Cleft Care Coordinator Supports Kids and Families Through Every Stage of Their Journey

When a child is diagnosed with cleft lip and/or palate, families have a lot of questions. Ahna Logan, RN, is here for them with answers. Logan works with families as a care coordinator in the M Health Fairview Pediatrics Cleft Lip and Palate Program, supporting those living with cleft lips, palates, and other craniofacial complexities.

As a care coordinator, Logan is often the first and constant point of contact for families. “I do a lot helping with pre-visit planning making sure they have everything they need leading up to those initial appointments. Then after the appointments, I work with the families to help them through what’s next – whether that be follow-up appointments, what treatment will look like, and generally optimizing their care team visits,” Logan said.

Because a cleft lip and/or palate can have long-lasting effects on a child’s feeding, speech, and development, our care often begins before the child is born so that families can feel confident for the journey ahead.

“We really want them to be prepared,” Logan said. “I want them to feel like they have the resources they need. We, as their care team, are here to answer any questions they have as they come up.”

For the Johnson family, whose daughter Kallihan (aka Kalli) was diagnosed with a cleft lip at their 20-week ultrasound, this made all the difference. Before Kalli was born, the family met with Pediatric Otolaryngologist Luke Jakubowski, MD. Jakubowski is also the medical director of the cleft and craniofacial team at M Health Fairview Pediatrics, and an assistant professor with University of Minnesota Medical School. Jakubowski met with the Johnsons and walked through everything they could expect, including the surgery to repair Kalli’s cleft lip.

In partnership with the Johnson family, our team decided on an early approach to surgery that would help Kali learn how to eat and use her mouth during those first months of life. This early surgery is also important for Kali’s facial development and appearance as she grows older. Compassionate support from Ahna Logan reassured the family that they were on the right path.

Kalli had surgery when she was 3 months old. When her parents had questions about one of Kali’s stitches, they reached out to Logan immediately. Logan’s quick response put them at ease. “She was so attentive and responsive,” said Kennedy, Kalli’s mom.

In the weeks and months following surgery, Logan was a constant source of support and information for the family as Kali healed. Now, Kalli is 9 months old and is not expected to need any future surgeries. Her parents say it’s hard to tell she even had a cleft lip. “It’s pretty spectacular what they can do to a tiny face,” Kennedy said.

The Johnsons are grateful for the care that surrounded them throughout their journey. “I don’t think we’d be able to be so calm, cool, and collected if we didn’t have such great nurses and doctors,” Kalli’s parents said.

Building these relationships is what Logan appreciates the most about her job. “When you see these children from birth, then they become toddlers, then adolescents, it’s very rewarding to be part of their journey and watch them grow.”

While Kalli may not need any other surgeries at this time, children with a cleft lip and/or palate can sometimes experience recurrent ear infections or dental problems down the road. When it happens, the Johnsons know their first point of contact will be with our cleft care coordinators.

“I think that’s a really good feeling to have that – even though Kallihan won’t be seeing them consistently anymore – we always have a team behind us if we have questions or concerns,” said Kennedy.

“The door is always open, regardless of how much time has passed,” Logan said. “All they need to do is reach out.”