We had our first Earicles “mini” Microtia Atresia Conference this past weekend at the iconic Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago. The event kicked off with a Friday evening ice cream sundae Meet & Greet. On Saturday morning there were surgeon presentations (myself – Medpor Ear Reconstruction, Dr. Arturo Bonilla – Rib Cartilage Ear Reconstruction, Dr. Bradley Kesser – Atresia Repair and Auditory Processors), followed by a Patient/Parent Forum Question & Answer session and Individual Patient Appointments with surgeons.
The “mini” conference format was a new venture for us and so far the feedback has been extremely positive! While we originally anticipated that families would only attend from the Illinois and surrounding states, our attendees traveled from ALL over the United States and world! 
Families were still able to learn about Microtia and Atresia surgical options from world leading experts, connect with other Microtia and Atresia families, and had time to enjoy the Chicago area attractions (Shedd Aquarium, The Bean, Millennium Park, Oak Street Beach, Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo). Since my background is in architecture, I personally enjoyed all of the amazing art and buildings located in downtown Chicago!
miniMAC Chicago photos have been uploaded into a facebook Photo Album. There are also many great pictures that families posted on our miniMAC Chicago facebook Event Page.
This concludes our 2014 Earicles Microtia Atresia Conferences (we also had conferences this year in Ecuador, Colombia and Los Angeles). We have already started the initial planning of our 2015 conferences (specific dates and locations will be announced later this year)!
Special thanks to our miniMAC Chicago speakers, families and sponsors (Cochlear Americas, EarWell, K and B Surgical Center, Oticon Medical, and Sophono).
Earicles ~ Miracles for Ears, is a non-profit to help children born without ears thrive through Education, Advocacy, Research and Surgical care (EARS). For more information on our conferences or how to donate to this great cause, please go to: www.microtiaearsurgery.com/earicles.