Dr. Rhodes strongly believes in providing coordinated interdisciplinary care for children with complex and unusual craniofacial anomalies. Dr. Rhodes works closely with the pediatric neurosurgeons and pediatric anesthesiologists at CHoR to provide the safest surgical experience. Dr. Rhodes may recommend a medication to be used before surgery which increases the amount of red blood cells in an infant’s body and greatly reduces any need for transfusions, minimizing the length of hospital stay. Dr. Rhodes’ clinical interests include craniosynostosis and Apert syndrome. She is currently researching the role of genetics for nonsyndromic craniosynostosis examining the role of DNA in children and family members. Other research involves orofacial clefting in populations with African ancestry and peri-operative intracranial pressure changes associated with cranial vault remodeling for craniosynsotosis. She has pioneered an innovative collaborative sculpture program for the resident plastic surgeons focusing on art and medicine. As a result of this novel approach, she was a featured presenter in TEDtalks VA.
