In observance of vascular birthmarks awareness month, The International Birthmarks Institute at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital held its first Vascular Birthmarks Conference at the hospital’s main campus on May 5^th. The event brought together patients, families and medical professionals representing a range of specialties to present the latest in diagnosis, treatment and research related to birthmarks. Patients who attended had the opportunity to share their personal journeys with a vascular birthmark to inspire hope and encouragement to others.
 
Among those who attended includes: Dr. Ana Duarte, Director of the Division of Dermatology and the International Birthmarks Institute; Dr. Chad Perlyn, Chief, Pediatric Specialists of America Section of Pediatric Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Dr. Linda Rozell-Shannon, President and Founder of the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation; Dr. Liset Pelaez, Pediatric Pathologist; Dr. Ricardo Restrepo, Pediatric Interventional Radiologist and Dr. Frank Wang, Pediatric Anesthesiologist.


 
The International Birthmark Institute (TIBI) at Nicklaus Children's Hospital is a comprehensive multi-specialty center of excellence for the evaluation and management of all birthmarks with special expertise in vascular birthmarks or vascular anomalies in newborn babies and children, including hemangiomas and vascular malformations.