Operation Smile

Operation Smile is a medical volunteer organizationadditional education and skill development in each
founded in 1982. It is an international program withdoctor's specialty field. Since 1987, over 650 health
many other countries participating, and Dr. David R.care professionals have attended this program.
Broadway, a Denver plastic surgeon, is a teamIn-Country Mission Programs
member.Medical missions are conducted in twenty-five
It was founded by another plastic surgeon, Dr. Williamcountries where local Operation Smile Foundations
P. Magee Jr., and his wife Kathleen S. Magee, who is awork year-round. All funding is donated, and what is
nurse and clinical social worker. Operation Smile hasnot needed to cover surgical costs is given to local
provided facial surgery for children who wouldclinics, to help them become self-sustaining. The goal
otherwise have suffered through life with severeis to enable them to care for their own local children,
facial deformities harming both their health and theirproviding such services as:
mental and emotional well-being. The first such• Health consultations
surgery was done in the Philippines in 1982. Since• Dental consultations
then, over 100,000 children and young adults• Nutritional help
worldwide have been given this medical help.• Post-operative care
Dr. Broadway volunteers his time as part of a team• Speech therapy
of dedicated, credentialed medical professionals. To• Psychology consultations
date, there are several thousand health careAssistance From the World Care Program
professionals trained and taking part in this program.World Care is another volunteer organization which
Operation Smile currently has National Leadershiphelps children worldwide. It was founded in 1996 in
Circles and Global Resource Chapters in:Arizona, initially to help with education. It has since
• New York Citybranched out into other areas, one of which is health
• Los Angelescare. World Care sponsors children and young adults
• Hong Kongwith particularly severe medical needs, enabling them
• Rometo come to the United states for medical care. Since
• London1985, more than 150 children have been sponsored
These organizations raise funds and build awarenessand Operation Smile physicians have cared for them
to help support international programs.in this country.
Operation Smile CredentialingOperation Smile Student Associations
All volunteers must be credentialed by OperationOver 450 student associations have been formed in
Smile before going on any missions. Anyonethe U.S. and some other countries. Their mission is to
interested in becoming a volunteer can fill out a shortbuild awareness of the urgent need in many countries
form on their website, and they will mail a morefor medical care not locally available, and to raise
comprehensive form. They have been looking forfunds for it. They are also ways to educate young
trained volunteers in many fields, such as:people on the joy of helping children in need, and to
• Plastic surgeonshelp them develop qualities of leadership and
• Pediatricianscommitment.
• NursesWhere do Donations go?
• AnesthesiologistsThese life-enhancing medical procedures are paid for
• Dentistsentirely by donations. It costs Operation Smile about
• Orthodontists$250 per child to surgically correct facial deformities.
• Speech and Language PathologistsIncluding post-operative care, education of others
Operation Smile Physicians' Training Program (PTP)about the program, and activities in the twenty-five
Every year, the program headquarters in Norfolk,participating countries for raising awareness of the
Virginia, holds an advanced training program forprogram, the complete cost per child is about $750.
physicians from around the world. It provides