Professionals listed below have been identified as collaborative healthcare providers for the Upper Midwest VCFS/DGS Community. These specialists have demonstrated strong interest and dedication to serving families affected by VCFS and DiGeorge, as well as a commitment to educating the clinical and academic community and promoting collaborative interdisciplinary research.

Every individual with a diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion, Velocardiofacial or DiGeorge syndrome, should be seen for a comprehensive genetics evaluation and genetic counseling, immunologic evaluation, cardiac evaluation, and a comprehensive Cleft Palate or Craniofacial Team assessment. Further assessment by a neuropsychologist, psychiatrist, and other medical, dental, and surgical specialists are also frequently indicated for individuals with this syndrome.  Patients, parents, healthcare providers and educational specialists should discuss the needs of each individual to determine which evaluations are most appropriate. In addition, the need for follow-up evaluations into adulthood is recommended to promote optimal physical and mental health outcomes.

Upper Midwest VCFS/DGS Community Providers: A Team Effort

Craniofacial and Cleft Palate Teams

All children diagnosed with 22q11.2 deletion, VCFS, or DiGeorge will benefit from a comprehensive interdisciplinary Craniofacial or Cleft Palate Team evaluation on an annual basis. This includes an assessment by specialists from the areas listed below, who work together as a team to devise an individualized diagnostic and treatment plan for each child.

• Genetics and/or Genetic Counseling
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Audiology
• Ear, Nose, and Throat (Otolaryngology)
• Pediatric Psychology or Neuropsychology
• Pediatrics
• Plastic Surgery
• Feeding/Nursing
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Orthodontics and Oral Surgery
• Prosthodontics
• Ophthalmology

University of Minnesota Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies Clinic Minneapolis, MN 612-625-5945
Children's Hospital and Clinics - Minneapolis Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Clinic Minneapolis, MN 612-813-6777 James Sidman, MD, Team Leader Cheryl Salter, Coordinator
Centracare Cleft Palate Team St. Cloud, MN 320-251-2700 Ext. 71319 John A. Ness, MD, Team Leader
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Velocardiofacial Syndrome Clinic Milwaukee, WI 414-266-2031 Steven Conley, MD, Medical Director LuAnn Weik, MS, CGC, VCFS Program Coordinator
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Cleft Palate Clinic Milwaukee, WI 414-266-2575 Arlen D. Denny, MD, Cleft Palate Team Leader Wendy Puza, Clinic Coordinator
University of Illinois The Craniofacial Center Chicago, IL 312-996-7546 David J. Reisberg, DDS, Team Leader www.uillinoismedcenter.org
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Iowa Cleft-Craniofacial Team Iowa City, IA 319-356-3345 www.uihealthcare.com John W. Canady, MD, Team Leader

These teams are affiliated with the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association.  For more information about the importance of cleft palate and craniofacial team care, as well as for a listing of additional Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Teams in the Upper Midwest, go to www.cleftline.org.

Genetics and Genetic Counseling:
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Genetics Department LuAnn Weik, MS, CGC, Genetic Counselor 414-266-2031
Children's Hospital and Clinics, Minneapolis, MN Nancy Mendelsohn, MD, Pediatric Geneticist Mary Ella Pierpont, MD, Pediatric Geneticist and Cardiologist Jennifer Roggenbuck, MS, Genetic Counselor 651-220-6884
Lisa Schimmenti, MD, Pediatric Geneticist University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, 612-626-9658
Pediatric Cardiology:
Jamie Lohr, MD, Pediatric Cardiologist University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, 612-626-2755 Fairview-Ridges Hospital & Clinics, 952-892-291
Kelly Gleason, MD, Pediatric Cardiologist Children's Heart Clinic, Minneapolis, MN, 612-813-8800
Pediatric Endocrinology:
Anna Petryk, MD, Pediatric Endocrinologist Pediatric Specialty Clinic University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 612-626-6777
Immunology:
Laura Hoyt, MD, Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist and Immunologist Patricia Stinchfield, MS, CPNP, Nurse Practicioner Children's Hospital and Clinics, St. Paul, MN, 651-220-6444
Ralph Shapiro, MD, Immunologist Midwest Immunology Clinic, Plymouth, MN, 763-577-0008
Pediatric Neuropsychology Department of Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 612-625-7466
Steven Hughes, Ph.D., Pediatric Neuropsychologist University of Minnesota and Private Consultant
Sharon Barry, Ph.D., Pediatric Psychologist Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN, 612-813-8455
Speech-Language Pathology:
Adriane Baylis, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Speech and Hearing Center Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
Susan M. Marks, M.S., CCC-SLP Robert Beecher, M.S., CCC-SLP Susan Carneol, M.S., CCC-SLP Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI, 414-266-2934
Anna Thurmes, M.A., CCC-SLP Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Clinics, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, 612-626-3478
Luanne Richards, M.A., CCC-SLP Children's Hospital and Clinics-Minneapolis Minneapolis, MN, 612-813-6709
Behavioral and Devlopmental Pediatrics:
Laurel Wills, MD Minneapolis, MN Hennepin County Medical Center Pediatrics Clinic 612-873-2435 Hennepin County Medical Center Sleep Disorders Clinic 612-873-6201 University of Minnesota, Lions Children's Hearing Center, 612-625-7753
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry:
Tonya White, MD Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 612-273-9762
Adult Psychiatry:
Steven Olson, M.D. Department of Psychiatry University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN Call Kareen Perry, RN for appointment information 612-273-8710
Additional Researchers:
Canan Karatekin, Ph.D. Child Neuropsychology/Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Associate Professor, Institute of Child Development University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Betsy Hirsch, Ph.D., Cytogenetics Professor, Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

The Upper Midwest VCFS/DGS Community was initiated by parents and professionals from the state of Minnesota. The majority of the healthcare providers listed here are primarily located in the Twin Cities and Milwaukee area. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of providers and it is expected that this list will expand as families and healthcare professionals work together to develop a larger Upper Midwest network. If you know a healthcare provider or clinic that is interested in partnering with the Upper Midwest VCFS/DGS Community, please email (Twin Cities group) or (Wisconsin group).

The names listed on this website are affiliated with their designated institution. There is no formal endorsement of the services of these individuals implied by this website. Professionals listed here practice in the vicinity of the Upper Midwest and have demonstrated knowledge, interest, clinical care, and research of persons with 22q11.2 disorders.