Operation Smile

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Beast Philanthropy and to share their impactful video showcasing our work. Last November, the Beast Philanthropy team joined us in Puebla, Mexico and had the opportunity to experience our life-changing work firsthand, resulting in this beautiful video and sharing the transformative impact of Operation Smile’s work. We express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible support from Beast Philanthropy in raising awareness of our work. Together, we can make a lasting difference to create smiles and transform the lives of our patients, their communities and health systems. https://lnkd.in/eVBSZWRb #BeastPhilanthropySmiles

Join us on July 23 at 2:00 PM UTC for an enlightening Operation Smile Academy live #webinar featuring Dr. Nicole Shilkofski, M.D., M.Ed from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In this session, titled “Pediatric Emergencies and Complications in the Recovery Room/PACU Environment” we'll review case-based discussions of emergencies commonly encountered in the PACU and OR during surgical programs. Additionally, we will discuss crisis resource management principles and teamwork dynamics that are critical in handling acute emergencies. Register for the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/eJwBsDtd Sign up for an Operation Smile Academy account to receive a certificate of attendance: https://lnkd.in/egH3ZCDh

Next week, we are hosting our 2024 International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC) at Emory University from July 22-28! We’re excited to have Align Technology as the title sponsor of this transformative event, reinforcing our commitment to youth development through education, service, and leadership opportunities.     This #ISLC2024 will bring together over 300 student volunteers from more than 20 countries. These young leaders will develop their skills, support patients with cleft conditions, and connect with peers from around the globe. Align's generous support plays a crucial role in removing economic barriers for our student volunteers, ensuring that more individuals can attend this impactful event through the life-changing scholarships they provide.     Now in its 32nd year, the annual week-long conference continues to evolve and innovate to maximize its impact. We are grateful to Align Technology for their steadfast partnership in our surgical programs and their generous support of Operation Smile’s Student Programs as we strive to transform smiles and positively impact the lives of our patients and their communities.     We look forward to seeing the positive impact these young leaders will have in their communities and beyond. To learn more about this partnership and event, click here: https://lnkd.in/emjc8jXz    #OperationSmile #YouthEmpowerment 

Last week, we celebrated the retirement of plastic surgeon and Operation Smile volunteer Dr. Robert Russell during the 50th anniversary of plastic surgery at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, held from July 12-13. Our co-founder, president, and CEO, Kathy Magee, as well as our co-founder and CEO Emeritus, Dr. William P. Magee, Jr., DDS, MD, attended the event, commemorating Dr. Russell's career, sharing that “It was an honor to celebrate such an exceptional human being.” For almost 30 years, Dr. Russell has participated in numerous surgical programs across more than eight countries, traveling extensively to share his expertise and passion for helping others. His extensive service through our programs includes leadership roles and plastic surgery positions, showcasing his commitment to creating new smiles and making a difference in the lives of our patients worldwide. Dr. Russell's dedication is further exemplified by his commitment to teaching microsurgery in Vietnam, improving countless lives through his work. We are deeply grateful for Dr. Russell’s tireless service and unwavering commitment to our mission. His legacy of compassion and excellence will continue to inspire us. Thank you, Dr. Russell, for your incredible dedication and impact on our global community and thank you to SIU Medicine for hosting the event. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement! 

This July marks Align Technology's fourth year as the title sponsor of Operation Smile's International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC). ISLC gathers hundreds of Operation Smile student volunteers from close to 30 countries, who spend a week bettering themselves so they can help to improve the lives of our patients around the world. This year, Align Technology wanted more students to have access to this unique leadership opportunity. We thank Align Technology for making the life-changing opportunity more accessible for every student. Follow @osstudpro on Instagram for updates from ISLC 2024, hosted from July 22-28 at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. #OperationSmile #ISLC2024 #YouthEmpowerment

Recently, we attended the ECPCA Milan 2024 Conference from June 24 to 28. Led by ECPCA President and Scientific Director of our Cleft Lip and Palate Regional Center in Milan, Dr. Maria Costanza Meazzini di Seyssel, the conference provided a platform to share our latest research and innovations in cleft care. At the conference, we showcased our commitment to advancing #healthequity, starting with cleft surgery and comprehensive care. Our diverse team of over 20 representatives, including some of our Global Surgery Fellows, Health Policy and Advocacy Regional Leads, Regional Directors, Executive Directors, Surgical Training Managers and Business Development Officers, presented and discussed critical topics such as empowering women in medicine, addressing malnutrition in patients with cleft conditions, oral health strategies, and advancing surgical techniques and access. Additionally, our team conducted discussions on building local health capacity in low- and middle-income countries, expanding cleft care globally, and enhancing surgical programs through education and strategic innovations. Through our research, we aim to create a lasting impact by improving care for our patients and their communities, while also contributing knowledge that influences #healthsystems and policies within the #globalhealth and cleft research. We extend heartfelt thanks to #ECPCA, our presenters, and everyone who contributed to and participated in this successful event. This conference provided a great platform to showcase the impactful work we are doing at Operation Smile and to highlight our current research in the field. Thank you Alyssa Bautista, Shervin Etemad, Daniel David OTOBO (MD)., Jonathan Diaz, MS, Barbara Salazar, Irene Devine Dzirasa, Tatiana Morales, Abhishek Sengupta, Emily M. Jones, Luca Autelitano, David Chong, Patrik Boivie, Pedro Santiago, Greta Davis, MD, and Laura Herrera Gomez.

We are thrilled to be recognized in Baxter International Inc.'s annual Corporate Responsibility Report as a signature partner.  Through our #partnership, Baxter and Operation Smile are dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of our patients and their communities. Our joint efforts aim to support initiatives that bring comprehensive surgical care, education, and training to India, focusing on increasing access to safe, high-quality surgical care for people born with cleft conditions. We firmly believe in the transformative power of healthcare to create new smiles and foster a brighter, healthier future.  Thank you, Baxter, for your unwavering support and commitment to improving global #healthcare. Together, we are making significant strides in advancing access to care, building local health capacity and strengthening #healthsystems.     #OperationSmile #SafeSurgery #GlobalHealth #HealthforAll 

We are thrilled to welcome Carrie Bach as our new Vice President of Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the CEO at Operation Smile! Your expertise and #leadership are invaluable as we expand our global reach and strive towards achieving our strategic goals. We are excited to see our global family grow as we work to bridge the gap in access to essential surgeries and healthcare for our patients and their communities. Together, we will continue to make a lasting and positive #impact in the countries where we work! #OperationSmile #GlobalHealth

Join us on July 9 at 2:00 PM UTC for an enlightening Operation Smile Academy live #webinar featuring Dr. Tsion Firew, MD, MPH, an emergency physician, former assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, Columbia University and former advisor to the Federal Ministry of Health Ethiopia. In this session, we’ll discuss integrating emergency, critical care, and operative care for a healthier world. There will also be a Q&A opportunity with Dr. Firew at the end of the webinar. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills! Register for the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/eXGt8eJx Sign up for an Operation Smile Academy account to receive a certificate of attendance: https://lnkd.in/egH3ZCDh

Last month, Operation Smile in Madagascar hosted their inaugural #nursing training program from June 2 to 4 in Antananarivo. The program aimed to empower CRNAs, pre/post nurses, and OR nurses from four local hospital partners with the skills to deliver high-quality care during surgical programs. This initiative also prepared them to become future trainers in cleft-competency, fostering sustainability and local #healthcareleadership. Throughout the program, participants received mentoring and hands-on practice, emphasizing on-site training for practical skills application. The training featured focus groups and discussions on preparing future volunteers and #health workers for surgical programs, covering Operation Smile medical global standards and the Situation Background Assessment Recommendation framework. Additionally, CRNAs received specialized training on the WATO X-35 local anesthesia machine to enhance their anesthesia administration proficiency. Several key trainers who attended our SSA Nursing Conference in Addis Ababa earlier this year played a crucial role in shaping the program and preparing #nurses as future educators. We extend heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated participants, staff, and trainers whose collective efforts made this nursing program a success. This initiative marks a significant milestone in our mission to strengthen #healthcare capacity and improve surgical outcomes for individuals with cleft conditions. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of our patients and their communities, ensuring they receive the care and support they deserve.