How to Become a Member

Palestinian Cleft Society (PCS) is an organization dedicated to the care of children with cleft lip and palate in Palestine.

Any individual who is actively involved in the care of children with cleft lip and palate Palestine is welcome to join the organization. This includes Palestinian health care workers, as well as anyone from outside these locations who has demonstrated care for Palestinian children with cleft lip and palate.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Palestinian Cleft Society, please contact Moanad Aker at daker@med.alquds.edu, Hanin Al Sheikh at hinno25@hotmail.com, Wa’el Halaby at Waelalhalaby@yahoo.com, Sayf Sa’ed at sas10371@hotmail.com or  John van Aalst, at john_vanaalst@med.unc.edu

Invitations from the Past

Thank you to everyone who made the first meeting of the Palestinian Cleft Society a great success.  I’d like to thank the speakers in particular who gave excellent presentations, giving the conference attendees a complete vision of the work that goes into taking the very best care of children with clefts.

I would also like to thank all of those who attended the conference (over 100 people):  from Gaza, Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah, Jerusalem, Jericho, Bethlehem, Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Qalqilia.  Thanks to you, because the conference would not have been possible without your participation.

Thanks also to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), to Steve Sosebee, his wife Huda, and all of their field workers.  Thanks additionally to the Ministry of Health of the Palestinian Authority for supporting this very important effort. Lastly, thanks to SmileTrain for generously funding the Conference, and providing the cleft surgery DVDs, all of which were given to conference attendees.

Following the success of the first Palestinian Cleft Society, we have decided to hold a yearly conference (which will be held on the first Sunday in December 2008). A final decision about location will be made at the mid-year meeting in May. Following discussion at this year’s conference, we have decided to hold a mid-year conference in May that will include a single representative from each of the key services in cleft care, including someone from Speech Therapy (who will direct needs in Audiology and Feeding), Orthodontics, Dentistry, Pediatrics, Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Otolarygology, Social Services, Nursing, Psychology, Nutrition, Hospital Administration, and the Business community. These representatives will be chosen from Palestine. The May meeting will be coordinated with a short conference in Gaza.

Lastly, it is a great privilege for me to invite all of the attendees of the December 9, 2007 conference to join the Palestinian Cleft Society (PCS). Membership will also be extended to anyone with an interest in cleft care, and a commitment to provide world-class cleft care in Palestine.

Members of the PCS will be expected to assist in coordinating care for cleft children in Palestine.  They will be called upon to help make decisions regarding policy for children with clefts in the region.  Members can be from both within Palestine, as well as from other nations.

Thank you again for your support of the Palestinian Cleft Society.

Sincerely,

John A. van Aalst, MD