Ernesto J Ruas, MD

The Cleft and Craniofacial Program at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital provides a team approach to treat cleft and craniofacial conditions that affect a child’s physician appearance. We specialize in congenital and acquired conditions of the head and neck including cleft lip and palate and craniosynostosis. Our team approach pulls together specialists ensuring a comprehensive care plan for your child. These specialists include Plastic surgeons, Orthodontists, Otolaryngologists, audiologists, Dentists, Psychologists, Speech-language specialists, and Pediatrician.

Dr. S. Alex Rottgers is a pediatric plastic and craniofacial surgeon at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is also an assistant professor in the Johns Hopkins Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Rottgers received his undergraduate degree in biology and philosophy from Rice University in Houston and his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine, graduating with highest honors. He completed his residency in plastic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and performed a fellowship in craniofacial surgery at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Rottgers joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 2015. He currently serves as the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Director of the Cleft/Craniofacial Team, and Co-director of the Vascular Anomalies Clinic in St. Petersburg.Dr. Rottgers's research interests include outcomes research of patients with cleft lip and cleft palate, craniosynostosis, and vascular anomalies. He is interested in 3-D surgical planning and modeling of the craniofacial skeleton for treating patients with deformities.Dr. Rottgers is a member of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Society of Craniofacial Surgery, and American Academy of Pediatrics. He is now serving as the Vice President of the Florida Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association. Dr. Rottgers serves as a journal reviewer for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, and PLOS ONE. He has received numerous awards for his exceptional performance, including the 2018 Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Best Consulting Physician, the American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association Paul Black Junior Investigator Award, and the Baylor College of Medicine L. Leighton Hill Excellence in Pediatrics Award and the S. Carl Harvey Memorial Award for excellence in gross anatomy.