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

Earlier this month, a dedicated team of Operation Smile patient advocates visited Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to support the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA). This important legislation aims to ensure that all private insurance groups and individual health care plans cover medically necessary services for congenital conditions. While in D.C., our team participated in a training day at the advocacy conference hosted by the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED). The sessions offered valuable updates on research, strategies for effective communication with dentists, self-care tips, and Capitol Hill advocacy techniques. Attendees explored the bill's history, learned how to engage with Congress, and emphasized the significance of sharing personal patient stories. Following the training, over 250 delegates from the NFED Conference met with congressional offices. They shared heartfelt stories about their challenges in obtaining insurance coverage. These personal narratives, combined with the efforts of advocates and supporters nationwide, were pivotal in raising awareness and advancing this crucial legislation. Special thanks to Jackson Doane, Ethan Richlak, Amy Leah Potter, Ruben Ayala, Tiffany Boada, and all our patient advocates who attended. We also extend our gratitude to Representative Jen Kiggans and the congressional office staff we met. Together, we can drive change and ensure that this essential coverage is available for those who need it. #OperationSmile #EnsuringLastingSmilesAct #ELSA #HealthforAll 

Join us on July 30 at 2:00 PM UTC for an insightful Operation Smile Academy live #webinar featuring Dr. Oksana Mishler, RDH, MS, DHSc, Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, and Gabrielle Coltrane, Clinical Dental Hygiene Leader and dual BS/MS Program candidate. In this session, titled “Empowering Children with Oral Health Knowledge for Lasting Retention,” we’ll cover essential #oralhealth practices and the importance of establishing good oral health habits in children. The speakers will also introduce interactive education tools designed to enhance the retention of this knowledge. Register for the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/e6n2MyH6 Sign up for an Operation Smile Academy account to receive a certificate of attendance: https://lnkd.in/egH3ZCDh  

Did you know that July is National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month in several countries? This month highlights the critical need to raise awareness and addressing cleft and craniofacial conditions. At Operation Smile, we are dedicated to improving access to essential surgeries and #healthcare, starting with cleft surgery and comprehensive care. Every three minutes, a child is born with a cleft lip or cleft palate, facing significant challenges such as difficulties with eating, drinking, speaking, hearing, and social stigmatization. We are committed to providing the medical expertise, #training, #research, and care needed to enhance their quality of life. To learn more about cleft surgery and care, explore our Operation Smile Academy. This online platform offers valuable learning and mentorship to enhance the skills of cleft care professionals and improve their ability to treat #cleftconditions effectively. We invite you to watch one of our webinars, which provides valuable insights into cleft conditions and their connection to global surgery. The session covers the development and impact of cleft conditions, barriers to care, and how Operation Smile’s work integrate into the global surgery landscape. Discover how we address these challenges and advance cleft care and #globalhealth. Watch the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/ez7epi4s #OperationSmile #HealthforAll #NCCAPM 

We are incredibly grateful to Mindray for their generous donation of surgical devices to equip the new operating room at the Dr. Ary Pinheiro Base Hospital in Brazil. This contribution will enable the hospital to double the number of cleft surgeries performed annually, positively impacting the lives of many patients and their families.     Operation Smile is proud of our long-standing partnership with Mindray, a global leader in #healthcare solutions and technologies. Through this collaboration, we are enhancing local healthcare capacity and advancing sustainable solutions.     Thank you, Mindray, for your unwavering support and commitment to ensuring that every child has access to the care they need. Together, we can strengthen health systems and deliver life-changing care to communities worldwide.     #OperationSmile #GlobalHealth Mindray Brasil

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.