Early teamwork helps align tiny faces
An Explore Magazine Spring 2026 Feature
At their 20-week ultrasound, Ton Tu and his wife learned their daughter would be born with a cleft lip and palate.
“Initially, we were shocked,” Tu says.
The shock quickly turned to practical questions about their baby’s health, appearance and how to care for a newborn with the condition. After the diagnosis in Tallahassee, the Tus were referred to the UF Health Craniofacial Center.
The center serves as the coordinating hub for Florida’s Cleft and Craniofacial Network, creating a vital safety net for families across the state. This role ensures that world-class cleft and craniofacial care is accessible for every Florida child who needs it, especially those with the most complex cases or who rely on Medicaid.