Zachary Dugruise has been part of the Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health family since he was a baby, after being diagnosed with a cleft lip and palate.
What began as a referral for specialized care turned into a long-term relationship with a multidisciplinary team that’s supported Zachary through more than a decade of surgeries, therapies and milestones. Now 11, he’s preparing for what may be his final cleft surgery this summer.
“We’ve had surgery every year or every other year, sometimes for his cleft, sometimes for ear issues,” says his mom, Lauren. “It’s been a lot, but we’ve always had great support.”
More Than a Smile
Zachary’s care has always gone beyond the surface. While the goal is a strong, confident smile, his cleft journey has touched nearly every aspect of his health, from speech to hearing to reading comprehension.
His care team includes specialists in otolaryngology, dentistry, orthodontics, speech therapy, genetics and pediatrics, all of whom meet with the family during one annual visit to reassess his needs and make a plan.
“It’s amazing,” Lauren says. “You get everyone in one place, on the same page. It makes a big difference.”
The Power of the Right People
Laura Hetzler, MD, FACS, has led Zachary’s care for much of his life, and her compassionate, patient-first approach made an instant impression.
“She explains everything in plain terms and really took time to connect with Zachary as a person,” Lauren says. Lisa Morris, MD, has also joined Zachary’s cleft team and performed his recent bone grafting surgery. Dr. Hetzler and Dr. Morris are otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat physicians), both with specialties in facial plastic surgery, and co-directors of Our Lady of the Lake Cleft and Craniofacial multidisciplinary team.
Learn more about cleft lip and palate in this ParentingU episode with Dr. Hetzler and Dr. Morris.
Their collaboration has included specialists from other areas of Zachary’s care, even checking in with his orthopedic provider before using his hip bone for grafting, due to a previous condition.
At age 4, he was diagnosed with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, a rare condition that affected his hip. He spent nearly two years in a wheelchair, scooting around on his bottom. But once he was cleared, he went right back into the sports he loves.
A Resilient Athlete
Zachary has never stopped moving — and never stopped smiling. Now 11 and in fifth grade, Zachary plays competitive soccer, travel baseball and basketball.
“He doesn’t sit still,” Lauren says. “He’s a total sports kid — very much a boy’s boy.”
At home, he shares that energy with his older brother, Joshua, and their dad, Ryan.
One of the family’s biggest breakthroughs came when they realized how closely Zachary’s speech and learning challenges were connected. Years of ear infections had affected his hearing, which in turn impacted his ability to pronounce words — and understand what was being said in class.
Thanks to his longtime speech therapist, Courtney Gonsoulin, MS, CCC-SLP, clinical faculty member at LSU and part of the cleft team at Our Lady of the Lake, Zachary is making great progress both with speech and school.
“She even worked with his school to make sure he could get support during the day,” Lauren says. “We didn’t know all of this was connected until we had a team that really looked at the full picture.”
Looking Ahead with Gratitude
Zachary’s cleft journey isn’t over. Dr. Hetzler will continue seeing him through early adulthood. Some procedures, like nasal surgery, are held off until the face has finished growing. But after this summer’s buckle flap surgery, most of his major reconstructive work will be complete.
For Lauren, it’s been a long road filled with learning, gratitude and moments of joy, and a team that’s always put Zachary first.
On April 19, Zachary will be recognized as one of Our Lady of the Lake’s Geaux Heroes during the LSU Baseball game against Alabama, a moment that celebrates his courage, his smile and the many people who’ve helped shape his path.
Zachary’s journey has been about more than just appearance. From surgeries to speech, hearing and learning, it’s been about giving him every chance to thrive, with a smile that shows it.
