Meet our Team
World-class providers
Our team is made up of a dedicated, multi-disciplinary group of cleft care specialists from Los Angeles.
The combined experience of these individuals is what allows us to deliver outstanding results our patients.
SURGEONS
Jeffrey Hammoudeh, MD DDS, FACS
Mark Urata,
MD, DDS, FACS
William Magee III, MD, DDS
Dr. Hammoudeh is an Associate Chief of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery. He is the primary investigator and working in neonatal cleft lip repair. As lead surgeon and author, he has co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles and lectured nationally as well as internationally on the topic.
He is a recognized leader in pediatric plastic surgery and has active research in neonatal cleft lip repair, neonatal distraction, and craniofacial reconstruction of the jaw.
Dr. Urata is the Medical Director of the Division of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery at our institution. An accomplished surgeon, author, and speaker, he specializes in the most complex craniofacial anomalies.
Dr. Urata is a well-respected researcher in his field of cleft care and has recently received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the molecular mechanisms of cleft palate. He holds positions as both associate and research assistant professor in this area.
Dr. Magee is an Associate Professor of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery and is the co-investigator in the early cleft lip repair study.
In addition to his medical expertise, he also brings a unique global background to the our team. As the oldest son of the founders of Operation Smile, he was exposed to the challenges of children with craniofacial anomalies at an early age. He has since led Operation Smile teams in surgeries both nationally and internationally.
NURSE PRACTITIONERS
Jennifer Vanda O’Neal, CPNP
Jennifer is a pediatric nurse practitioner who received a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Boston University. After spending several years in the financial sector she realized healthcare was her true passion and obtained Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Nursing from Columbia University in New York City.
She has spent her career as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner working in a variety of pediatric settings including primary care, orthopaedics, and plastic surgery.
When not at work, she can be found trail running, open water swimming, cycling the canyons, or on her yoga mat.
Nichole Buswell, RN, MSN, PNP-BC
Nichole has been with the Division of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery since October 2016. She received her Undergraduate degrees in Psychology and English from Boston College. Afterwards, she spent two years teaching elementary school with Teach For America in San Francisco, CA.
Nichole received her RN and Master of Science in Nursing degrees from Yale University. She spent over 4 years working as a PNP in Medical Genetics prior to joining the Craniofacial team.
Outside of work, Nichole enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her husband and young son.
Karla Haynes, RN, MPH, MS, CPNP
Karla has been a nurse practitioner with the Division of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery since 2006. She completed her Masters of Public Health at the University of Michigan and attended Columbia University to earn her Pediatric Nurse Practitioner degree.
Karla was a two-term President of the Los Angeles Chapter of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Karla has made numerous presentations at the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association’s annual meeting and is a reviewer of pediatric content for the Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal. She also sits on the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Ethics Resource Committee.
Sally Danto, PNP-PC
Sally is a graduate of the University of Michigan, School of Nursing. After ten years as a Neonatal ICU bedside nurse, she received her Master of Science in Nursing degree, with a pediatric focus from Azusa Pacific University.
Sally joined the Craniofacial team at our institution in 2019 and enjoys working with newborn babies and their parents. She has a special interest in providing lactation support to mothers of babies born with clefts.
CLEFT TEAM
Our multidisciplinary team is made up of a variety of specialists who will help care for and support your family. In addition to the surgeons, our team members include our pediatric anesthesiologists, nurse practitioners, psychologists, and social workers.
LOCATION
Our team operates out of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), located in Los Angeles, California.
Consistently rated among the top five pediatric medical centers in the United States, CHLA is equipped with the best facilities and support for families and patients undergoing ECLR.
Our Division at CHLA