Dr. Catharine Garland, associate professor in the Division of Plastic Surgery, was honored with the 2026 Emerging Leader Award from the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA).
The Emerging Leader Award is given to an early career professional who is a member of ACPA for at least three years and not more than 15 years, who exhibits exemplary accomplishment and dedication to the issues affecting people with cleft and craniofacial conditions.
Dr. Garland is the director of the UW Health Kids Cleft and Craniofacial Anomalies Clinical and the co-director of the Birthmarks and Vascular Anomalies Program. She, along with Dr. Daniel Cho, provide exceptional leadership to the Division of Plastic Surgery’s Craniofacial Program.
The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association is the premier scientific resource and interdisciplinary professional network for healthcare providers serving patients with cleft lip, cleft palate and craniofacial differences. ACPA works to support the care of patients affected by cleft and craniofacial conditions. These patients require care form a variety of specialists over time, and ACPA optimizes outcomes for individuals with oral cleft and craniofacial conditions through education, support, research and interdisciplinary team care.