Florida Craniofacial Institute

08/11/2026

Thank you Dr. Hotchkiss, and to the entire St. Joes family. It is an honor to care for your patients!

08/03/2026

Feeling incredibly grateful today. ❤️

A heartfelt thank you to my wonderful patients for your trust, kindness, and support. Your thoughtfulness means so much, and this beautiful handmade blanket is such a special gift. I’m truly honored to be a small part of your journey.

07/30/2026

✨Transformation Thursday ✨

Behind every transformation is a purpose.

Our priority is restoring function, improving health, and helping patients live their best lives. The beautiful, natural results? That’s what happens when expert reconstructive surgery meets meticulous attention to detail.

✨ Function first. Beauty follows.



Shown is before and after of a mandibular advancement.

07/29/2026

Feeling so loved today! ❤️ One of our amazing patients surprised us with homemade paximathia. It’s little acts of kindness like this that remind us how lucky we are to care for such wonderful people. Thank you! 🫶

07/21/2026

💙 Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month: Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS) 💙

This week, we’re highlighting Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS), a condition present at birth that affects the development of a baby’s jaw and airway.

Pierre Robin Sequence is characterized by:
👶 A smaller-than-expected lower jaw (micrognathia)
👅 The tongue sitting farther back in the mouth (glossoptosis)
🍼 Sometimes, a cleft palate

Because of these differences, babies with PRS may experience challenges with feeding, breathing, or both. Every child is unique—some require only specialized feeding techniques, while others may need additional airway support or surgical intervention.

The good news is that with early diagnosis and care from a multidisciplinary craniofacial team, children with Pierre Robin Sequence can thrive. Surgeons, pediatric specialists, speech-language pathologists, feeding specialists, lactation consultants, nurses, audiologists, and many others work together to create an individualized plan for each child.

We know how important early feeding support is for these families. With the right guidance, education, and resources, parents can feel more confident navigating the early days of their baby’s journey.

💙 Awareness leads to understanding. Understanding leads to better care.

07/14/2026

💙 Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness Month: The Importance of Team-Based Care

Children with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other craniofacial differences often have needs that extend beyond surgery. That’s why comprehensive, team-based care is considered the gold standard.

A multidisciplinary craniofacial team brings together specialists who work collaboratively to support each child throughout their growth and development. Depending on the patient’s needs, the team may include:

👩‍⚕️ Craniofacial Surgeons
🦻 Audiologists
🗣️ Speech-Language Pathologists
🦷 Pediatric Dentists & Orthodontists
🍼 Lactation Consultants & Feeding Specialists
🧬 Genetic Counselors
🩺 Nurses & Nurse Coordinators
💚 Psychologists & Social Workers

At the Tampa Bay Cleft & Craniofacial Center, families receive comprehensive, coordinated care in one convenient location. During each clinic visit, patients are evaluated by our multidisciplinary team, allowing specialists to collaborate in real time, develop a personalized treatment plan, and address every aspect of a child’s health and development. This collaborative approach not only streamlines care for families but also ensures treatment decisions are thoughtful, cohesive, and tailored to each child’s unique needs as they grow.

Cleft and craniofacial care is a journey that spans childhood and sometimes into adulthood but families never have to navigate it alone.

This Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness Month, we’re proud to recognize the dedicated healthcare professionals who work together to help every child reach their fullest potential.

Send a message to learn more

07/06/2026

💙 Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness Month: What is a Cleft?

A cleft lip and/or cleft palate occurs when parts of the lip or roof of the mouth do not fully develop during early pregnancy. It is one of the most common birth differences and can affect feeding, speech, hearing, dental development, and facial growth.

The good news? With specialized care and a dedicated multidisciplinary team, children born with a cleft can go on to live healthy, active, and fulfilling lives.

At Florida Craniofacial Institute, we’re honored to provide comprehensive care from infancy through adulthood.

Knowledge builds understanding. Awareness builds support. Together, we can make a difference.

💙 m

07/03/2026

💙 July is Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness Month 💙

This month, we join families around the world in raising awareness for children and adults born with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other craniofacial differences.

Every smile tells a story of strength, resilience, and hope. Through expert surgical care, multidisciplinary treatment, and ongoing family support, we are honored to help our patients achieve their best outcomes—one smile at a time.

At Florida Craniofacial Institute we believe every child deserves compassionate, comprehensive care close to home.

Together, let’s spread awareness, celebrate our amazing patients, and remind every family that they are never alone.

💙 Join us throughout July as we share education, patient stories, and resources.

06/24/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our Dental Assistant, Janae, on earning her DAANCE Certification! 🎉

At Florida Craniofacial Institute, we are committed to providing the highest level of care for our patients, and that starts with investing in education and professional development.

The Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination (DAANCE) certification demonstrates advanced knowledge and training in anesthesia-related patient care, safety protocols, emergency preparedness, and monitoring techniques. This specialized education helps ensure that our team is equipped to provide safe, efficient, and compassionate care throughout every stage of treatment.

For our patients and families, this means added confidence knowing that they are being cared for by highly trained professionals who are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of safety and excellence.

Please join us in congratulating Janae on this outstanding achievement and commitment to lifelong learning! 👏🦷✨

06/19/2026

Seeing our patients grow is the BEST!!