Operation Smile

Operation Smile and Beast Philanthropy Spotlight Global Need for Access to Surgical Care

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, February 25, 2024

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Feb. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global nonprofit Operation Smile today announced its partnership with Beast Philanthropy , the philanthropic arm of Mr.

Key Points: 
  • VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Feb. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global nonprofit Operation Smile today announced its partnership with Beast Philanthropy , the philanthropic arm of Mr.
  • Operation Smile bridges the gap in access to essential surgeries and health care by providing cleft surgery and comprehensive care, medical education and training, and long-term investments in strengthening local health systems and workforces.
  • The Beast Philanthropy team joined Operation Smile in Puebla, Mexico, to experience firsthand the organization's life-changing programs and the impact they have on patients, families and communities.
  • "I've been so unbelievably impressed with Operation Smile," said Darren Margolias, CEO of Beast Philanthropy.

Operation Smile and Beast Philanthropy Spotlight Global Need for Access to Surgical Care

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, February 25, 2024

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Feb. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global nonprofit Operation Smile today announced its partnership with Beast Philanthropy , the philanthropic arm of Mr.

Key Points: 
  • VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Feb. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global nonprofit Operation Smile today announced its partnership with Beast Philanthropy , the philanthropic arm of Mr.
  • Operation Smile bridges the gap in access to essential surgeries and health care by providing cleft surgery and comprehensive care, medical education and training, and long-term investments in strengthening local health systems and workforces.
  • The Beast Philanthropy team joined Operation Smile in Puebla, Mexico, to experience firsthand the organization's life-changing programs and the impact they have on patients, families and communities.
  • "I've been so unbelievably impressed with Operation Smile," said Darren Margolias, CEO of Beast Philanthropy.

Mindray and Operation Smile Begin 10-Year Partnership to Improve Healthcare for Vulnerable Communities

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 9, 2023

This solidifies a strategic partnership between the two organizations to collaborate on improving the quality of health care and providing life-changing medical interventions to low-and-middle income communities worldwide.

Key Points: 
  • This solidifies a strategic partnership between the two organizations to collaborate on improving the quality of health care and providing life-changing medical interventions to low-and-middle income communities worldwide.
  • As a globally trusted innovator in medical devices and solutions, Mindray brings cutting-edge technology and medical expertise to the collaboration.
  • In the future, Mindray will continue to prioritize sustainable development and support the initiatives of Operation Smile.
  • Through collaborations with more nonprofit organizations, the company aims to contribute to the advancement of the medical industry and explore a sustainable path of healthcare.

Operation Smile and Align Technology Announce Title Sponsorship of Operation Smile International Student Leadership Conference

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 21, 2023

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. and TEMPE, Ariz., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Operation Smile today announced that Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALGN) a leading global medical device company that designs, manufactures, and sells the Invisalign® system of clear aligners, iTero™ intraoral scanners, and exocad™ CAD/CAM software for digital orthodontics and restorative dentistry, is the 2023 title sponsor of Operation Smile's Student Programs' International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC), being held at El Pueblo resort in Lima, Peru, from July 17 through July 23, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Nisa Ardat, Align Technology scholarship recipient from Ghana said, "Align is doing so much, providing opportunities for us.
  • Align supports both Operation Smile's extensive surgical programs and Operation Smile's Student Programs, which aim to empower children and young adults to create a more compassionate world through education, service and leadership.
  • "Our partnership with Align Technology continues to change lives around the world," said Kristie Porcaro, Operation Smile's Chief Strategy Officer.
  • To learn more about Operation Smile's longtime partnership with Align Technology, click here .

South African Native Takes Fundraising to a New Level by Cycling the Entire Pacific Coast of the United States

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 29, 2023

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., June 29, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- At Operation Smile, individuals can choose to volunteer and get involved with its mission in myriad ways. The most notable form of volunteerism takes place during surgical programs where medical professionals from all over the world take time away from their busy lives and practices and participate in Operation Smile medical and surgical programs in low-and-middle income communities providing support to the local teams, trainings, safe surgery and comprehensive cleft care in communities with limited access to health care and resources. However, this form of volunteerism is also supported and celebrated by other volunteers who work to educate, spread awareness, and raise funds for Operation Smile.

Key Points: 
  • However, this form of volunteerism is also supported and celebrated by other volunteers who work to educate, spread awareness, and raise funds for Operation Smile.
  • Some volunteers even find creative and unconventional ways to support the organization, like Dan Meyer, a South African native who has taken fundraising to a new level by merging his passion for cycling with his love of helping others.
  • This journey, dubbed Smile Cycle began in Copenhagen Denmark, and ended in Rome, Italy, taking seven whole weeks to complete.
  • This time, Dan will be traveling the entire Pacific coast of the United States, starting at the Canadian border, and ending in Mexico.

Global Nonprofit Operation Smile Recognizes Nursing as its Bedrock During National Nurses Month

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 18, 2023

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., May 18, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Since its inception, as Operation Smile has developed and evolved its mission spanning over four decades, skilled nursing professionals have always been a vital element to the fabric of the organization. Operation Smile was founded in 1982 by Dr. Bill Magee, a plastic surgeon from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and his wife, Kathy Magee, a registered nurse. The couple built Operation Smile out of the need to treat cleft conditions in communities that lacked the necessary resources and nurses have been an integral part of this journey since the very beginning. This inspired what is now one of the world's largest medical volunteer-based nonprofits with over 6,000 medical volunteers helping to carry out Operation Smile's vision to create solutions that deliver safe surgery to people where it's needed most through the organization's expertise in treating cleft lip and cleft palate. Operation Smile volunteer nurses are also responsible for training their in-country counterparts, helping build local capacity and increasing access to health care for their patients.

Key Points: 
  • Operation Smile volunteer nurses are also responsible for training their in-country counterparts, helping build local capacity and increasing access to health care for their patients.
  • With a passion for the nursing profession, Kathy Magee wanted to ensure that nurses were a vital part of Operation Smile surgical programs.
  • When asked why she enjoys working with Operation Smile, Mamta expressed, "Operation Smile fosters a thriving educational platform to offer opportunities for nurses, anesthesiologists, and surgeons in several countries.
  • This National Nurses Month, Operation Smile expresses gratitude to the exuberant and dedicated volunteer nurses that provide love and support to the organization's patients and their families and to the in-country counterparts they work alongside during Operation Smile's surgical and education programs.

Operation Smile Highlights Dedicated Volunteers and Volunteer Programs During National Volunteer Month

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 26, 2023

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., April 26, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- April is National Volunteer Month, a perfect time to recognize the outstanding contributions volunteers make to nonprofits and celebrate their dedication to worthy causes. Global surgical nonprofit Operation Smile has expansive medical and student volunteer programs consisting of thousands of kind-hearted generous volunteers supporting the organization's mission to provide free cleft repair surgery and comprehensive care to individuals living in underserved communities around the world. For National Volunteer Month, Operation Smile recognizes a group of volunteers whose dedication to the cause and enthusiasm for helping others embodies the spirit of the organization.

Key Points: 
  • For National Volunteer Month, Operation Smile recognizes a group of volunteers whose dedication to the cause and enthusiasm for helping others embodies the spirit of the organization.
  • In the past year, Dr. Hoffmeister has expanded his volunteer duties by serving on the Operation Smile Champion Program in Guatemala.
  • At Operation Smile there are a multitude of ways to volunteer, from medical volunteers treating patients to student volunteers participating in service projects and hosting fundraisers.
  • This National Volunteer Month, Operation Smile encourages individuals to consider giving back to their communities or being of service to those in need.

Operation Smile Celebrates International Women's Day through #HealthEquityHeroes Social Media Campaign

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 8, 2023

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., March 8, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- International Women's Day, recognized each year on March 8, is a global day celebrating the achievements of women and marking a call to accelerate women's equality. This International Women's Day, Operation Smile is honoring the importance of health equity for women and what it means to empower women in medical leadership positions to inspire new generations of health care practitioners.

Key Points: 
  • Global surgical nonprofit Operation Smile launches social media campaign to help raise awareness of the importance of empowering women to achieve health equity.
  • This International Women's Day, Operation Smile is honoring the importance of health equity for women and what it means to empower women in medical leadership positions to inspire new generations of health care practitioners.
  • As part of this celebration, Operation Smile is launching # HealthEquityHeroes , a social media campaign to support the 2023 International Women's Day theme, #EmbraceEquity.
  • This campaign will invite women working in different areas like medicine, health, science, research, leadership, education, and more to join the organization in celebrating International Women's Day.

Community Hero Gives Back Globally Through Mentoring with Operation Smile

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 28, 2023

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Feb. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Sally Herman of Mesa, Arizona, is a first responder flight nurse transporting critically ill patients of all ages and conditions to special care facilities in the area. Her passion for her work drives her desire to open a nonprofit helping vulnerable pediatric and adolescent patients and professional first-responders through equine therapy and other psychotherapies. The inspiration behind Sally's nonprofit aspirations comes from Sally's work with global surgical nonprofit Operation Smile. Sally serves as a volunteer clinical coordinator, helping orchestrate the functions of Operation Smile surgical programs all over the world for nearly two decades. Her dedication to helping others moves beyond showing up to the clinic and performing her duties; Sally also mentors local nurses and clinical coordinators, so they are able to continue providing year-round care long after international volunteers like Sally return home.

Key Points: 
  • The inspiration behind Sally's nonprofit aspirations comes from Sally's work with global surgical nonprofit Operation Smile.
  • Sally serves as a volunteer clinical coordinator, helping orchestrate the functions of Operation Smile surgical programs all over the world for nearly two decades.
  • Throughout her time with Operation Smile Ghana, Sally stewarded Doreenlove's clinical coordinator training and observed how she handled the challenges of the position.
  • Through the influence of dedicated Operation Smile volunteers and Faustina's supportive father and other family members, she was able to travel to an Operation Smile Ghana surgical program and receive her life-changing cleft lip surgery.

Operation Smile Celebrates International Day of Acceptance with Patient Pedro from Venezuela

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 20, 2023

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Jan. 20, 2023  /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- International Day of Acceptance is observed every year on January 20 and is a day to remind us of the importance of being accepting, especially in the circumstance of accepting one's disability or physical difference. Every human has opinions, interests, rights, and goals and everyone should have the opportunity to express themselves without the hinderance of a disability or a difference. Today, global surgical nonprofit Operation Smile is active in over 35 countries helping families around the world feel accepted in their communities. In recognition of International Day of Acceptance, Operation Smile is highlighting a story about one of its most joyful and courageous patients, Pedro.

Key Points: 
  • This International Day of Acceptance, we celebrate Pedro, a brave patient who demonstrates the importance of being accepting of others.
  • In recognition of International Day of Acceptance, Operation Smile is highlighting a story about one of its most joyful and courageous patients, Pedro.
  • Today, Pedro is completely healed from his cleft repair surgery with Operation Smile and continues to receive speech therapy at Operation Smile comprehensive care centers.
  • Through sharing patient stories and bringing attention to cleft conditions, Operation Smile can shed a light on those with physical differences and celebrate their courage on this International Day of Acceptance.