Meet the Specialists
Robert J. Wood, M.D. - Craniofacial Surgeon
Wood leads the Center for Craniofacial Services as program director. Prior to Gillette, he served as director of the Emory Egleston Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Anomalies in Atlanta.
Active in craniofacial research, Wood helped pioneer current techniques in endoscopic surgery to remove facial masses. He also developed an intra-oral bone expander and has an international reputation for his experience in resorbable fixation. In 2000, he worked closely with orthotists at Gillette to develop the CranioCap® orthosis to correct deformational plagiocepahly in infants.
Kelly Nett Cordero, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Kelly Nett Cordero, a speech-language pathologist, joined Gillette in 2008. She provides speech-language pathology services to patients — primarily those who have clefts, velopharyngeal dysfunction and other craniofacial conditions that affect speech. Dr. Cordero also performs nasendoscopic evaluations. She is fluent in Spanish, and able to provide bilingual services at families’ request.
Dr. Cordero sees patients at Gillette’s St. Paul location and at other Gillette sites as needed. In addition to her clinical work, she supervises the speech-language pathology department at Gillette’s St. Paul clinic. She also does clinical research and contributes to continuing education efforts for Gillette staff. Such education relates to various craniofacial conditions and to working with culturally and linguistically-diverse populations.
Joseph Petronio, M.D., FACS, FAAP - Pediatric Neurosurgeon
Petronio provides neurosurgery services and consultation to Gillette’s craniofacial team. Petronio came to Gillette from Emery University School of Medicine in Atlanta, where he served as chief of pediatric neurosurgery and assistant professor of neurosurgery.
Patrick Graupman, M.D. - Pediatric Neurosurgeon
Patrick Graupman, M.D., a pediatric neurosurgeon, sees patients with spina bifida, epilepsy, brain tumors and craniofacial disorders. His subspecialty interests are hydrocephalus and spinal disorders — conditions that he also treats at Gillette.
Cheryl Cermin, D.D.S. - Orthodontist
Cermin specializes in orthodontic care for patients who undergo plastic and reconstructive surgery at Gillette. Prior to joining Gillette, Cermin was an assistant clinical professor at Baylor College of Dentistry and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School.
David Collier, D.D.S. - Pediatric Dentist
Collier provides dental care to Gillette patients who have cerebral palsy, cleft lip and palate, and other disabilities that affect the facial area. In addition to treating patients at Gillette, Collier practices at K.O.A.L.A. Dental Care in St. Cloud, Minn.
Nancy Mendelsohn, M.D. - Medical Geneticist
As a medical geneticist in the Center for Craniofacial Services, Mendelsohn provides diagnostic, genetic counseling and case-management services to Gillette patients and families with congenital conditions. She also helps families access information and support materials to better understand how genetic factors play a role in certain conditions. In addition to her work at Gillette, Mendelsohn serves as an assistant professor of medical genetics in the University of Minnesota’s Department of Pediatrics.
Cheryl Shell, R.N., P.N.P.
Shell’s role at Gillette includes post-op, in-hospital care for craniofacial and plastic-surgery patients. She also serves as a feeding specialist and lactation consultation for infants with cleft lip and cleft palate, and is program manager for the Center for Craniofacial Services.
Pediatric Specialists
Other pediatric specialists may be involved in a craniofacial treatment program, depending on the patient’s individual needs. Children who have cleft lip and palate, for instance, often require speech and language therapy. Psychologists help children overcome self-esteem or identity issues that may accompany craniofacial conditions. Our multidisciplinary team may also include:
- Child life specialist
- Genetic counselor
- Neurodevelopmental pediatrician
- Nutritionist
- Occupational therapist
- Ophthalmologist
- Orthopaedic surgeon
- Orthotist
- Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine physician
- Physical therapist
- Psychologist
- Radiologist
- Social worker
- Speech and language pathologist
