Operation Smile

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Operation Smile
Formation1982; 42 years ago (1982)
FoundersWilliam P. Magee Jr.
Kathleen S. Magee
TypeNonprofit
PurposeHumanitarian, Activism, and Education
HeadquartersVirginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
William P. Magee Jr.
Kathleen S. Magee
Websitewww.operationsmile.org

Operation Smile is a nonprofit medical service organization founded in 1982 by William P. Magee Jr. and his wife Kathleen (Kathy) S. Magee. It is headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

In addition to providing cleft lip and palate repair surgeries to children worldwide, Operation Smile works as the world's leading non-governmental organization on reducing the occurrence of cleft lips and palates worldwide.

Operation Smile has provided over 400,000 surgeries for children and young adults born with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities in over 60 countries since 1982, at no cost to the recipients.[1] As of 2022, Operation Smile provides on-going care around the world at 38 smile centers.[2] In 2022, Operation Smile conducted 151 surgical programs in 28 countries. Most of these programs were led by local medical volunteer teams operating under stringent safety protocols.

In the same year, Operation Smile provided approximately 40,000 patients with more than 151,000 specialty consultations, including surgical and comprehensive care services like dentistry, orthodontics, nutrition, speech therapy, and psychiatries.[3]

Early history[edit]

Chittagong, Bangladesh – Operation Smile team members aboard the Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19), perform a cleft lip surgery

Operation Smile was founded by William (Bill) and Kathleen (Kathy) Magee. In 1982 Bill Magee, a plastic surgeon, and Kathy Magee, who was then a social worker and a nurse, were invited to join a Philippine cleft repair mission with a group of medical volunteers.[4][5] When they realized that the group would not return to the Philippines though there were many remaining who needed surgery, they established Operation Smile, Bill Magee said,[4]

It was guilt ... We saw hundreds of children and saw many more turned away. We knew that this group was not planning to return. So we planned another trip, but when we saw how many people were suffering because of their facial deformities, we had to keep on going back. You can't help but be touched by things that we take as completely normal and all of a sudden become a monumental event in a child's life.

The Magee's completed two return trips to Naga City, treating 400 children.[6] In 1995, Operation Smile opened its first care center in Duitama, Colombia. After establishing headquarters in Norfolk, VA, Operation Smile began foundations in Australia, UK, Italy, Vietnam, and Ireland.[6]

Current operational history[edit]

As of 2024, Operation Smile conducts surgical programs in Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jordan, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Venezuela, and Vietnam.

The organization also has established foundations within Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and United States.[7]

Programs[edit]

Surgical missions[edit]

For each mission, Operation Smile verifies the credentials and organizes the participation and travel arrangements for a team of volunteers.[8] The team typically includes a mission site coordinator, plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, a pediatrician, an intensive care physician, head or coordinating nurse, pre- and post-op nurses, child development specialists, speech pathologists,[9] dentists and/or orthodontists.

Operation Smile has also hosted numerous global summits on medical standards in Norfolk, Virginia.[10][11]

Awards[edit]

In 1996, Operation Smile was the first recipient of the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize.[12] The Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize is the world’s largest annual humanitarian award presented to nonprofit organizations judged to have made extraordinary contributions toward alleviating human suffering.[13]

In 2001 a documentary on the work by Operation Smile won the Best Medical Documentary at the US Circle of Excellence Media Awards and was a finalist in the New York Film Festival Awards for Best Humanitarian Documentary. The Facemakers: Operation Smile is a co-production by BBC One and the Discovery Channel in conjunction with Century Films.[14]

Back in 2004, the organization was awarded The Humanitarian Rose Award from The People’s Princess Charitable Foundation, Inc., London, England.

In 2007, USAID presented the Magees with the President’s Call to Service Award from President George W. Bush. Also in 2007, UNICEF presented the co-founders of Operation Smile with a special recognition on behalf of the organization.

In November 2009, the NGO was given the National Medal for Peace and Friendship Among Nations in Vietnam.[15]

As of 2023, Operation Smile has been awarded over 50 Telly Awards for their excellence in video and television content across all screens in a variety of categories.[16]

In popular culture[edit]

  • In 2007 a multimedia art project highlighting Operation Smile's patients featured a seven-story sphere at South Street Seaport in New York, NY.[17]
  • Irish Actress Roma Downey has been an ambassador for the Virginia-based nonprofit Operation Smile for 20 years.[18]
  • Singer Mariah Carey volunteered for The Smile Collection fundraising event in New York in 2006.[19]
  • Operation Smile is referenced repeatedly on Bravo's teen reality show NYC Prep.[20]
  • In 2016, Kate Hudson accepted the Universal Smile Award for her long time support with Operation Smile.[21]
  • Actor Zachary Levi has accepted both the John Connor Humanitarian Service Award and Universal Smile Award from the NGO for his personal philanthropic efforts and for the support his organization Nerd HQ has provided Operation Smile.

Co-branding[edit]

  • In 2002, Operation Smile was featured in a Mr. Potato Head contest, with proceeds to benefit the NGO.[22] Hasbro donated Mr. Potato Head toys for Operation Smile missions.[23]
  • An ongoing co-branding campaign between Operation Smile and Sephora combines the NGO's name with the companies products.[24]
  • An ongoing co-branding campaign between Operation Smile and AriZona Iced Tea features the tea company's products.[25]
  • In February 2018, Operation Smile partnered with Lay’s potato chips.[26]
  • In March 2024, Operation Smile partnered with Mr. Beast to create a video on his secondary YouTube channel, Beast Philanthropy, to educate about cleft lip and palate and about the work of Operation Smile itself.[27][28] As of May 2024, Mr. Beast's YouTube video with Operation Smile has amassed 25 million views and raised more than $40,000 for cleft surgeries.

Headquarters relocation[edit]

In 2007, Operation Smile announced relocation of its headquarters from Norfolk, Virginia to a new building in Virginia Beach.[29]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Dr. Bill Magee - Operation Smile". Disruptor Awards. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
  2. ^ "2022 Annual Report | Operation Smile". www.operationsmile.org. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  3. ^ "2022 Annual Report | Operation Smile". www.operationsmile.org. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  4. ^ a b Proenza, Lydia Rose (July 18, 2002). "Dr. William P. Magee's Operation Smile: 20 Years Putting Smiles on People's Faces". Hour of Power. Archived from the original on July 18, 2002. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  5. ^ "Operation Smile Launches World Journey of Hope '99; Honduras is First Stop on Historic Surgical Mission to Help Children in 18 Countries". PR Newswire. February 4, 1999. Archived from the original on November 28, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  6. ^ a b "HISTORY". Retrieved 2019-03-26.
  7. ^ "Where We Work | Operation Smile". www.operationsmile.org. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  8. ^ "ODU Nursing Professor Travels to Bangladesh for medical diplomacy mission". Old Dominion University News. August 22, 2006. Archived from the original on August 30, 2006.
  9. ^ Ducote, Charlotte A. (December 11, 2001). "A Speech-Language Pathologist in Vietnam". American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Archived from the original on May 6, 2015.
  10. ^ "Operation Smile exports U.S. good will". The Virginian-Pilot. February 10, 2007. Archived from the original on May 8, 2009. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  11. ^ Simpson, Elizabeth (February 9, 2007). "Operation Smile to develop new care standards at local meeting". The Virginian-Pilot. Archived from the original on May 5, 2009. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  12. ^ "Operation Smile". Hilton Foundation. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  13. ^ "Hilton Humanitarian Prize". Hilton Foundation. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  14. ^ "The Facemakers". Century Films. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015.
  15. ^ "Dr. Bill Magee | Operation Smile". www.operationsmile.org. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  16. ^ "You searched for operation smile". Telly Awards. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  17. ^ "Microsoft Live / Operation Smile". Firstborn Multimedia. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  18. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (2016-08-11). "Roma Downey works miracles with Operation Smile". Variety. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
  19. ^ "Operation Smile Announces New Smile Ambassadors; Celebrities Continue To Join Effort Marking 25th Anniversary". TransWorldNews.com. October 12, 2007. Archived from the original on October 24, 2007.
  20. ^ Kinon, Cristina (July 22, 2009). "NYC Prep Mona Lisa Smile". New York Daily News.
  21. ^ Van-Syckle, Katie; Van-Syckle, Katie (2016-05-13). "Kate Hudson Honored by Operation Smile for Years of Support". Variety. Retrieved 2019-03-12.
  22. ^ Kaus, Danek S. (March 17, 2002). "Waiting for that winning smile to pay off? This spud's for you". Silicon Valley Business Journal. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  23. ^ "Hasbro supports Smiles". Playthings.com. July 17, 2007. Archived from the original on December 22, 2007. Retrieved February 13, 2008.
  24. ^ "Operation Smile/Sephora". Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-02-12.
  25. ^ Glowatz, Elana (July 21, 2009). "AriZona Gives Back with New Kidz Teas". www.adweek.com. Retrieved 2019-03-12.
  26. ^ Dworski, Brett (February 9, 2018). "Lay's Launches Operation Smile". CSP Daily News. Retrieved 2019-03-12.
  27. ^ 100 Kids Smile For The First Time. Retrieved 2024-05-01 – via www.youtube.com.
  28. ^ "MrBeast, Operation Smile and Cleft Palates". Angels in Medicine. 2024-03-13. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  29. ^ Quinn, Richard (October 11, 2007). "Operation Smile moving from Norfolk to new Beach building". The Virginian-Pilot. Archived from the original on May 8, 2009. Retrieved October 1, 2018.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Special:Search/Operation Smile.


Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Operation_Smile&oldid=1221629504"