Foundation
Meet the Team
Our team brings together leading surgeons, medical experts, and advocates who are dedicated to supporting children and families facing craniofacial surgery. With decades of combined experience and a shared commitment to compassionate care, each member contributes unique expertise and perspective to help families feel informed, prepared, and supported every step of the way.
Dina Kaplan
Founder & Patient Advocate
Dina Kaplan is a rising Senior at Brown studying Applied Mathematics-Biology on a premedical track. Having undergone complete craniofacial reconstructive surgery at five months old and more recent follow up surgeries in high school, Dina hopes to offer emotional fluency to children and families undergoing similar circumstances. Dina’s passions lie intersecting bioengineering with translational goals to create technologies that provide comfort and support to families of children with craniofacial surgeries. Dina has published My Beautiful Scar, a children’s book sharing her own experiences with surgery for coronal craniosynostosis. She has worked with several organizations at Brown to provide similar comforting narratives to support children with chronic conditions.
Jeffery Robery Marcus
Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Jeffrey R. Marcus is a Professor of Surgery, Pediatrics, and Head & Neck Surgery at Duke University, specializing in pediatric plastic and craniofacial surgery. Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, he has authored more than 120 academic articles and completed fellowships in pediatric plastic and craniofacial surgery at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. His clinical expertise spans cleft lip and palate repair, craniofacial reconstruction, and facial paralysis. Known for pairing technical skill with deep compassion, Dr. Marcus is dedicated to helping children and families navigate complex surgical journeys.
Delora Mount
Craionfacial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Delora Mount is a pediatric craniofacial plastic surgeon and Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of North Carolina, where she serves as Chief of Craniofacial Plastic Surgery. With more than 25 years of experience, she specializes in caring for children with cleft lip and palate, craniosynostosis, and complex craniofacial conditions. Dr. Mount is known for combining surgical expertise with a warm, family-centered approach, guiding patients and families through every step of treatment and recovery.
