft palates, and other craniofacial abnormalities.

We routinely communicate with referring providers about their patients’ care and treatment. This ongoing communication aligns with our full-circle approach to care.

In addition to providing state-of-the-art treatments, the Morris Center supports research in the care of children with cleft and craniofacial differences. Expanding the body of knowledge in this area is central to our efforts.

The Morris Center makes a direct impact on the educational mission of UMMC in several ways. We provide leadership in the integrated plastic surgery residency program. Besides their clinical training, residents are also intimately involved in our research efforts. This investment in the next generation of surgeons advances our mission of improving the care of children with cleft and craniofacial differences.