About WCF

Craniofacial surgery focuses on the correction of deformities of the bones of the skull and face and is that specialty in medicine which includes the investigation, preservation and restoration of craniofacial form and function by medical and surgical means.  One in 500 births presents some type of craniofacial or clefting abnormality. As recently as 40 years ago, medicine offered little hope to patients with severe craniofacial deformities.  Today, craniofacial surgery, undertaken by highly experienced teams, has profoundly changed the outlook for these patients and their families.  Through advancements in medical technology and the skill of multidisciplinary professionals, the impossibilities of the past are now a reality.

WCF Mission

The mission of the World Craniofacial Foundation is to give help, hope, and healing by uplifting people with craniofacial abnormalities and their families. 

WCF Vision

The vision of the WCF is that all people with craniofacial abnormalities will receive excellent craniofacial care regardless of geography or socio-economic class. As an organization, the World Craniofacial Foundation will be the global leader in advocacy for superb craniofacial patient care, education and research, as well as the primary resource of philanthropic support.

WCF History

In the late 1960s, a few plastic surgeons in North America developed the basis of surgical solutions to craniofacial birth defects and trauma.  New insights and surgical techniques were rapidly developed and popularized.  Children with major facial birth defects, tumors, and post-traumatic injuries finally could live more normal lives.

Two of the pioneers in craniofacial surgery were Dr. Kenneth E. Salyer and Dr. Ian Munro.  Dr. Salyer, who worked for 38 years in Dallas, Texas, brought craniofacial surgery to the southwestern United States.  He performed the first major intracranial surgical correction of hypertelorism in the Southwest in September 1972.  He initiated a craniofacial fellowship in 1979, while performing hundreds of surgeries per year for 36 years in craniofacial surgery.  Dr. Munro blazed a similar trail in Canada.  In the early 1980s, the leadership of Medical City invited both surgeons, joined by Dr. Derek Bruce, to develop a world-class craniofacial surgical institute in Dallas.  In 1986, the Dallas International Craniofacial Center opened.

The WCF was organized in Dallas by Dr. Salyer in 1989 to help children with craniofacial deformities and to give them a better start in life by providing the life-changing surgery they deserved.  The WCF remained small until an article about Dr. Salyer and his work with children, appearing in the December 1996 issue of Parade Magazine brought validation of WCF’s mission and a renewal of its vision.

Subsequent media attention from Oprah Winfrey, as well as the local, national and world press surrounding the successful separation surgery on the Egyptian conjoined twin boys, moved the WCF forward and enabled help for many more patients.  No longer in private practice, Dr. Salyer has assumed the role of Chairman of the Board for the WCF, continuing his compassionate advocacy for children and the teaching of his advanced surgical skills.

For more information visit our website at http://www.worldcf.org/