When Mollie was born, she was referred to a physician in Wichita, Kan., and had her first surgery to close her lip at 10 weeks old. Several months later, a member of Shriners International heard about Mollie and contacted her family. He told them that Mollie, then 1 year old, was eligible to receive expert care at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Chicago. The hospital’s chief-of-staff established Mollie as a patient and consulted with a team of doctors and medical professionals to create a comprehensive treatment regimen that would last until she was about 21. The team was composed of 17 professional, including a speech pathologist, an ear, nose and throat doctor, plastic surgeons, an audiologist, a dentist and an orthodontist, as well as psychologists to assess Mollie’s psychological development.

Since Mollie became a patient at Shriners Hospitals for Children, she has undergone 20 reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries, from the closure of her palate to rhinoplasty to orthodontic surgery. The procedures have made it possible for her to eat, drink and speak without the problems often associated with a cleft lip and palate.

 

Mollie, a junior at Fort Hays State University, is an active young woman who enjoys a wide variety of activities. She was very active in many organizations in high school and was one of four valedictorians in her senior class. She is an active member of the FHSU chapters of National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and National Society of Collegiate Scholars and has earned a spot on the Dean’s Honor Roll. She has served on the state board of directors for the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). In addition, Mollie enjoys college life and spending time with her friends.

In her spare time, Mollie speaks to groups about her experiences as a cleft lip and palate patient. She is a patient ambassador for Shriners Hospitals for Children and speaks regularly at the organization’s events. She has represented at countless local Shrine Clubs, temple functions, Shrine Associations, Shriners International Imperial Council Sessions in St. Louis in 2008 and San Antonio in 2009 and the 2010 National East-West Shrine Bowl Game Player Appreciation and Hall of Fame Inductee Banquet in Orlando.

 As for future plans, Mollie has been inspired by her speech pathologist at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Chicago, Mary O’Gara, and is studying communications disorders at Fort Hays State University. Upon completion of her master’s degree, she hopes to work as a traveling speech-language pathologist.