Grateful Parents of Young Son Born with Cleft Palate to Dedicate Room at El Paso Children's Hospital


El Paso TX (February 18, 2020) Liam Gallardo was born with cleft palate and at 11 months old, had the first of several surgeries to repair his cleft at El Paso Children’s Hospital. His parents, Eder Gallardo and Desiree Leon, were relieved to know their baby would have the surgeries at home. The Gallardo family is showing their gratitude by gifting El Paso Children’s Hospital $25,000 to name a room after their son Liam.

The Naming Rights ceremony will be on Tuesday, Feb. 18, from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Room 1068, 10th floor at El Paso Children’s Hospital, 4815 Alameda Avenue.

Dr. David Yates is the medical director for El Paso Children’s Hospital Craniofacial Clinic.

“I feel so honored to be a part of Liam’s care here at El Paso Children’s Hospital,” said Dr. Yates. “In El Paso, we now have nationally certified Cleft and Craniofacial teams able to comprehensively care for any child born with any facial abnormalities at the highest level of anywhere in the country.”


Parents of children diagnosed with a serious illness or condition often had to travel out of town before El Paso Children’s Hospital was created on Feb. 14, 2012.

“One in 700 babies is born with cleft palate every year in this country. We are proud to say that our hospital is one of eight international pediatric fellowships in this specialty and is the first and only comprehensive pediatric cranial and facial program in the region,” said Estela Casas, Executive Director of El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Parents no longer have to uproot their family and travel elsewhere for specialized care. It’s available at home at El Paso Children’s Hospital. Our hospital.”