Department of Plastic Surgery | UT Southwestern Medical Center
The Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery Fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center offers what you need most from fellowship training: exceptional operative volume, dedicated mentorship from multiple full-time pediatric faculty, and the credentials that set you apart. If you're comparing craniofacial programs, here's what distinguishes UT Southwestern.
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At UT Southwestern and Children's Health, you'll join a high-volume, nationally recognized program. With four full-time pediatric plastic surgeons dedicated to your training, you'll get the operative experience and mentorship that transforms competent residents into confident craniofacial surgeons.
Below is the actual case log from our 2024 fellow. These numbers represent meaningful operative experiences where you're progressively taking on primary surgeon responsibility.
296 major cases in a single year. That's more than one case per working day. These aren't minor assists—you'll be the primary surgeon under supervision, making decisions, handling complications, and building the technical skills that matter.
Our program's real strength shows in cleft surgery with 188 cases and transcranial procedures with 45 cases. All ASCFS requirements are met or exceeded, but more importantly, you'll get the volume and variety needed to feel confident in independent practice.
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| Procedure Category | Specific Procedures | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Transcranial Procedures 45 cases |
Craniosynostosis reconstruction: | |
| Traditional cranial vault remodeling (CVR) | 15 | |
| Calvarial distraction | 5 | |
| Strip craniectomy | 17 | |
| Cranioplasty | 2 | |
| Complex orbital and trauma cases | 6 | |
| Maxillofacial Procedures 30 cases |
Orthognathic surgery (LeFort I, BSSO, genioplasty, distraction) | 9 |
| Facial trauma (ZMC, orbital, mandibular) | 7 | |
| Mandibular distraction | 4 | |
| Bony augmentation | 3 | |
| Other complex maxillofacial procedures | 7 | |
| Cleft Surgery 188 cases |
Primary cleft lip repair (unilateral and bilateral) | 42 |
| Primary palatoplasty | 41 | |
| Alveolar bone grafting | 37 | |
| Cleft lip revision | 21 | |
| Revision palatoplasty / Furlow | 25 | |
| Other speech surgery | 5 | |
| Cleft rhinoplasty | 14 | |
| Other cleft procedures | 3 | |
| Additional Pediatric Plastic Surgery 33 cases |
Non-cleft rhinoplasty (crooked nose / cosmetic) | 9 |
| Ear reconstruction | 8 | |
| Vascular anomalies | 6 | |
| Fat grafting | 4 | |
| Otoplasty | 4 | |
| Macrostomia repair | 2 | |
| GRAND TOTAL | 296 | |
More cases means:
Our exceptional cleft surgery volume means you'll graduate with more primary lip and palate experience than most programs offer. With cleft rhinoplasty experience built into the cleft surgery volume plus additional non-cleft rhinoplasty cases, strong transcranial exposure, and experience in ear reconstruction, you'll build a comprehensive case log that prepares you for independent practice in pediatric craniofacial surgery.
The 2024 fellow treated 296 patients spanning the full pediatric age spectrum:
| Age Range | Number of Patients | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| < 1 year (Infants) | 102 | 34% |
| 1 - 4.99 years | 56 | 19% |
| 5 - 9.99 years | 44 | 15% |
| 10 - 18 years (Adolescents) | 93 | 31% |
| > 18 years | 1 | <1% |
Why this matters: Over one-third of cases involve infants under 1 year—the most technically demanding age group. This means extensive experience with primary cleft lip repairs, early craniosynostosis surgery, and the unique physiologic challenges of operating on neonates and young infants. You won't just be doing revisions on older children; you'll master the primary surgeries that define craniofacial practice.
The substantial adolescent volume (93 patients) ensures strong exposure to orthognathic surgery, secondary cleft revisions, and trauma—completing your training across the entire developmental spectrum.
By the end of your fellowship year, you'll have comprehensive expertise in:
UT Southwestern is an ASCFS-accredited fellowship program. Upon completion, you'll be eligible for the Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Craniofacial Surgery through the American Society of Craniofacial Surgery (ASCFS).
Why this matters:
Not all craniofacial programs offer ASCFS accreditation. We do—giving you the training AND the credential.
Operating Room: Daily cases ranging from cleft repairs to complex cranial vault reconstructions. You'll start with assistance and rapidly progress to primary surgeon under supervision. Expect to be in the OR 3-4 days per week, with cases that challenge and teach.
Clinic: Weekly sessions where you'll manage the full patient journey—preoperative evaluation, treatment planning, postoperative care. You'll see the long-term outcomes of your surgical decisions.
Team Conferences: Lead multidisciplinary cleft-craniofacial and vascular anomalies teams. Learn to coordinate care across pediatrics, genetics, speech pathology, orthodontics, and more.
Academic Activities: Journal clubs, case conferences, M&M rounds, and teaching opportunities with residents. Present at regional and national meetings.
Research: Develop and complete a research project with faculty support. We help you build your CV for the academic or clinical career you envision.
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Many programs talk about work-life balance. We've structured our fellowship to deliver it:
After years of residency, this structure lets you focus on learning while maintaining a life.
Your faculty aren't just accomplished surgeons—they're dedicated educators who've built their careers around training the next generation. Here's who you'll work with every day:
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Program Director
Dr. Seaward earned his medical degree at the University of London before completing plastic surgery training in Manchester, United Kingdom, and craniofacial fellowship with Dr. Kane at UT Southwestern. He joined the faculty in 2013 and now directs the Craniofacial Fellowship Program. His clinical interests include cleft lip and palate, velopharyngeal dysfunction, and vascular anomalies. Dr. Seaward's research focuses on speech outcomes, 3D imaging analysis of facial asymmetry, and MRI applications in speech disorders. He leads ACPA-accredited multidisciplinary cleft and vascular anomalies teams and has extensive experience in both primary and secondary cleft surgery. He has contributed to multiple textbook chapters on craniofacial surgery.
Vice Chair, Plastic Surgery
Dr. Kane earned his M.D. from Dartmouth College and completed plastic surgery residency at Washington University School of Medicine, followed by craniofacial fellowship with Sam Noordhoff at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan and craniofacial imaging fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. He serves as Vice Chairman of Plastic Surgery and Division Director of Pediatric and Craniofacial Surgery at Children's Health. With over 20 years of exclusive pediatric craniofacial practice, his clinical interests include cleft lip and palate, craniosynostosis, craniofacial trauma, and vascular anomalies. Dr. Kane established the Analytical Imaging and Modeling (AIM) Center and has pioneered research in 3D imaging for surgical planning. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on craniofacial surgery.
Dr. Sanati-Mehrizy earned his medical degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and completed plastic surgery residency at Mount Sinai before pursuing craniofacial surgery fellowship at the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital. He joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2023. His clinical interests include cleft lip and palate, craniosynostosis, orthognathic surgery, vascular anomalies, and craniofacial trauma. Dr. Sanati-Mehrizy is advancing the use of augmented reality and virtual surgical planning in craniofacial surgery. He has contributed to multiple textbook chapters in craniofacial surgery and emphasizes collaborative multidisciplinary care in his practice.
Dr. May graduated from the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and completed both her plastic surgery residency and craniofacial fellowship at UT Southwestern before joining the faculty in 2024. Her clinical interests include cleft lip and palate, cleft rhinoplasty, nasal reconstruction, congenital nasal deformities, and congenital breast disorders including Poland syndrome. Dr. May has developed particular expertise in complex cleft rhinoplasty and uses innovative techniques including 3D modeling for surgical planning. She is establishing a dedicated pediatric breast center at UT Southwestern and contributes to national textbooks including the ninth edition of Grabb and Smith's Plastic Surgery.
What this faculty means for you: Four full-time pediatric plastic surgeons dedicated to your education. You'll never lack for teaching, supervision, or mentorship. You'll work side-by-side with faculty who have built one of the premier craniofacial programs in the country.
Our alumni practice across the United States and internationally, in academic centers, hospital-based settings, and private practice. Whether you want to build an academic career, join a group practice, or establish your own practice, this fellowship opens doors.
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Research isn't an afterthought—it's integrated into your training. You'll initiate and complete at least one research project, with faculty guidance to ensure it's publishable and presentable. We actively support fellows presenting at national and international conferences. This is your chance to contribute to the field and build the academic profile you'll need, whether you're aiming for academics or want to be known as the expert in your community.
You're an ideal candidate if you:
We welcome international applicants. You'll need to meet Texas Medical Board requirements, ECFMG certification, and obtain necessary visa documentation (typically J-1). Our Graduate Medical Education Office will guide you through the process.
About the CAQ: Upon successful completion of this ASCFS-accredited fellowship, you'll be eligible to apply for the Certificate of Added Qualifications in Craniofacial Surgery through the American Society of Craniofacial Surgery (ASCFS). This formal subspecialty certification is an increasingly important credential for career advancement in craniofacial surgery.
About Certification: As an ASCFS-accredited program, our fellowship qualifies you to sit for the Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Craniofacial Surgery through the American Society of Craniofacial Surgery (ASCFS). This formal subspecialty certification demonstrates your advanced expertise and is recognized nationally as the gold standard credential in craniofacial surgery. Upon completion, you'll also receive a certificate from UT Southwestern and Children's Health documenting your successful fellowship training.
About the Match: We participate in the national Craniofacial Fellow Matching Program. Positions outside the match are at the Program Director's discretion.
About Your Training: You'll have progressive, graduated responsibility. By the end of the year, you should be comfortable performing major craniofacial procedures independently. But you'll get there step by step, with constant supervision and feedback.
Interested? We are too. Here's how to start the conversation:
If you're serious about craniofacial surgery and want training that prepares you for independent practice from day one, we should talk.
Fellowship Coordinator
Phone: 214-645-3107
Email: [email protected]
GME Program Coordinator
Phone: 214-645-3104
Email: [email protected]
UT Southwestern Medical Center
1801 Inwood Road
Dallas, TX 75390-9132
Phone: 214-456-3107