Our History Our Beginning Operation Smile was founded by Dr. William P. Magee, a plastic surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen, a nurse and clinical social worker. In 1982, the Magees traveled to the Philippines with a group of medical volunteers to repair children's cleft lips and cleft palates. They discovered hundreds of children ravaged by deformities, and although they helped many children, the volunteers were forced to turn away the majority of those who sought help. The Magees saw the need and Operation Smile was born. Our Programs International Medical Missions Operation Smile coordinates more than 25 Medical Mission sites in 24 countries annually. Last year, medical volunteers provided free surgeries for 8,359 children through international and local, in-country medical missions. Operation Smile’s partner countries include: Bolivia • Brazil • Cambodia • China • Colombia • Ecuador • Egypt Ethiopia • Gaza Strip/West Bank • Honduras • India • Jordan • Kenya • Mexico • Morocco • Nicaragua • Panama • Paraguay • Peru • Philippines • Russia • Thailand • Venezuela • Vietnam Chapters & Foundations Operation Smile has Global Resource Chapters that raise funds and awareness to support its programs. Mission teams are hosted by International Foundations that are responsible for all in-country mission logistics and that also raise funds and awareness throughout the year. U.S. Care Network Operation Smile also provides a network of resources to assist families in the U.S. with children born with facial deformities. This network is accessed through the Operation Smile Web site and includes a listing of Referral Web Sites plus a Physicians Resource List with the names of doctors available to review a case. Education Operation Smile provides a framework for its partner countries to come together to share knowledge, technology and skills through the use of programs customized to each country’s specific medical infrastructure. University Partnerships offer Operation Smile medical volunteers training in advanced techniques and provide opportunities including fellowships, emeritus professorships and visiting professorship programs. Education Exchange programs are also offered through partnerships with leading medical teaching institutions. The annual Operation Smile Physicians’ Training Program (PTP) brings surgeons from around the world to the United States for training in specialized surgical skills. Student Programs More than 450 Operation Smile Student Associations in the United States and around the world build awareness, raise funds and educate students about the values of commitment, leadership and volunteerism. Our Achievements In 23 years, Operation Smile's volunteers have provided free reconstructive surgery to 98,000 children and young adults in 30 countries and thousands of healthcare professionals have been trained globally. 86% of cash and in-kind donations go directly to programs helping children. Operation Smile is able to leverage every $1 donated into $5 in program support. Operation Smile has been distinguished by many prestigious awards, including the first $1 million Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize to recognize outstanding contributions made to alleviate human suffering.

Quick Facts

Operation Smile, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, was founded in 1982 by Dr. William P. Magee Jr., a plastic surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen S. Magee, a nurse and clinical social worker. Operation Smile was launched with its first mission to the Philippines in 1982. Operation Smile currently supports international and local, in-country medical missions to 24 partner countries. Operation Smile volunteers have medically treated 98,000 children and young adults around the world and in the United States. Operation Smile has international Global Resource Chapters and U.S. Leadership Circles that raise funds and awareness to support international programs. Mission teams are hosted by International Foundations that are responsible for all in-country mission logistics and that also raise funds and awareness throughout the year. 86% of cash and in-kind donations go directly to programs helping children. Every $1 donated yields $5 more in additional program services. For $240 Operation Smile can change a child's life by giving the gift of a surgery. Revenue in excess of surgical costs are invested into our sustainability programs, empowering our partner countries to treat more children on their own and making your investment go even farther. The complete Operation Smile model is an investment of $750 per child. Operation Smile provides fellowships for qualified candidates from Operation Smile mission countries. Since 1992, 18 international physicians have participated in the fellowship program. The annual Operation Smile Physicians' Training Program (PTP) brings surgeons from around the world to the United States for training in specialized surgical skills. Since 1987, more than 600 health care professionals have attended PTP. The World Care Program brings children and young adults, through sponsorships, to the United States for surgeries that are too complicated to be performed during in-country missions. More than 450 Operation Smile Student Associations in the United States and around the world build awareness, raise funds and educate students about values of commitment, leadership and volunteerism.