Reconstructing Lives, One Smile at a Time

Agullo and a physician from the Mayo Clinic performed 66 surgeries to correct cleft lips and palates on children in Peru.

Agullo and a physician from the Mayo Clinic performed 66 surgeries to correct cleft lips and palates on children in Peru.

Plastic surgeon Frank Agullo, M.D., recently traveled to Cusco, Peru, on a medical mission to provide medical care to children with facial abnormalities such as cleft lip and cleft palate.

Cleft lip and palate are birth defects that affect the upper lip and the roof of the mouth, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. A cleft lip and palate can: affect the appearance of the face, lead to problems with feeding and speech and sometimes can lead to ear infections.

Agullo, a clinical assistant professor in the Division of Plastic Surgery at the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine Department of Surgery, was able to make the trip in conjunction with Smile Network International, which was founded to reconstruct lives through one bright, smiling face at a time.

Agullo worked closely with Uldis Bite, M.D., a plastic surgeon at the Mayo Clinic to perform 66 surgeries during the visit.

He is a graduate of the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine surgery residency program. He went on to train at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., before returning to El Paso to practice plastic surgery.

Related Stories

A Rite of Passage for Next Generation of Physicians

Students in TTUHSC's School of Medicine Class of 2028 received their first white coat and pledged their commitment to the medical profession at the White Coat Ceremony Friday (July 26) at the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

As spring approaches, some people’s thoughts turn to gardening. Whether it’s a flower garden they desire or a vegetable garden want to have, they begin planning what they’ll plant and what they need to do to ensure a successful garden.

Adopt a Growth Mindset for a Better Life

A “growth mindset” accepts that our intelligence and talents can develop over time, and a person with that mindset understands that intelligence and talents can improve through effort and learning.

Recent Stories

Education

From Oil Field to Health Care: Chineme Chima-Nlewem, PA-C

Chineme Chima-Nlewem, PA-C, works as a pain management provider at MCH ProCare Interventional Pain Medicine - a career born out of her own painful experience.

Health

Navigating Holiday Cheer

Seasonal alcoholic beverages at festive parties are woven into many holiday traditions, and many experts agree that consumption can bring risks worth keeping in mind as the holiday season gets into full swing.

Education

Exceptional Value, Outstanding Outcomes: TTUHSC’s DPT Program

TTUHSC’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program has been around for nearly 40 years.