Our Team

Richard E. Kirschner, MD, FACS, FAAP is a pediatric plastic surgeon with over 20 years experience in caring for children with facial differences. He co-founded Magical Moments Foundation, Inc. in 2020 with his wife Krista, who serves as the foundation’s Executive Director.

Dedicated to the service of patients, families and professionals, Dr. Kirschner has educated and trained physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals from across the US and around the world and has cared for underserved children with cleft lip and palate in Central and South America. He has lectured across the globe on the principles of cleft lip and palate surgery, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, and multidisciplinary team care. He has served as President of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association and is the co-editor of Comprehensive Cleft Care, the family edition of Comprehensive Cleft Care, and the soon-to-be-published Cleft Palate and Velopharyngeal Dysfunction.

Dr. Kirschner received his medical degree from the University of Miami. He subsequently completed a residency in general surgery with research distinction at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center and a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed a fellowship in pediatric plastic surgery at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where he remained as Director of the Craniofacial Biology Laboratory and later served as Director of the Cleft Palate Program. Dr. Kirschner now serves as the Robert and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation Endowed Chair in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chief of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Director of the Cleft Lip and Palate Center, and Co-Director of the 22q Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio and as Professor of Surgery in the Department of Plastic Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

Denise Mirman is the managing shareholder of Friedman & Mirman, a law firm practicing family law exclusively. She is an OSBA Board Certified Specialist in the field. Throughout her years of practice, she has handled divorces or dissolutions for business owners, highly compensated executives, and professional athletes. She has extensive experience in high-conflict custody cases, cases dividing complicated assets, cases involving child support and spousal support, grandparent and family member custody cases, cases where there has been fraud or financial or marital misconduct, and cases challenging or enforcing prenuptial agreements, among others.

Denise has been listed in Best Lawyers in America Family Law, the first and preeminent peer review publication for attorneys, every year since 2012, and she was also named by Best Lawyers as the 2015 “Lawyer of the Year” in Family Law in central Ohio. Denise is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and has been named an Ohio Super Lawyer by Law & Politics every year since the inception of the list in 2005. That same publication has also named her a Top 50 Women Ohio Super Lawyer, a Top 25 Women Columbus Ohio Super lawyer, and a Top 50 Columbus Super Lawyer in any field.

In addition, Denise is very involved in philanthropic activities in the central Ohio community. She currently serves on the boards of the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio, the Central Ohio Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and Thurber House, and she is thrilled to serve as a founding board member of Magical Moments Foundation.

Robert S. Hendrix, Esq. is in a private law practice concentrating in estate planning, farm and business planning, entity creation, new business start-ups and charitable giving planning. His practice has grown from a start-up law practice to over 6,000 clients with offices in Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati. Mr. Hendrix previously served as Vice President of Advanced Underwriting for The Columbus Life Insurance Company, where his responsibilities included tax, business, estate planning and charitable giving and professional consultation to over 1400 agents and their clients. He previously taught business law at Franklin University for sixteen years and has been a national speaker on the topics of estate planning, charitable giving, family limited partnerships, and tax and business planning.

Mr. Hendrix received a Doctorate in Law from Capital Law School in 1986 and a Masters in Tax Law from Capital Law School in 1989. He is a member of the American, Ohio and Columbus Bar Associations, Former President of NAIFA-Columbus, Board Member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Central Ohio, Founder, Board Member and Vice-President of the Central Ohio Professional Education Council, and Founder and Chairman of The Spielman Gridiron Classic, which has raised over $200,000 in seven years for breast cancer research.

Mr. Gillard is a retired business executive who, along with his wife Rosemary, resides in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is a graduate of the University of Calgary (Commerce) and the Stanford Business School Executive Program.

He has over forty years of business experience including serving as President of three different energy companies. He served on multiple Canadian corporate Boards of Director including, at various times, as Board Chairman and Chairing the Audit, Governance and Compensation Committees.

Mr. Gillard has also served on not-for-profit boards. He is a past member of the University of Calgary’s Management Advisory Council and has served as Chairman of both the Hospice Calgary Society and Calgary Zoological Society Boards of Directors.

Mr. Gillard was born with a cleft lip and palate (CLP) and published his memoir “What Did You Say?” (www.hughgillard.com) The memoir is a reflection of growing up and successfully overcoming the challenges of looking and speaking differently. All sale proceeds are donated to cleft affected charities. He has also given multiple inspirational speeches at professional conferences and authored a chapter for an upcoming Medical Journal focusing on CLP.

Justine Spinosi was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She holds a BSBA in Marketing from John Carroll University and an MBA from the Ohio State University Fisher College of Business.

A majority of her career has been spent being a key leader within OhioHealth’s credentialing organization where she has a record of excellence for championing systemness, streamlining processes and fostering collaborative, cross-functional relationships with stakeholders who play a vital role in the achievement of regulatory compliance and the advancement of quality patient care.

In addition to Magical Moments Foundation, she is also passionate about giving her time and resources to Columbus Humane.

Executive Vice Provost, UNC-Chapel Hill
Adams Distinguished Professor, UNC Adams School of Dentistry
Professor, Social Medicine, UNC School of Medicine
Clinical Professor, Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
BA, Biology, Queens College of the City University of New York
DMD, University of Pennsylvania
PhD, Sociology, University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Ronald P. Strauss is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Executive Vice Provost (since 2008) and was UNC’s Chief International Officer for nearly a decade. He also holds joint appointments in three schools and is a member of the UNC Craniofacial Center Team. For twelve years, he was Chair of the Department of Dental Ecology in the UNC Adams School of Dentistry.

Since he came to Carolina, Dr. Strauss has been engaged in encouraging health professional students to understand and address social factors that influence health and the provision of healthcare. Dr. Strauss is a sociologist and ethnographer who has used qualitative and survey research methods in numerous social research projects, and he serves as the Faculty Director of the SCEED Office (Strategic Community Engagement, Education and Dissemination) of the UNC Center for AIDS Research (CFAR). His global work has included being a visiting professor in Brazil and Israel, and conducting social research in Thailand, Moldova and China.

Ron’s research has focused on the social impacts of chronic health problems, especially oral/craniofacial differences and HIV/AIDS. His work combines his clinical, social science, ethical, and health policy interests as they relate to craniofacial care, research participation, HIV/AIDS, stigma, prenatal diagnosis, and access to healthcare. Dr. Strauss continues to work as a clinician on the UNC Craniofacial Center’s interdisciplinary team providing care for cleft lip/palate and other craniofacial conditions in children and adults.

As Executive Vice Provost, Ron oversees the appointment, promotion and tenure process, directs the VITAE and Spousal Hiring Programs, the Faculty Retention Program, and coordinates senior academic searches and reviews. He provides leadership to the University’s accreditation and quality enhancement efforts, to Commencement and, to University Day.

Throughout his tenure at Carolina, Dr. Strauss has been extremely active in public service and engagement, both locally and globally. He is the lead faculty member of the Thorp Faculty Engaged Scholars Program of the Carolina Center for Public Service. In recognition of the scope and impact of his work, dental alumni endowed the Dr. Ronald P. Strauss Community and International Health Award to support students’ understanding of the social and cultural influences on health care. Each spring since 1987, Ron has directed and taught the campus-wide “HIV/AIDS Course.”

Dr. Strauss served as President of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association and received both its Distinguished Service Award and the Honors of the Association.

Renee has made Columbus her home for the past 28 years after relocating from Northern California to open a fitness and wellness company in Dublin, OH. After 20 years as a business owner and successfully negotiating the sale of her business, she found she had a desire and passion to negotiate deals. Along with her years of experience working closely with clients to meet their goals, Real Estate was a natural progression for her to do what she loved. She has sold over 45 Million Dollars in Real Estate and in 2019 alone, sold approximately $13,500,000.00 and closed over 35 units.

Renee also completed her course in Interior Design with the highly respected New York Institute of Art and Design, adding expertise in a related field that would bring a more complete customer experience to her clients.

Ed's son Asher was born with a unilateral cleft lip & palate. Ed & Stacy (his wife) have first hand experience and knowledge of the trials, stamina, and successes that having a child with a craniofacial difference can entail. Ed has been a licensed realtor and a member of the NAR for 11 years. Ed graduated from Westland High School in Columbus, after he enlisted and served over 8 years in the United States Navy, traveling around the world before returning home to Ohio. Ed has previously worked in the IT/Computer field for over 17 years.

Steve Biffle is a semi-retired businessman and Pastor.  He and his wife Nancy reside in Goodyear Arizona.  Rev. Biffle graduated from Hamilton University.  Has additional post graduate work from several colleges and institutions.

Steve has been involved in the financial industry for over 45 years, including Vice-President of National Investment Financial Services before owning his own accounting firm in Columbus for 25 years.  A fifth generation minister, he also served as Pastor of Church of the Living Word in Columbus for 37 years.

Currently Steve serves as the Corporate Treasurer of the Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches & Ministers International, based in Irving Texas.  He continues to be involved as a consultant for businesses, churches & individuals.  Steve also serves on several additional boards, both nationally and locally.  An accomplished musician, he has travelled extensively performing Gospel & Country Music. He’s also an avid sports fan and loves to travel with his wife!  Steve has a heart for serving and helping people.  

Krista Schrader serves as Executive Director of Magical Moments Foundation. As the foundation’s top administrator, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization. Krista has dedicated most of her career to serving children’s healthcare needs in central Ohio. As a parent, she understands the complex challenges that children face daily. She has been a tireless advocate for the underserved and volunteers her time at local shelters for homeless children and adults.

Krista believes that one small act of kindness can change a life. She co-founded Magical Moments Foundation with her husband, who currently serves as the foundation’s President. Together, they envision a world where children’s differences are embraced, kindness is celebrated, and every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Joseph K Williams M.D.

Dr. Williams was born in Seoul, Korea but completed his formative years in Mississippi. He subsequently completed Medical School at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and moved to Atlanta for training in General Surgery and Plastic Surgery at Emory University.

Dr. Williams finalized his training at New York University in Pediatric and Craniofacial Surgery  under Dr. Joseph McCarthy.  Dr. Williams subsequently spent three years at Children’s Hospital in Seattle, finally moving back to Atlanta, Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Dr. Williams currently serves as the Chief of Plastic Surgery at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Medical Director of the Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Disorders and Clinical Professor at Emory University Division of Plastic Surgery.

He has been in Atlanta for over 20 years where he and his wife have raised four children.

Chelsea Sommer, MS, CCC-SLP is a PhD student at the University of Utah and a bilingual English-Spanish speaking speech-language pathologist. She works with several nonprofit organizations to provide care for children with facial differences around the world. She enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her dog!

Kelsey Ireland grew up in a large family outside of St. Paul, Minnesota. From an early age she knew she wanted to make a difference in the world. She has dedicated her time towards organizations of all kinds. After coaching Special Olympics basketball for three years she quickly realized there was no better mission in life than to help children shine and manifest their full potential. She quickly knew the Magical Moments Foundation was home and where she was meant to be. As a mother, she can see her daughter in every beautiful boy and girl's smile that is involved with Magical Moments Foundation.