The wait times in our emergency departments are longer than usual due to illnesses like RSV and the flu. View our estimated ED wait times and learn more about where to get care for your sick child.

Children’s Minnesota announces updated ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery subspecialty leadership

Children’s Minnesota is excited to announce that due to growth in the Cleft and Craniofacial program, the specialties are being split into their own respective multidisciplinary subspecialty programs effective immediately. The subspecialties will continue to be part of the Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) and Facial Plastic Surgery program, the only pediatric ENT program in Minnesota dedicated exclusively to kids with disorders of the head and neck. Patients will continue to see the same multidisciplinary team of providers in the same clinic locations.

Headshot of Dr. Robert Tibesar, director of the Craniofacial program
Dr. Robert Tibesar, director of the Craniofacial program.

Dr. Robert Tibesar will move from serving as medical director of the Cleft and Craniofacial program to director of the Craniofacial program. Dr. Tibesar is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He attended medical school at the University of Minnesota and completed an otolaryngology residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

He then completed a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery at Children’s Minnesota and University of Minnesota. He is Board Certified in Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology and an active member of the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association. He has participated in multiple surgical mission trips abroad to care for children with cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial deformities.

Headshot of Dr. Brianne Roby, director of the Cleft program
Headshot of Dr. Brianne Roby, director of the Cleft program

Dr. Brianne Roby will serve as director of the Cleft program. Dr. Roby attended medical school at and completed otolaryngology residency at the University of Minnesota. She went on to complete a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery at the University of Colorado and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. She is Board Certified in Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology and an active member of the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association.

She has been involved in the American Academy of Otolaryngology, American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngologists, and served on numerous committees. Dr. Roby will continue to serve as director of the ENT and Plastic Surgery Fellowship at Children’s Minnesota.

Headshot of Abby Meyer, MD, MPH
Abby Meyer, MD, MPH

“Dividing the Cleft and Craniofacial program will allow our kid experts to not only continue providing the care our current patients come to expect but also allow us to provide even more dedication to each of these programs, with the goal of improving access to quality complex, highly-specialized care for all kids with cleft and craniofacial conditions,” said Dr. Abby Meyer, medical director of the ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery program at Children’s Minnesota.

“I’m thrilled to have Dr. Tibesar and Dr. Roby leading these programs. Their experience, expertise and leadership set us apart and provide patients and families the care they deserve.”

The new leadership roles for Dr. Tibesar and Dr. Roby take effect immediately.

Referral resources

To refer a patient or connect with a kid expert 24/7, call the Children’s Minnesota Physician Access line.

Children’s Minnesota is excited to announce that due to growth in the Cleft and Craniofacial program, the specialties are being split into their own respective multidisciplinary subspecialty programs effective immediately. The subspecialties will continue to be part of the Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) and Facial Plastic Surgery program, the only pediatric ENT program in Minnesota dedicated exclusively to kids with disorders of the head and neck. Patients will continue to see the same multidisciplinary team of providers in the same clinic locations. Dr. Robert Tibesar will move from serving as medical director of the Cleft and Craniofacial program to director of the Craniofacial program. Dr. Tibesar is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He attended medical school at the University of Minnesota and completed an otolaryngology residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He then completed a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery at Children’s Minnesota and University of Minnesota. He is Board Certified in Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology and an active member of the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association. He has participated in multiple surgical mission trips abroad to care for children with cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial deformities. Dr. Brianne Roby will serve as director of the Cleft program. Dr. Roby attended medical school at and completed otolaryngology residency at the University of Minnesota. She went on to complete a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery at the University of Colorado and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. She is Board Certified in Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology and an active member of the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association. She has been involved in the American Academy of Otolaryngology, American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngologists, and served on numerous committees. Dr. Roby will continue to serve as director of the ENT and Plastic Surgery Fellowship at Children’s Minnesota.“Dividing the Cleft and Craniofacial program will allow our kid experts to not only continue providing the care our current patients come to expect but also allow us to provide even more dedication to each of these programs, with the goal of improving access to quality complex, highly-specialized care for all kids with cleft and craniofacial conditions,” said Dr. Abby Meyer, medical director of the ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery program at Children’s Minnesota. “I’m thrilled to have Dr. Tibesar and Dr. Roby leading these programs. Their experience, expertise and leadership set us apart and provide patients and families the care they deserve.” The new leadership roles for Dr. Tibesar and Dr. Roby take effect immediately.

Referral resources

To refer a patient or connect with a kid expert 24/7, call the Children’s Minnesota Physician Access line.

More news stories

After a gun took her son’s life, a Minneapolis mom turned pain into purpose.
Princess Titus is a Minneapolis mother who turned her grief into a mission for change after losing her teenage son, Anthony, to gun violence. Learn about the incredible work Princess...
Baby Harrison defies odds, overcomes complication after complication
Jim and Vanessa Cody stayed at Children’s Minnesota for two months while they watched their son Harrison go through challenge after challenge. Harrison is now 2 years old and living...
Children’s Minnesota researchers make big strides in DICER1-related cancer findings
The International PPB/DICER1 and OTST Registries had a record-breaking number of rare tumor registry enrollments in 2024; over 150 individuals from around the world enrolled, bringing total enrollment to over...