Parker Winget

“Parker’s story is very special. My husband Tyler and I suffered with infertility for five years. We were finally able to do IVF in 2021 and were fortunate to get pregnant with our one and only embryo.

I was born with a cleft lip, so I was very fearful that my son would have one as well. Parker had his hands in his face for every ultrasound so, in the earlier months, it was unclear if he had a cleft lip. By my third trimester, the Maternal Fetal Medicine doctors at Overland Park Regional Medical Center were fairly certain he would be born with some sort of cleft lip. We were referred to see the Cleft and Craniofacial Team, co-directed by oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Patrick Christopher.

Dr. Christopher hadn’t even started seeing patients at OPRMC yet, but we specifically waited for him and happened to be his very first patient at the hospital! Parker was measuring big my whole pregnancy and was born at 37 weeks, weighing seven pounds nine ounces. He was officially diagnosed with an incomplete unilateral cleft lip — the exact same diagnosis I received at birth.

Parker ended up in the NICU for unrelated reasons, but Dr. Christopher made sure to come visit us multiple times during our stay. It was honestly reassuring to see a familiar face while we navigated the NICU. After we were discharged from the hospital, we were set up with the Cleft and Craniofacial Team to get Parker evaluated and make sure we were doing well at home. I really appreciated the time and care the whole team took to support us. Anytime we had an appointment in any office, the staff remembered Parker and were always so sweet to us. Parker had his surgery at four months old. He is now nearly six months old and doing amazing!

As a mom that also has a cleft, I was so fearful of what Parker would have to go through. Dr Christopher has reassured us every step of the way and I’m confident that he will be a big part of Parker’s life. We are forever grateful for giving Parker his forever smile!”