Generous Donations Support Eastman Institute’s Fund for Babies with Cleft Lip and Palate
Finding organizations that align with the Kiwanis Club of Spencerport’s mission of supporting children’s needs is volunteer Donna Peasley’s primary role.
“We invite speakers in twice a month to learn more about how their organization helps children and then determine if we’ll support their cause with a financial donation, usually $200,” she said.
Donna recently reached out to Dr. Gerry Cellura, a Kiwanis supporter who has had a dental practice in Spencerport for more than 20 years and asked him for ideas related to Pediatric Dental Health Month.
As a 2003 graduate of Eastman Institute for Oral Health’s General Practice Residency program, Dr. Cellura was familiar with Eastman’s extensive community outreach. After speaking with Dr. Sean McLaren, the former chair for Eastman Institute’s Pediatric Dentistry Department, Donna liked the recommendation for Dr. Cellura to share how experts there help babies born with cleft lip and palate.
“We had no idea how much need there is, all the expenses these families face and what a large geographic area Eastman Dental and the University of Rochester Medical Center serves,” Donna said. Instead of the standard gift, the Kiwanis Club decided to donate $500 to the EIOH Kids with Cleft Fund.
"I was honored to help present this topic to the Kiwanis Club," said Dr. Cellura, who also donated to the Fund. "When I learned about the needs of families affected by cleft lip and palate, it was clear that this was a cause I wanted to support. The Kiwanis Club has always been committed to helping children, and I’m delighted they chose to make a donation to such a meaningful fund."
Starting at just one week old, babies born with cleft lip and palate are treated by Eastman Institute specialist Dr. Erin Shope with a NAM, short for nasoalveolar molding. A custom-made appliance, the NAM gently reshapes the gums, lip and nostrils to reduce the severity of the cleft before surgery. Not only can it improve the surgical outcome, but it may reduce the need for multiple surgeries.
This treatment requires about 12 weekly visits for adjustments as the gap continues to close. Because few specialists in the region offer NAM treatment, many families have traveled up to three hours each way to receive treatment from Dr. Shope at Eastman Institute.
When the NAM treatment concludes, Dr. Clinton Morrison, director, Plastic Surgery Team for the nationally known Cleft and Craniofacial Center at Golisano Children’s Hospital, first performs the surgical lip repair and then the palate repair a few months later. Additional procedures may include bone grafts, pharyngeal flap and nasal reconstruction. Throughout the child’s development, patients and their families are supported by a variety of specialists, including dentists, orthodontists, social workers, speech language pathologists, audiologists, psychologists, plastic surgeons, otolaryngologists, oral surgeons, and genetic counselors.
“We were really impressed with the services you provide throughout the child’s growing years,” Donna added.
Further bolstering the Kids with Clefts Fund, Dr. Andrew Tomash, a pediatric dentist based in Victoria, BC, Canada, and his wife Dr. Zoe Tomash, also made a substantial contribution. Dr. Andrew Tomash’s connection to Eastman stems from his training there to become a pediatric dentist.
“What inspired us to contribute to this fund is the deep appreciation we have for my time at Eastman,” Dr. Andrew Tomash said. “The program opened many doors for me and played a pivotal role in shaping my career. We’re incredibly grateful that I get to do what I love—caring for children—and Eastman was instrumental in making that possible.
“We owe a big thank you to all the faculty and Eastman as an institute,” he added. “Dr. Shope had a lasting impact on me. She was an incredible supervisor and she continues to be an example of humility, dedication, and talent. This donation was our way of giving back—not just to Dr. Shope and Eastman, but also to the families who need financial assistance to access care.”
Dr. Cellura had a similar experience.
"Eastman Institute for Oral Health had a huge impact on my career. I’m thankful to the faculty and the experiences I had during my time there," he said. "This donation is my way of giving back to the institution and supporting families who need help accessing care."
The Kiwanis Club of Spencerport is one of nine Kiwanis chapters in Monroe County and is a dedicated volunteer organization committed to enhancing the lives of children and families. Through a variety of service projects and fundraising initiatives, the club supports numerous local organizations that support a wide range of children’s needs.
"I’m incredibly grateful for the generosity of Dr. Tomash, Dr. Cellura, and the Kiwanis Club," said Dr. Cynthia Wong, chair, Pediatric Dentistry. “Their donations will make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families who are facing significant challenges. This support helps ensure that children born with cleft lip and palate get the care they need."
For more information on how to support the Kids with Clefts Fund, please contact Jill DelVecchio at jillp_delvecchio@urmc.rochester.edu or call her at 585-275-2851.
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