Presidents’ Perceptions: An Historic Review of Fifty Years of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association

This historic review of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association was written by the Historian charged by the ACPA Executive Council for the purpose of updating the history of the organization in honor of its 50th Anniversary. The data base for this review was the previously published 36-year history by Historian Charlotte Wells, the minutes of ACPA Executive Council meetings from 1979 to 1993, and a questionnaire survey of the 32 living Past Presidents (with a 90% return rate). This review highlights the important issues and critical decisions as recalled by Past Presidents. It also includes the recollection of humorous anecdotes, since the scholarly debate of this interdisciplinary organization is often brought to a positive interpersonal level through the good natured humor of many of Its members.