OPERATION SMILE

'Operation Smile' is a private, not-for-profit volunteer medical services organization providing reconstructive surgery and related health care to indigent children and young adults in developing countries and the United States. It provides free cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries for children in the countries in which it works, along with training for health-care professionals to improve local capacity in partner countries. Singer Jessica Simpson helps to raise awareness of the group's efforts.[1], as well fledgling director Arden Wohl, has also been involved with fund raising activities.
The organization spent $13 million on fundraising and administration last year (see their financial statement, page seven http://operationsmile.org/docs/finance_2006.pdf).

Contents
Programs
Chapters & Foundations
U.S. Care Network
Education
Student Programs
Achievements
Controversy
Founders
References
See also
External link

Programs


Operation Smile coordinates more than 25 medical mission sites in 24 countries annually. In 2005, 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, and 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.
The International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC) is a big aspect of Operation Smile Student Programs. The 2006 ISLC was held at Weber State University in Utah, and the 2005 ISLC was held at William & Mary in Virginia. The 2007 ISLC will be held at the University of Limerick, and details can be found on the Operation Smile website.

Achievements



★ In 24 years, Operation Smile's volunteers have provided free reconstructive surgery to over 100,000 children and young adults in 30 countries and thousands of healthcare professionals have been trained globally.

★ Operation Smile received the first Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize to recognize outstanding contributions made to alleviate human suffering.

Controversy


November, 1999: Deaths of certain patients brought criticism on the medical practices of Operation Smile. At the time, Operation Smile was accused of valuing publicity and the number of surgeries over the welfare and safety of patients. [1] In response, Operation Smile immediately conducted an internal review, and four months later publicly admitted certain organizational flaws and promised to place greater emphasis on issues related to quality assurance and the standard of medicine to be practiced in the field.[2] By 2002, the organization had also established medical credential standards, helped improve medical monitoring of patients, and implemented tight quality and financial controls.[3]

Founders


William P. Magee Jr., D.D.S., M.D. founded Operation Smile in 1982 with his wife, Kathleen S. Magee, B.S.N., M.Ed., M.S.W.. Dr. Magee's salary was dropped from circa $250,000 a year to circa $145,000 a year recently. Dr. Magee serves as the organization's Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Magee serves as the president on a full-time, volunteer basis and is a lifetime member of the Board of Directors.

References


1. Abelson, Reed and Rosenthal, Elizabeth, "Charges of Shoddy Practices Taint Gifts of Plastic Surgery", ''New York Times, 25 November 1999
2. Abelson, Reed, "Charity Promises Sweeping Changes After Review", ''New York Times'', 12 April 2000
3. Simpson, Elizabeth, "Founder of International Medical Charity Gets Used to Role as CEO", ''Virginian-Pilot'', 30 December 2002

See also



The Smile Train

External link



Official Operation Smile website

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