Dr. HyeRan Choo Recognized with David Precious Memorial Science Award

August 15, 2024

Dr. HyeRan Choo was recognized with the David Precious Memorial Science Award at the 16th World Congress of the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation (ICPF). According to the ICPF website, this is the highest scientific award of the organization and named after the founder and chairman of the ICPF, the late professor David Stanley Precious. 

“Professionally, I consider this one of the greatest recognitions that could be received by a clinician and researcher in the field of craniofacial anomaly. I am humbled to be selected by my peers for this award,” said Choo. “Personally, I am more motivated and energized by this recognition to continue pursuing my passion in helping babies with Robin sequence and their families. I believe it will help raise public awareness of this treatment as a definitive nonsurgical option for neonates with Robin sequence and change an environment where surgery is traditionally the first option.” 

Choo received the award for her work on the orthodontic airway plate treatment protocol (OAP). Robin sequence, also known as Pierre Robin sequence, is a congenital condition characterized by a small lower jaw, a displaced tongue, and airway obstruction, often associated with a cleft palate. Severe respiratory distress of neonates and infants with Robin sequence is traditionally managed by surgery such as tracheostomy or mandibular distraction osteogenesis in the first few months of life. Choo has been treating these patients nonsurgically with OAP for the last four years. 

Choo is a clinical associate professor who joined Stanford’s Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery faculty in 2016. To young professionals in the field of craniofacial anomaly, Choo shares the advice, “Be kind to people who may be different. Be curious about things that may seem ordinary.”

The concept of OAP was first introduced in 1967 by William Pielou, a dentist in Northern Ireland at the time, but never crossed the Atlantic Ocean until Choo started the treatment at Stanford. 

Choo presented the Stanford OAP protocol and longitudinal treatment outcomes at the 15th World Congress of the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation that was hosted in Seoul, Korea in June 2023.

Learn more about OAP