Operation Smile

We are excited to announce a film produced for Operation Smile by BBC StoryWorks Works as part of the #BeyondTheCode series! Earlier this year, the BBC StoryWorks team filmed with us in Musanze, Rwanda, to capture how we are using AI technology to transform the surgical evaluation process for cleft conditions. This film highlights the life-changing impact of our work and demonstrates our commitment to advancing health equity through innovation. We are dedicated to creating sustainable solutions and driving innovations to ensure that all of our patients have access to the safe, high-quality care they deserve. A special thank you to everyone involved in this project, including Microsoft, Partnership on AI, University of Rwanda, Rwandan Ministry of Health, the Ruhengeri Hospital, and Musanze District for their support in making our work and this film possible. Watch the film and learn more about how AI is shaping the future of cleft care: https://lnkd.in/d37XXdqK #OperationSmile #ad #BeyondTheCode

We’re proud to congratulate the WFSA (World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists) on receiving the Robert L. Wears Patient Safety Leadership Award—a well-deserved recognition of their dedication to advancing #patientsafety worldwide.    Anesthesiologists play a critical role in patient care before, during, and after surgery. To expand access to safe anesthesia care, Operation Smile partners with WFSA, a global alliance dedicated to increasing the number of skilled anesthesiologists globally. Together, we are working to deliver WFSA SAFE training programs tailored to meet the specific needs of local communities, strengthening anesthesia services in low- and middle-income countries.      We’re grateful for our ongoing collaboration with WFSA and look forward to continuing to drive meaningful advances in patient care.    #OperationSmile #WFSA Kristine S. Daniela Filipescu 

Join us on May 16 at 7:00 PM EST at Bogart House in Brooklyn, NY, for ‘Celebrating Beauty that Inspires’, hosted by the NYC Alumni Board of Operation Smile. This unforgettable evening will feature Monica Bachue as she shares her powerful story of resilience and how it led her to create meaningful and thoughtful art. Alongside other special guests, we will celebrate the strength, courage, and beauty found in life’s challenges, inspiring us all to see the power in our own journeys. More than just an event, this evening is an opportunity to take action and make a difference. By attending, you’re helping Operation Smile change lives and create new smiles. Your support provides life-changing surgeries and comprehensive care for individuals with cleft conditions worldwide.  Get your tickets today and be part of this inspiring event! https://lnkd.in/e23uUpX6 

As we celebrate #WorldOralHealthDay on March 20, we celebrate the incredible efforts of Dr. Marius van der Walt, Head of the Department for General Dentistry at Rob Ferreira Tertiary Hospital in Nelspruit, South Africa. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. van der Walt has been a dedicated volunteer dentist for Operation Smile. His work in surgical and dental programs around the world speaks volumes about his commitment to improving lives. Marius also serves on the Medical Advisory Council for Operation Smile South Africa, advocating for dental health in broader health discussions. As an educator at the upcoming SSA Comprehensive Care Training in Cape Town from 24-27 March, he’ll be sharing his knowledge to inspire the next generation of dental professionals. His advocacy for oral health education, preventive care, and regular dental check-ups is aligned with the mission of World Oral Health Day: raising awareness about the importance of oral hygiene, healthy nutrition, and regular dental examinations.  #OperationSmile #365daysofcare #Healthforall #SSACCTraining 

Every photo tells a story—and thanks to Operation Smile's volunteer photographers, those stories come to life. Their work provides essential visuals that guide medical care, train health care professionals, and now, in collaboration with Microsoft, supports advancements in artificial intelligence to improve global cleft care. "Our Patient Imaging Technicians capture the essence of what we do—the joy, the transformation, and the hope that every surgery brings," says Ayo Adeniyi, Director of Patient Data and Medical Records at Operation Smile. "Their work doesn’t just document change; it helps drive change." In our recent article, we spotlight three long-time photographer volunteers who have spent years capturing the life-changing impact of our work. Their images tell the stories of our patients and inspire change. 📸 Read their stories and see their work here: https://lnkd.in/epaebp-U #OperationSmile #HealthforAll #HealthEquity

Join us later this week at #CSW69 on March 20 at the Church Center of the United Nations for a special side event hosted by Operation Smile, alongside ReSurge International, the Gender Equity Initiative in Global Surgery, and the American Medical Women's Association (AMWA). This year’s discussion, "Beijing at 30: Investing in Women to Build Access to Surgical Care," honors the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration—a landmark commitment to advancing the rights of women and girls.     This panel will examine how investing in key priorities outlined in the Beijing Declaration—such as education, health care access, and the engagement of women’s groups in national planning—can drive progress toward Global Surgery 2030. We will also explore how improving surgical access, particularly for underserved communities, accelerates these goals. Additionally, we will discuss how increased surgical access directly benefits women and girls, while investing in women within the health workforce strengthens systems and advances equity.     Our very own Women in Medicine Ambassador, Dr. Fetiya Awol, will address the participants with a keynote speech, while Dr. Elizabeth Coté, our VP of Global Medical Education, will moderate the panel. Speakers include Dr. Padmini Murthy MD , MPH , MS, FAMWA , FRSPH, Dr. Tereza Sigaud Soares Palmeira, Natalie Meyers, MPH, Dr. Prachi Patel, and Dr. Angie Galeas    Be part of this important conversation—RSVP today: https://lnkd.in/e9abMKUe

How much do you know about #cleftconditions? At Operation Smile, we're committed to closing the gap in access to essential surgeries, starting with cleft surgery and comprehensive care for children worldwide. Put your knowledge to the test with our quiz and discover how we're making a lasting impact on the lives of our patients and their communities. Become a #cleftcare champion today! https://lnkd.in/eMc48pXS #OperationSmile #HealthforAll

As we approach the 2025 SSA Comprehensive Care Regional Training in Cape Town, South Africa (March 24-27), we’re reminded of the importance of comprehensive care, continuous training, and community-driven #education in enhancing patient outcomes. This unique initiative brings together change-makers across multiple specialties to build collaborative care and improve #healthcare delivery at the grassroots level. By focusing on nutrition, speech, psychosocial care, and oral Health, Operation Smile aims to equip local health care providers with the skills and knowledge needed to implement an integrated care model, delivering high-quality health care closer to the communities we serve. Participants will benefit from specialty-focused #training sessions tailored to the specific needs of local health professionals. The program also emphasizes community building, offering opportunities for networking and collaboration to foster a strong, supportive network of health care providers. Through hands-on learning, participants will engage with real-world case studies, workshops, and practical activities designed to boost both competence and confidence.  By addressing the region’s unique challenges and patient needs, this training ensures lasting, meaningful impact. We are excited to train future leaders in comprehensive care who will shape the future of cleft care and health care across Africa. Learn more at operationsmile.org. #OperationSmile #365daysofcare #Healthforall #SSACCTraining

At Operation Smile, we are committed to strengthening local health care capacity through education and training. Featured in a film recently produced for us by BBC StoryWorks, our AI pilot tool is helping identify potential cleft surgeons who can serve as educators and mentors, expanding and sustaining local health care expertise. This innovative approach amplifies the impact of our volunteer network, creating a multiplier effect in training and education that benefits entire regions. By continuously building local health care capacity, we ensure that more families have access to the care they need—not just today, but for generations to come. Discover how we’re shaping the future of cleft care: https://lnkd.in/d37XXdqK #OperationSmile #BeyondTheCode

We are excited to share that our chief strategy and development officer, Kristie Magee Porcaro, recently authored an op-ed for Devex, highlighting the urgent need to expand access to safe, essential surgical care closer to home. Over 5 billion people lack access to surgical care, with the greatest challenges faced by those in low- and lower-middle-income countries. At Operation Smile, we are committed to closing this gap. Operation 100 is our blueprint for change—investing in specialized training and infrastructure to bring surgical care closer to home. As Kristie shares, “Together, with our partners and local medical volunteers, this is our moment to create a world where every patient has access to essential surgery, every community has trained providers, and every country has a stronger health care system.” In this piece, Kristie also reflects on our recent Pan-African Surgical Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, where we partnered with the Rwandan Ministry of Health, University of Rwanda, and the Rwanda Surgical Society. The conference convened over 550 experts from 36 countries to advance local solutions that expand surgical access and strengthen the surgical workforce. It’s through initiatives like this, along with strong investments in local training, leadership, and innovative solutions, that we are addressing the global surgical crisis. Operation 100 is just the start. Through continued partnerships, education, and training, we are working toward a future where safe surgery is within reach for all.  https://lnkd.in/eNvC-mfw