It was a wonderful day in May five years ago when Evan came into this world. While Evan’s parents were expecting his arrival, they were not expecting that he would have a medical condition which would require multiple surgeries. Evan was born with a cleft palate and bilateral cleft lip. Cleft lip and/or cleft palate are the most common birth defects in the U.S., affecting approximately one in 700 babies.

“We had no idea prior to his birth and were completely caught off guard,” says his mom, Amie. “Within days of his birth, we quickly realized how lucky we were to live so close to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the cleft palate team there. Everyone from his surgeon, Dr. Richard Kirschner, his ENT, Dr. Jonathan Grischkan, the speech pathologists, and the nutritionists, put their heart and soul into improving the lives of children like Evan.”

Under Dr. Kirschner’s direction, the Cleft Lip and Palate Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital believes that life-altering surgery is not enough. Their goal is to care for the whole child, while also addressing the needs of the family. The Center offers comprehensive care from a multi-disciplinary team of nationally recognized clinicians including plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, otolaryngology (ENT), speech – language pathology, nursing, dentistry, social work, audiology, genetics, and psychology.

To date, Evan has had more surgeries than birthdays. He underwent his 6th surgery earlier this year and his family knows there are more ahead. “I just feel so blessed to live so close to an amazing place like Nationwide Children’s. Everyone there just loves kids, from the valets to the people who clean the floors to the incredible doctors and nurses,” continues Amie.

Every time Evan has surgery he is accompanied by his very best buddy since birth, his stuffed Curious George, or Georgie, as Evan calls him. When not at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Evan is busy being a boy. He loves monster trucks, superheroes, and wrestling with his big sister. He likes being outside as much as possible, camping with his family, and riding his bike.

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• Name: Evan K.Evan Kern
• Condition(s): Cleft Lip and Palate Repair
• Age at Treatment: 5 years
• Age Today: 05/22/201013 Years

It was a wonderful day in May five years ago when Evan came into this world. While Evan’s parents were expecting his arrival, they were not expecting that he would have a medical condition which would require multiple surgeries. Evan was born with a cleft palate and bilateral cleft lip. Cleft lip and/or cleft palate are the most common birth defects in the U.S., affecting approximately one in 700 babies.

“We had no idea prior to his birth and were completely caught off guard,” says his mom, Amie. “Within days of his birth, we quickly realized how lucky we were to live so close to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the cleft palate team there. Everyone from his surgeon, Dr. Richard Kirschner, his ENT, Dr. Jonathan Grischkan, the speech pathologists, and the nutritionists, put their heart and soul into improving the lives of children like Evan.”

Under Dr. Kirschner’s direction, the Cleft Lip and Palate Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital believes that life-altering surgery is not enough. Their goal is to care for the whole child, while also addressing the needs of the family. The Center offers comprehensive care from a multi-disciplinary team of nationally recognized clinicians including plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, otolaryngology (ENT), speech – language pathology, nursing, dentistry, social work, audiology, genetics, and psychology.

To date, Evan has had more surgeries than birthdays. He underwent his 6th surgery earlier this year and his family knows there are more ahead. “I just feel so blessed to live so close to an amazing place like Nationwide Children’s. Everyone there just loves kids, from the valets to the people who clean the floors to the incredible doctors and nurses,” continues Amie.

Every time Evan has surgery he is accompanied by his very best buddy since birth, his stuffed Curious George, or Georgie, as Evan calls him. When not at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Evan is busy being a boy. He loves monster trucks, superheroes, and wrestling with his big sister. He likes being outside as much as possible, camping with his family, and riding his bike.