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For Dr. Michael Sundine his work goes beyond performing surgery. He is committed to giving each young patient a sense of normalcy and a reason to smile again.
Dr. Sundine is highly regarded for outstanding reconstructive plastic surgery, including cleft lip and palate deformities, craniosynostosis, microtia, and vascular birthmarks such as port-wine stains and hemangiomas.
“The most difficult, challenging, operations are those of children – they’re big operations. We’re being trusted by parents with the most precious things in their lives,” he explains.
Due to the complexity of these disorders which often require a team approach, Dr. Sundine works closely with CHOC specialists from numerous fields including genetics neurology, orthopaedics, plastic surgery, and ear, nose and throat, to ensure the best treatment for each unique condition.
But perhaps more complex than the clinical aspect of these abnormalities, are the psychological, emotional, and social pressures Dr. Sundine’s patients undergo. He understands the struggles his young patients face every day and focuses on normalizing their condition by the time they enter school.
“It’s really rewarding. You truly make a difference in the lives of these kids,” says Dr. Sundine.
At a recent visit, a precious little girl, fidgeting and giggling, jumped around Dr. Sundine’s exam room. No one would guess by her upbeat attitude, she will soon be undergoing a bilateral mandible distraction, which will repair her tiny receding chin. Dr. Sundine makes her feel right at home. Like many of his patients, she has grown up with Dr. Sundine and feels comfortable in his presence.
At the end of the day, Dr. Sundine’s only goal is to give these kids a sense of hope and confidence through his work. He adds that during his time at CHOC, he has learned a lot from his patients. Their determination and ability to bounce back is astounding, exclaims Dr. Sundine.
“They are the real heroes, not us,” he says.
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