CLEFT CARE
Overview | Our Cleft Team & Continuing Care | Growing Up With Cleft | The Cleft Journey
Continuing Care & Our Cleft Team
For years, families at the Saint John’s Cleft Palate Center were cared for by an extraordinary multidisciplinary team of clinicians who worked together across the many stages of cleft care.
Although our team is no longer practicing together at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, many of the clinicians you have come to know and trust continue to care for patients throughout Southern California. We have gathered their current information here so families can reconnect with members of their former care team, learn where they are practicing now, and, when appropriate, continue care with clinicians who already know them and their history.
For families who need to establish or transition to a new multidisciplinary cleft or craniofacial program, additional options for continuing care are also included below.
Our Surgical & Team Director
Reza Jarrahy, MD, FACS, FAAP
Surgical Director / Maxillofacial Surgeon
For nearly a decade, Dr. Jarrahy helped lead the Saint John's Cleft Lip and Palate Program, working alongside an extraordinary multidisciplinary team to provide highly personalized care to children and families throughout their cleft journey. As Surgical and Team Director, he guided surgical care and treatment planning while helping carry forward a program with more than 60 years of history in the Los Angeles community. During his leadership, the team cared for thousands of patients and families and extended its impact beyond the clinic through annual symposia that educated thousands of professionals and community members about comprehensive cleft care.
Dr. Jarrahy has described leading the program as one of the greatest joys and most rewarding experiences of his professional career and the privilege of caring for its patients and families as something for which he will always be grateful.
Dr. Jarrahy is currently transitioning to a new practice and will continue to see patients in LA. We will update this page with additional information as it becomes available. If you need to establish care elsewhere in the meantime, either temporarily or permanently, additional options are available at the bottom of this page.
Our Nursing & Care Coordination Team
Our nursing and care coordination team has been at the heart of the Cleft Palate Center, helping families navigate care from their earliest visits through the many stages of treatment. Over the years, they have provided specialized nursing support, coordinated care across our many disciplines, helped families prepare for appointments and procedures, and served as a consistent and trusted point of connection for patients, families, and members of the team.
Although the clinic has closed, our nursing team remains available through the end of 2026 to help families during this transition, answer questions related to their previous care, and help connect them with appropriate resources and next steps when possible.
Natalie Ziegler, MSN, PNP-BC, RNFA
Clinical Program Manager/ Nurse Practitioner/ Registered Nurse First Assist
Ph: (310) 829 - 8697Alma Avelar, RN
Registered Nurse, Clinic Coordinator
Ph: (310) 829 - 8697Transition support will remain available through the end of 2026.
Speech-Language Pathologists
Our speech-language pathologists supported families from early feeding through speech development, helping children communicate clearly and confidently as they grew.
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Email: megan@meganmccormickspeech.com
Phone: 310-948-2258
Website: meganmccormickspeech.comIn-person only: Torrance / South Bay, CA
Age Range: 12 months to 22 years
Areas of Specialty: cleft palate, articulation disorders, motor speech disorders, mixed receptive-expressive language disorders, Autism, Apraxia, language-based learning disabilities. -
Email: jhobbs90064@gmail.com
Orthodontists
Our orthodontists followed dental development, jaw growth, and alignment from early childhood through adolescence and into adulthood, coordinating closely with the surgical team to plan treatment around each stage of care.
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Brentwood LA Orthodontics
12301 Wilshire Blvd. Suite # 505, LA, CA 90025
Ph: (310) 458-6769Glendale Orthodontics
1111 N. Brand Blvd. Suite 201, Glendale, CA 91202
Ph: (818)242-1173 -
973 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite C, Manhattan Beach, CA
(310) 545-6525 -
11980 San Vicente Blvd, #602
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 826-6694
Pediatric Dentists
Our pediatric dentists supported oral health and dental development throughout childhood, helping families maintain healthy smiles and prepare for later stages of orthodontic and surgical care.
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9201 Sunset Blvd, #200, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Ph: (310) 273-5776 -
3500 N Sepulveda Blvd, Ste 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Ph: (310) 421-2770
Email: hello@toothlings.com -
11687 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Ph: (310) 279-5984 -
2811 Wilshire Blvd, #940, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Ph: (424) 305-3856
Psychology & Mental Health
I served as the team's psychologist and neuropsychologist, working alongside two therapists who provided ongoing therapeutic support. Together, we supported the emotional, social, and cognitive well-being of children and families throughout their cleft journey.
CDFC / Hospital-Based Community Resource: Located within the Providence Saint John’s hospital setting, this clinic continues to provide therapy/support services and accepts Medi-Cal, making it an important resource for families seeking accessible care options.
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Email: info.aceropsychological@gmail.com
Ph: (818) 203-7410
Web: https://aceropsychologicalinc.comVirtual only: In CA & NV
Age Range: 14+
Specialty: Craniofacial, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Addition
Other: Lived experience with craniofacial, Bilingual-Spanish. Trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, Neurofeedback, Biofeedback.Accept insurance: yes
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Email: ericagierman@gmail.com
Ph: 424-262-0098
Web: www.hermosabeachtherapist.comIn person: Hermosa Beach, CA & Virtual in CA & OR
Age Range: 14-80+
Specialty: Medical Trauma, Chronic illness, Life Transitions, Certified in Brainspotting, Utilize mindfulness, meditation, hypnosis and an overall body, mind, spirit approach to healingAccept insurance: no
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Clinical Neuropsychologist
Email: drjlobosco@gmail.com
Ph: (424) 254-9820
Web: weneuropsychology.com
Telehealth: NY, CA & CT
In-person: NY, with limited availability in CAAge Range: Adolescents, adults & older adults
Specialty: Neuropsychological & Psychological Evaluation, Craniofacial/Cleft Care, ADHD, Aging & Memory
Other: Former Team Psychologist/Neuropsychologist, Providence Saint John’s Cleft Palate Center; psychological and neuropsychological assessment, consultation, and short-term targeted support
Accepts Insurance: No; self-pay
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Contact for the Intake Department
Ph: 310 829-8921
Web: https://www.providence.org/locations/socal/saint-johns-health-center/child-and-family-development-centerIn-person services provided in the clinic, school, home, community, and the hospital.
Virtual sessions are also available.
Primary Location: 1339 20th St, Santa Monica, CA 90404Age Range: 1 -18 years old
Services: clinical therapy, consultations, psychological assessment, and psychiatric services at CFDC. Specifically, services in early childhood mental health, family therapy, developmental services, school-based services, parenting support, psychiatric services, psychological assessment services.
There are multiple programs offered at the CDFC. Please see webpage (https://www.providence.org/locations/socal/saint-johns-health-center/child-and-family-development-center) for detailed description of programs.
Referral Process
Self-referral, physician referral, school referral, DCFS referral; please call 310 829-8921 if self-referringInsurance: predominantly Medi-Cal; please give us a call and we can assist you with any questions related to your funding source
Languages Offered: English, Spanish and other languages depending on staff currently employed (please call 310 829-8921 to inquire)
Additional Information: We have been in Santa Monica community since 1961 and are well embedded in the community.
Pediatrician
Before stepping down at the end of 2025, our pediatrician co-directed the program for nearly a decade alongside Dr. Jarrahy, monitoring children's growth, health, and development throughout their cleft journey and coordinating closely with every discipline on the team.
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12555 W. Jefferson Blvd, #302, Playa Vista, CA 90066
Ph: (310) 670-1455
Otolaryngology (ENT) / Audiology
Otolaryngologists and audiologists monitor hearing and ear, nose, and throat health throughout a child's cleft journey, coordinating closely with the surgical and speech teams to support healthy hearing and development.
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Pacific Neuroscience Institute
1301 20th Street, #300
Santa Monica, CA 90404
CRANIOFACIAL SURGERY & CONTINUING CARE
Continuing care with members of our former surgical team
Dr. Mark Urata & Dr. Jeffrey Hammoudeh
Dr. Mark Urata and Dr. Jeffrey Hammoudeh were valued members of our craniofacial surgical team and continue to provide cleft and craniofacial care through the Craniofacial and Cleft Care Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).
Families who would like to continue care with Dr. Urata or Dr. Hammoudeh can contact the CHLA Craniofacial and Cleft Care Program directly:
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles / CHLA
Craniofacial and Cleft Care Program
4650 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027
Sally: 323-361-7101
Learn more about the CHLA Craniofacial and Cleft Care Program
Additional Options for Ongoing Surgical Care
We recognize that families may have different needs as they determine where and with whom to continue care. In addition to Dr. Jarrahy’s upcoming practice and the CHLA Craniofacial and Cleft Care Program, the following comprehensive craniofacial programs may be helpful resources for families exploring ongoing care.
Additional local options include:
UCLA Craniofacial Clinic
UCLA provides multidisciplinary cleft and craniofacial care. Craniofacial surgeons include Dr. Justine C. Lee and Dr. Wayne Ozaki.
For appointments, call Marina at the UCLA Craniofacial Clinic @ 310-825-0065
200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Website: https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/pediatric-craniofacial-clinic
Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach
The Craniofacial Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital provides multidisciplinary care for children with cleft and craniofacial conditions. Website: Craniofacial Center (CCS) | Miller Children's & Women's Hospital
These resources are provided as a starting point for families exploring options for ongoing care. We will continue to update this page as additional information and resources become available.
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