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Dec. 18 Operation Smile World Journey of Smiles Homecoming Event
Dec. 17 Operation Smile Capitol Hill Briefing Dec. 13 Credit Unions “Climb For Kids” Raises Nearly $14,000 for Operation Smile Dec. 11 Victoria Jackson, teams up with Operation Smile to help children Dec. 1 Operation Smile Honors Anesthesia, Plastic Surgery and Pediatric Volunteers Nov. 27 ETHICON Named Corporate Smile Ambassador by Operation Smile Nov. 7 Microsoft Encourages the World to Share a Smile for Operation Smile's 25th Anniversary Oct. 4 Operation Smile to Construct its World Headquarters in Virginia Beach Sep. 14 OPERATION Rescue Kit Game Invites Kids to Help Spread Smiles Sep. 11 Operation Smile Joined U.S. Navy to Help Children in Latin America Aug. 17 Operation Smile Honduras Opens Operating Rooms in its Comprehensive Care Center Aug. 10 Lladró auctions “Queen of the Nile” Piece to Benefit Operation Smile Aug. 10 Students from Around the World Gather for Conference in Ireland Aug. 1 Ryan Seacrest Partners with Crest® and Scope® and Makes Donation to Operation Smile Jul. 16 Operation Smile 25th Anniversary Corporate Smile Ambassadors Jul. 16 Molly Sims, Justin Chatwin and Benj Gershman Join Operation Smile as 25th Anniversary Smile Ambassadors Jun. 20 Operation Smile Joins USNS Comfort as Part of Four-Month Latin American Deployment Jun. 18 Operation Smile Provides Surgery to Three Children as Part of World Care Program Jun. 15 Operation Smile Links with RacingThePlanet to Aid Children in Kashgar, China Jun. 4 Old Dominion University Becomes Operation Smile's Newest Partner Institution Jun. 1 Physicians and Nurses from 25 Countries Arrive in Norfolk for Operation Smile's Medical Education Conference May 28 - June 8 Jun. 1 Operation Smile Mission in Kenya Conducts Fourth Local Mission May. 10 Operation Smile Colombia Inaugurates Comprehensive Care Center Apr. 24 Critical Nursing Skills Training Program Being Conducted Around the World Apr. 21 Life Support Training in Mexico Apr. 14 Hasbro Supports Operation Smile Apr. 11 Operation Smile Celebrates National Volunteer Week With Volunteer Awards Ceremony April 25 Apr. 2 "Family Portrait Month" Winner Photographs an Operation Smile Mission Mar. 19 Comprehensive Care Center Opens in Vietnam Mar. 8 Operation Smile 25th Anniversary Honored with Congressional Resolution Feb. 19 Professional Photographers of America raise $40,000 for Operation Smile during "Family Portrait Month" Feb. 14 Operation Smile Announces 25th Anniversary "Smile Ambassadors" Feb. 12 Physicians from 25 Countries Meet in Norfolk to Adopt Global Standards of Care Jan. 25 Regional Biomedical Training Program in Honduras Provides Training and Promotes Self-Sufficiency Jan. 23 Thirty-three students complete Mission Training Workshop Jan. 1 Operation Smile Regional Director of Development Rings NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Bell Operation Smile World Journey of Smiles Homecoming EventOperation Smile marked the culmination of its 25th Anniversary and the World Journey of Smiles with a special reception hosted by His Excellency Wen Zhong Zhou at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China on December 6, 2007 in Washington, D.C. Nils Kastberg, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) presented Operation Smile Co-founders Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee with a special recognition award on behalf of his organization.
“The World Journey of Smiles became a landmark series of life changing operations in 25 countries that highlighted the breath and reach of Operation Smile,” said Kastberg. He recognized Operation Smile for its “strong and tireless commitment to bring smiles to the faces of children around the world.” Also in attendance were Ambassador of Paraguay James Spalding Hellmers; Ambassador of Colombia Maria Carolina Barco Isakson; Ambassador of Peru Felipe Ortiz de Zevallos; Mrs. Rose Oginga, the wife of the Ambassador of Kenya; Smt. Kalpana Sen, the wife of the Ambassador of India, as well as many other diplomatic leaders and corporate partners.
The crowd enjoyed a video about Operation Smile’s work and a singing performance by former Operation Smile patient Chadleen Lacdo-o, who traveled with her mother from the Philippines, to sing at the Washington, D.C. events. The evening also served as an opportunity to recognize long time friends and corporate supporters: Abbott Fund, The Boeing Company, Chevron, Covidien, Dental Health Group, and Occidental Petroleum Corporation.
Operation Smile Capitol Hill BriefingIn Washington, D.C., on December 6, 2007 Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill for Operation Smile. The briefing was held to highlight Operation Smile’s recently completed World Journey of Smiles and the significant public-private partnerships that make the organization’s humanitarian work possible.
In addition to comments from Senators Landrieu and Hatch, Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ); Henrietta Holsman Fore, Acting Administrator, United States Agency for International Development (USAID); Nils Kastberg, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); Rear Admiral Jim Stevenson, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command; Donald Trump Jr., Smile Ambassador; and Katherine Pickus, Vice President, Abbott Fund, spoke about Operation Smile’s global impact.
Henrietta Holsman Fore not only spoke about the importance of organizations like Operation Smile, but also awarded Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee with the President’s Call to Service Award, presented to recognize individuals who complete 4,000 or more hours of volunteer service over the course of their lifetime. This award is in recognition and appreciation of their commitment to strengthen our Nation and for making a difference through volunteer service. In addition to those who spoke, several other diplomatic and corporate leaders were in attendance.
To close the program, former patient Chadleen Lacdo-o, a 12-year-old who traveled with her mother from the Philippines, sang “The Journey,” demonstrating how the surgeries Operation Smile provides truly do change lives. Chadleen, who received surgery to repair her cleft palate in 1999, thanked Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee for allowing her the opportunity to pursue her dream of becoming a singer.
Credit Unions “Climb For Kids” Raises Nearly $14,000 for Operation SmileOn September 19, 2007 nine individuals from credit unions around the United States set out to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. Standing 19,340 feet above sea level, Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa and one of the Seven Summits of the world. The expedition reached the summit – Uhuru Peak – on the morning of September 24, 2007. The group was made up of employees, volunteers, and members of credit unions and credit union trade organizations. In conjunction with the climb, each of the nine climbers committed to personally raise $2,000 from friends and colleagues. Corporate contributions were also solicited from credit unions, credit union vendors and trade groups. The donations were collected on behalf of four charitable organizations and a local elementary school outside of Arusha – the staging point of the expedition. Operation Smile was one of the charities which benefited from the Climb For Kids receiving a donation of nearly $14,000. The members of the expedition express their deepest appreciation to all those who sponsored and contributed to the success of this endeavor.
Victoria Jackson, teams up with Operation Smile to help childrenPhilanthropist and beauty-maven, Victoria Jackson, announced that her company has teamed up with Operation Smile to help children with severe facial deformities gain access to life-altering surgeries. The goal of this joint venture with Victoria Jackson is to heighten awareness and raise the much-needed funds to support Operation Smile’s ongoing global efforts.
Having achieved success as a Hollywood makeup artist, cosmetics entrepreneur and TV infomercial pioneer, Victoria Jackson prefers to think of herself as "a goodwill ambassador for makeup." When women embrace self-confidence, she says, they learn the key to success, and liking who they see in the mirror is a powerful first step in that transformative process. "My personal philosophy has always been, ‘When you look better, you feel better. And when you feel better, you can change your life.’ This is why the program is so important. It will enable these amazing kids to reach their full potentials.” Jackson, who in the last dozen years has volunteered hundreds of hours at women's correctional facilities, hospitals and youth support venues, teaches inner confidence through outer beauty. Victoria Jackson representatives will be participating in charitable events worldwide to offer customers the opportunity to participate in a global program dedicated to bettering the lives of kids. Thanks to the generosity of Victoria Jackson, a program has been developed to offer a significant discount when purchasing her products. In addition, 5% of the suggested retail price of all Victoria Jackson Cosmetics which are sold at each of these events until November, 2008 will go directly to Operation Smile’s global efforts. The team at Victoria Jackson is extremely excited about the partnership with Operation Smile and looks forward to sharing their events and products with a SMILE.  Operation Smile Honors Anesthesia, Plastic Surgery and Pediatric VolunteersOperation Smile honored its volunteer anesthesiologists with a reception during the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) annual meeting on October 14, 2007 in San Francisco, California. During the event, Anesthesiologist Benjamin Hu was presented with the Dr. Lionel Glassman Award for excellence in anesthesiology by Operation Smile Anesthesia Council member Dr. George Politis. After attending medical school at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Dr. Hu completed his anesthesiology residency at the University of California, San Francisco. He currently works with Anesthesia Care Associates Medical Group. Dr. Hu’s first mission with Operation Smile was on the World Journey of Hope ‘99 where he served as an anesthesiologist in Kenya. Since that time, Dr. Hu has volunteered on more than 15 medical missions to countries such as Jordan, Peru, Morocco, India and Vietnam. Not only has he helped change the lives of so many children, he is kind and generous with his time, serving on as many as five medical missions in one year.
Dr. Lionel Glassman was a dedicated Operation Smile anesthesiologist who donated his time and talent for seven years, participating on medical missions to countries such as Bolivia, Gaza, Honduras, Kenya, Morocco, and Vietnam. Dr. Glassman joined Operation Smile as he neared retirement from a career that included 10 years as chief anesthesiologist and medical director at The SurgiCenter of Baltimore in Owings Mills, MD. Dr. Glassman passed away in November of 2004.
Dr. Oscar Sarmiento was honored by Operation Smile with the Dr. Stephen Pratt Award on October 28, 2007 at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. Presented by Operation Smile CEO and Co-founder Dr. Bill Magee, Jr., the award recognizes excellence in plastic surgery. In addition to serving as the Medical Director of Operation Smile Honduras since 2002, Dr. Sarmiento is a past president of the Honduran Plastic Surgery Association. He has participated on many medical missions in Honduras, and has, in addition traveled with Operation Smile to the Philippines in 1999 and Jordan in 2004. He was also instrumental in the opening of the Comprehensive Care Center in Tegucigalpa in 2006. Dr. Sarmiento is a plastic surgeon at a private practice in Honduras and works in Hospital Escuela. It has been said of Dr. Sarmiento that he has always been so giving, responsible and committed; he is a great surgeon and an even better human being. Dr. Stephen Pratt was a dedicated Operation Smile volunteer plastic surgeon who donated his time and talent for nearly 10 years, participating on medical missions in Venezuela, China, Russia, Jordan, Nicaragua and Bolivia. Pratt lived in Nashville, TN, and passed away in 2004 of a pulmonary embolism. Also on October 28, 2007, at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference & Exhibition in San Francisco, California, Operation Smile honored its dedicated pediatric volunteers. David Scott, a former mission coordinator for Operation Smile, presented the Operation Smile Award of Excellence in Pediatrics to his father Dr. Norman Scott, who has served on more than 20 medical missions around the world since 1986. Dr. Scott has traveled with Operation Smile to the Philippines, Kenya, Vietnam, Romania, Russia, Palestine, Ecuador, India, Russia, and Cambodia. He also participated in the 2007 partnership with the U.S. Navy to treat patients onboard the USNS Comfort. Dr. Scott has been a pediatrician for more than 30 years and is an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and a Child Health Clinic volunteer preceptor at the Children’s Hospital. Through his professional and volunteer work, Dr. Scott has touched countless lives around the world. ETHICON Named Corporate Smile Ambassador by Operation SmileOperation Smile has named ETHICON, INC, a global medical device company, among its Corporate Smile Ambassadors in recognition of the company's ongoing support of Operation Smile's efforts. ETHICON has supported Operation Smile for 25 years, donating wound closure products as well as products for use in surgical wound care and advanced wound care. In 2006, ETHICON employees produced and sold a holiday music CD entitled Brilliant Corners, the proceeds of which resulted in a donation of more than $10,000 for Operation Smile. The project involved more than 50 ETHICON employees at 10 locations around the world who created, produced and sold more than 1,000 copies of the CD to colleagues, friends and family members. Recently, two members of the ETHICON team, Kenny Cote, Business Process Management, and Karen Cassidy Holman, ETHICON Sales Rep from Tidewater, visited the Operation Smile Headquarters to tour the facility and volunteer their time to pack boxes for upcoming missions and assemble instrument sets for the Education department. "It was great to see the headquarters operation and everyone we met was very welcoming," Cote said. "We learned about the vision of the organization for the future and saw the dedication and passion that each and every member of the Operation Smile team shares. It was an inspiring day and I'm proud to be part of a company that supports this organization."
Microsoft Encourages the World to Share a Smile for Operation Smile's 25th AnniversaryIn celebration of Operation Smile’s 25th Anniversary and the global launch of Microsoft’s Windows Live product suite, Microsoft is partnering with Operation Smile to help change children’s lives, one smile at a time. ) Microsoft is inviting its Windows Live community of users, which is over 400 million strong, to visit www.windowslive.com/smile and upload pictures of their smiles. Each photograph may be featured on the website and the more photos of smiling people shared using Windows Live, the more money Microsoft will donate to Operation Smile.
To kick off this partnership, a visual spectacular was unveiled Nov. 6th in New York City – a 65 foot tall sphere with a montage of smiles. Using four Imax-style projectors and thousands of pictures of smile photographs submitted at windowslive.com, Microsoft created a fitting tribute to Operation’s Smile 25 years.
People in Los Angeles and New York could also participate in the smile-sharing, in person, for two days(November 6th & 7th) at the Hollywood & Highland Center in LA and South Street Seaport in New York. Both sites included futuristic photo booths, cutting-edge visuals and interactive ways for people to share their smiles for a great cause.
Lending their support to the cause, Operation Smile ambassadors Donald and Vanessa Trump Jr., Billy Bush and Benj Gershman kicked off proceedings in New York City, encouraging the public to share a smile and help a child in need. Windows Live is about connecting people, making communication easier and sharing photos and personal experiences, which includes sharing smiles. On November 6, Microsoft launched its Windows Live suite of services, which includes Windows Live Hotmail, Messenger and Windows Live Spaces along with new, great photo sharing capabilities with this “smiling sharing” campaign with Operation Smile.” With Microsoft, we are collecting and sharing photos of smiles with people around the world at www.windowslive.com. Operation Smile to Construct its World Headquarters in Virginia BeachOn October 4, Operation Smile announced plans to construct its World Headquarters off Rosemont Road in Virginia Beach. The facility will be located adjacent to the Virginia Beach campus of Tidewater Community College in Princess Anne Commons.
“This is an ideal location for Operation Smile,” said Wayne Zinn, Chief Operating Officer/Chief Information Officer for the organization, whose headquarters are currently located on Tidewater Drive in Norfolk. “It affords us room for multiple activities, including administration, international programs, development, communications, information technology, logistics and materials management. We also foresee many collaborative partnerships because of how close we’ll be to Tidewater Community College and its new Health Professions Center, the proposed joint city-TCC library, the Old Dominion University/Norfolk State University Higher Education Center, the Advanced Technology Center, LifeNet and Sentara’s Princess Anne health care complex.”
Dr. Bill Magee, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Operation Smile has been privileged to call the Hampton Roads community our home for 25 years. Now, with this opportunity to build a world headquarters in Virginia Beach, we can embark on the next 25 years and renew our promise to help all the world’s children.” )
“Having Operation Smile join LifeNet, Sentara, ODU, NSU and TCC along with other academic institutions in Princess Anne Commons will be a boon to the city and the entire region, as well as to future health care around the world,” said Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf. “Co-founders Bill and Kathy Magee and the thousands of Operation Smile volunteers have made a tremendous difference in the lives of children, their families and their communities around the world. Virginia Beach will be proud to have such a visionary organization in our city.”
Virginia Beach Chief Development Officer Steve Herbert echoed the mayor, adding that Princess Anne Commons is maturing from many different perspectives, including education and the health sciences. “The commons is a great asset for the community and becoming more so all the time,” he said. “The synergistic potential for the health care groups and academic institutions in this area is certainly promising.”
The 65,000-square-foot building, which will also serve as Operation Smile’s International Resource Center, will include the charity’s administrative offices as well as classrooms and other spaces for the training and hosting of visiting medical professionals, international business leaders, diplomats and students. At the center, as well as in local hospitals and other medical settings, they will learn and share the latest surgical techniques along with advanced training in volunteer programs, fund raising, communications and financial management skills. Operation Smile will also use the advanced communications technology in the area to link its training programs with clinics and hospitals in its partner countries around the globe. Ground breaking is tentatively scheduled for spring 2008 with occupancy in early 2010. “To be socially responsible, our structure will be ‘green’ in every respect,” added Zinn, “meaning it will be built with recycled materials and will be environmentally friendly and energy efficient.” OPERATION Rescue Kit Game Invites Kids to Help Spread SmilesOPERATION Rescue Kit game is a new version of the game that challenges would-be surgeons to use their steady hands and skills to remove new ailments such as "joystick wrist", "texting thumb" or "belly button fluff." The game, which is now four games in one, has multiple skill levels, and an additional requirement to keep the patient alive during surgery – the oxygen pump! )
In commemoration of the launch of OPERATION Rescue Kit game, Hasbro has pledged a donation to Operation Smile to recognize their 25th Anniversary of changing the lives of children all over the world – one smile at a time. The amount of the donation will be based on the support of kids across the country as they show off their surgery skills to save America's favorite patient, Cavity Sam. Beginning in September, kids will have the opportunity to "save" a virtual patient online by visiting www.operation.com and clicking on the oxygen pump, which is a new feature of the OPERATION Rescue Kit game. For every click, Hasbro will increase its donation to Operation Smile by 25 cents in honor of Operation Smile’s 25th Anniversary (up to a maximum donation of $75,000).
In addition, families are invited to attend OPERATION Rescue Kit game "Mobile Rescue Unit" events in ten cities across the country. At the events, kids will have the opportunity to play the new game, meet local celebrities, and assist Dr. Funny Bone, the hilarious and skillful doctor of the game. Each person who visits the events will be invited to press a giant oxygen pump to increase the donation to OPERATION SMILE by 25 cents. Visit www.operation.com for locations and dates of the events. "Hasbro Games is excited to help Operation Smile celebrate their 25th Anniversary by bringing new smiles to children across the globe," said Wanda Sanchez-Miller, Senior Marketing Manager of Hasbro Games. "We hope that giving kids the opportunity to increase the donation to Operation Smile will give them a reason to smile and also foster an appreciation for the reward of helping others." OPERATION Rescue Kit game will be available at mass merchandise retail location this Fall for the suggested retail price of $24.99.
Operation Smile Joined U.S. Navy to Help Children in Latin AmericaOperation Smile joined the United States Navy’s hospital ship, USNS Comfort, during its summer 2007 humanitarian assistance deployment. In June, USNS Comfort began its 120-day deployment to provide humanitarian services to 12 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Operation Smile worked with the Navy in Nicaragua, Peru and Colombia.
"Planning for this mission has incorporated various non-government organizations and government agencies, such as Operation Smile, Project Hope, the Atlanta Rotary Club, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Health and Human Services. This is truly a joint military/civilian operation," said Capt. Bob Kapcio, Comfort's mission commander.
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The first mission stop involving Operation Smile was in Corinto, Nicaragua, July 18-25. Free medical evaluations were conducted in Chinandega by Operation Smile volunteers at Hospital Espana to identify surgical patients who were then transported aboard the ship. Operation Smile medical volunteers worked side-by-side with Navy personnel and conducted three days of surgery, helping 30 children.
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In Salaverry, Peru, from August 6-13, Operation Smile volunteers provided free medical evaluations at Hospital Belen to identify surgical patients. The ship was anchored offshore and the Peruvian Navy and Coast Guard transported patients to the ship and back. Operation Smile’s medical team worked with Navy personnel and provided 24 children with surgery.
From August 22-28 while USNS Comfort was in Bueanaventura, Colombia, Operation Smile medical volunteers from Colombia worked at Hospital Departamental de Buenaventura and provided 95 free medical evaluations and two days of surgery to 53 children. This is the second time Operation Smile has been invited to participate in a Navy hospital ship mission. The first mission took place June 28-July 5, 2006, and involved nearly 40 Operation Smile volunteers deployed with the U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy to Chittagong, Bangladesh. The Operation Smile international team provided free medical evaluations at Chittagong Medical College Hospital for more than 140 children and treated 54 onboard USNS Mercy. Operation Smile Honduras Opens Operating Rooms in its Comprehensive Care CenterOperation Smile Honduras opened the operating rooms of its Comprehensive Care Center with a ceremony on August 16, 2007 in Tegucigalpa. The morning press conference and evening ribbon cutting ceremony were each attended by nearly 100 people including Operation Smile Honduras Medical Director Dr. Oscar Sarmiento, Operation Smile Honduras Executive Director Giannina Güell, Operation Smile Co-founder and CEO Dr. Bill Magee, Operation Smile Senior Advisor for Latin America Beth Marshall, volunteers and Board Members. With the opening of the two operating rooms, recovery room and sterilization room, the Operation Smile Honduras Center is now able to provide surgeries year-round to children who are suffering from cleft lips and cleft palates, in addition to the international medical missions. The Operation Smile Honduras Center is one of seven new centers to be opened this year which are projected to help increase that number to 20,000 patients per year by 2008, as well as an estimated 400% increase to 40,000 by the year 2010. )
Giannina Güell thanked everyone for their efforts in making the day a reality. She expressed how much Operation Smile Honduras has grown in its 10 years, now conducting local missions and opening the Center. Güell said. "The Center allows for comprehensive care, not just surgery. Thanks to the new operating rooms, these children will not have to wait for the next medical mission."
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Yamileth Castillo, a local mother whose daughter was treated by Operation Smile Honduras, shared her family's personal story. Her daughter, Andrea, was born with a cleft lip and cleft palate. Yamileth explained that while she was never ashamed of her child, Operation Smile has forever changed their lives. As tears came down her face, she said, "Thanks to speech therapy from Operation Smile, my daughter can now communicate with others, go to school, and be a part of society, without being stared at or made fun of." Her speech moved the audience to tears and they clapped when Andrea walked to the podium to stand by her mother.
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Dario Estevez, Operation Smile Honduras Vice President, spoke about the dedication and hearts of the Honduran volunteers and their desire to strive for excellence. He said, "We decided we needed to help more and create a clinic to provide total care including speech, dental, and psychology treatment." He added, "The image we dreamed has turned into a reality."
Ana Kafie, long time Operation Smile Honduras volunteer and Board Member, explained that Operation Smile is more than an organization to her, it is an addiction. "It defines what hope is for these parents and their children," she said. Operation Smile Senior Executive Advisor for Latin America Beth Marshall was instrumental in establishing Operation Smile Honduras in 1997 and expressed her pride in the foundation's accomplishments. )
Operation Smile Co-founder and CEO Dr. Magee told the audience, "Knowledge and science are important, of course. But they have no heart. No amount of science will nurture our spirit." He also spoke about the importance of the new operating rooms saying, "There are thousands of children who await you; thousands of parents who are afraid right now. There is no reason for a child to live anywhere with a problem that we can solve."
A local drama club, Groupo Grito, performed a skit entitled, "What Would You Feel?" Individuals dressed in black represented people who make fun of children born with facial deformities. But then a clown appeared and brought a message of hope and happiness from Operation Smile. Current Operation Smile patients appeared, threw confetti at the crowd and yelled, "Thank you for helping us." During the press conference, the President of a local bank, Banco Ficohsa, presented Dr. Magee with a glass sculpture to thank Operation Smile for all the work it has done to help the children of Honduras. The bank is a supporter of Operation Smile Honduras and its medical missions. The Center in Honduras has been open since February 17, 2006, providing speech therapy, psychological treatment, nutritional and surgery consultations and dental care. The Center is the result of much effort and support provided by professionals, private groups, contributors, volunteers, and the participation of patients and their families. Lladró auctions “Queen of the Nile” Piece to Benefit Operation SmileLladró hosted a gala reception at the Beverly Hills Lladró Boutique on May 24, 2007, to unveil the new High Porcelain collection, consisting exclusively of limited edition pieces exemplifying the beauty and technical perfection synonymous with the Lladró name. The highlight of the collection is the "Queen of the Nile," a spectacular 152 centimeters long composition, recreating the dazzling look of an Egyptian boat. In it, Nefertari, Great Royal Wife of Ramses II, together with her children and entourage, journeys down the Nile with all the sumptuousness of the imperial court. Retailing for $135,000, the piece took five years to develop, 400 hours to paint, and 150 hours to assemble. The complex creation is brought to life by 12 characters creating a number of lively scenes. Lladró is auctioning off the "Queen of the Nile" piece. If you’d like to own this masterpiece, call the Beverly Hills Boutique Director Catherine Kiek at 310-385-0690. The starting bid is $60,000 (bid increments of $1,000). All proceeds over $60,000 will be donated to Operation Smile. Bidding ends October 1, 2007.
Students from Around the World Gather for Conference in IrelandHundreds of students from high schools and colleges around the world met at the University of Limerick in Limerick, Ireland, to develop leadership skills as well as an increased understanding of how to help children suffering with facial deformities. This conference has two distinct programs, the Mission Training Workshop, from July 27-29, and the International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC), from July 30-August 3, both of which encourage students to embrace a lifetime of volunteerism at home and in the global community. )
Forty-two students from 11 United States, Ireland, Paraguay and South Africa participated in the Mission Training Workshop, which trains students to effectively teach basic health care presentations to families and patients during Operation Smile international medical missions. The majority of the students trained will participate on international medical missions taking place in November 2007 during Operation Smile's World Journey of Smiles.
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Nearly 400 students from 20 United States and 15 other countries participated in the ISLC. The conference offers students an overview of Operation Smile's work around the world and teaches them how to be leaders, learning confidence, public speaking, fund-raising, and club organization. Highlights included hearing from Paul Gleeson, who was voted "Limerick Man of the Year" for rowing a boat across the Atlantic and former Irish Ambassador to Thailand Dan Mulhall who served during the 2004 tsunami disaster in Asia. Additionally, participants were inspired to action by renowned motivational speakers Robert Pruitt and Dan Clark.
Ryan Seacrest Partners with Crest® and Scope® and Makes Donation to Operation SmileTelevision broadcaster Ryan Seacrest, best known as host of FOX's #1 hit show, "American Idol," has signed a yearlong deal with Crest and Scope. The partnership includes print and broadcast advertising, an interactive campaign, in-store promotions and public relations appearances. This fall, there will be a chance for consumers to tap into Ryan's confidence through new Crest and Scope products and a consumer contest that puts a lucky consumer and her friends in the spotlight. )
In addition, Crest, Scope and Ryan are working together to raise awareness for one of Ryan’s favorite charities. Sharing the belief that children worldwide should benefit from the confidence of having a healthy, beautiful smile, Crest and Scope will match Ryan's personal donation to Operation Smile. "Signing onto be the spokesperson for Crest and Scope was a perfect way for my work persona to fulfill a philanthropic need. Fresh breath and a white smile are important factors in my confidence whenever I have to step onstage," says Seacrest. "There are children in many countries who are born with mouth deformities and have no access to simple dental hygiene that have never been able to experience that same level of assurance."
"When I was traveling in Africa, I was able to see first hand the need for an organization such as Operation Smile, that works with these types of children providing dental and medical assistance, and I immediately wanted get involved. I'm thrilled that Crest and Scope share my enthusiasm about the importance of spreading smiles to children worldwide and will match my donation, making it possible for us to raise awareness for this cause together," says Seacrest. Crest, which is owned and distributed by Procter & Gamble, is a trusted leader in oral health and was the first oral care brand to secure the ADA Seal of Acceptance for a clinically proven fluoride toothpaste. Scope mouthwash kills millions of bad-breath germs and keeps the mouth feeling clean and refreshed. Operation Smile 25th Anniversary Corporate Smile AmbassadorsCorporate Giving That Transforms Lives Operation Smile has grown into a worldwide children's medical charity that has touched the lives of more than 100,000 children across the globe, thanks to a very dedicated group of volunteers and sponsors. Operation Smile's Corporate Smile Ambassadors have pledged support of $100,000 or more for Operation Smile's 25th Anniversary, providing both financial and in-kind support that will help make the World Journey of Smiles possible. Operation Smile's 25th Anniversary Corporate Smile Ambassadors have each pledged more than $100,000 in donations or in-kind support as of May 15, 2007. Corporate Smile Ambassadors share a commitment to children and to raising the standard of living for all children, no matter where they are born or raised. The list of Corporate Smile Ambassadors includes: Abbott Fund; AriZona Beverage Co.; The Atlantic Philanthropies; Becton, Dickinson and Company; Cardinal Health Foundation; Citigroup Foundation; CONMED Corporation; Datascope; ETHICON, Inc.; Financial Times; Hasbro Children’s Fund; Johnson & Johnson; King Systems Corporation; Lladró; Mallinckrodt, Inc.; McNeil Consumer Products and Specialty Pharmaceuticals; Molnlycke Health Care; Stryker; and SwimWays. Many of Operation Smile's corporate partners have developed unique cause marketing campaigns that not only raise needed funds but help spread awareness of the vital work Operation Smile does globally. The following list identifies some of the ways these corporations have elected to help: • Abbott Fund ─ Since 1993, Abbott Fund and Abbott have donated more than $3 million in products and in-kind donations and more than $300,000 in cash donations to support Operation Smile and its work around the world. In-kind donations include provision of sevoflurane, their anesthesia product used in all Operation Smiles' international medical missions, and key medical equipment such as IV fluids and catheters, pediatric medical equipment and pharmaceuticals that are used in cleft lip and cleft palate surgery. Through Abbott Fund's support, Operation Smile's Pediatric Advanced Life Support/Acute Cardiac Life Support program has been able to train more than 500 medical professionals in critical life-saving techniques and purchase needed training equipment. • AriZona Beverages ─ In August 2006, AriZona Beverage Company announced a new cause marketing program to support Operation Smile, donating 5% of the net sales of its best-selling Lemon Tea, Green Tea and Sweet Tea to raise awareness and funds for the organization. As part of the partnership, AriZona launched new 34 oz. bottles for the brands, updating the original iconic packages and labels with Operation Smile branded messaging and imagery. • The Atlantic Philanthropies (USA) INC. ─ The Atlantic Philanthropies is the lead sponsor of World Journey of Smiles, Operation Smile’s initiative planned to help an estimated 5,000 children in 25 countries in November 2007. Their generous gift of $6 million made in January 2007 allowed Operation Smile to formally launch the nearly year-long preparation process for World Journey, by providing the funds needed to purchase vital medical equipment and supplies for the 40 planned sites. • Cardinal Health Foundation – Cardinal Health and the Cardinal Health Foundation have provided significant in-kind and cash support for the past three years, including donations of latex gloves and funding to help purchase IT software and other equipment. Thanks to a $300,000 commitment in 2004 by the Cardinal Health Foundation (payable over three years), Operation Smile was able to invest in a new advanced technology system enabling the organization to migrate, integrate, and upgrade our existing donor database, accounting systems and logistics programs. Recently, the Foundation pledged an additional $300,000 for new hardware and software to help Operation Smile maintain its electronic medical records, medical volunteer credentialing database, video teleconferencing system and network security. • ETHICON, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson Company ─ ETHICON, Inc., a global medical device company, has been a worldwide leader in surgical sutures, or stitches, for more than 100 years. Known for developing quality products, ETHICON has been a strong supporter of Operation Smile’s commitment to changing the lives of children and young adults since 1982. ETHICON has contributed over $6 million in medical supplies, including sutures. For Operation Smile’s World Journey of Smiles, they have agreed to donate, along with other Johnson & Johnson companies such as McNeil Consumer Products & Specialty Pharmaceuticals and other healthcare companies such as Nellcor and Mallinckrodt, much needed medical supplies to support the 40 simultaneous medical missions. • Financial Times ─ Since 2005, The Financial Times, one of the world's premier financial publications, has been a supporter of Operation Smile through donated public service advertising space. Operation Smile informational ads appear weekly with a total value of more than $2 million in donated ad space in its U.S., U.K. and Asia regions. • Hasbro Children's Fund ─ In April 2006, Hasbro Children's Fund, the charitable giving program of Hasbro, Inc., selected Operation Smile to receive $450,000 over three years. Additionally, the toy company produced and donated 50,000 Mr. Potato Head plush toys, with a market value of $250,000, to be given to each child who comes for a medical screening at all mission sites during Operation Smile's World Journey of Smiles and beyond. • Lladró ─ Lladró, the renowned Spanish House of Porcelain, launched a national campaign in 2006 designed to raise funds and awareness for Operation Smile and its 25th Anniversary. The campaign featured the introduction of a timeless porcelain sculpture entitled, "Let Me Help You," which was made available at Lladró authorized retailers across the country. Lladró donated 10% of the retail price of nationwide sales of the sculpture. This $150,000 commitment marked the company's largest U.S. charity partnership in its 50-year history and was so successful that the company has launched a second year campaign, featuring its "Pulse of Africa" collection, with a goal to raise up to $200,000. • SwimWays ─ SwimWays, a leading manufacturer of outdoor recreational products, believes that if a dolphin can smile, so should every child in the world. Beginning in January 2007, SwimWays’ Swim Steps products – a line of swim aids for children ages 9 months to 9 years – hit retail shelves in new packaging that highlights Operation Smile's life-changing humanitarian work. SwimWays is donating 2% of the gross sales of all Swim Steps and Safe T. Seal products directly to Operation Smile, and recently presented the organization with a check for $155,000. Molly Sims, Justin Chatwin and Benj Gershman Join Operation Smile as 25th Anniversary Smile AmbassadorsActress and model Molly Sims, musician Benj Gershman and Canadian-born actor Justin Chatwin joined an Operation Smile medical team on an international medical mission to Lima, Peru, to assist children born with facial deformities. The mission, which took place May 24-June 1, included a team of more than 40 medical and non-medical volunteers. As new celebrity Smile Ambassadors, Sims, Gershman and Chatwin join a growing roster of artists and celebrities helping to raise awareness of the work Operation Smile does to treat children around the world suffering with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. While in Peru, the three new Ambassadors participated in all team activities, played with waiting children, took patient photos and assisted with medical records. The team even celebrated Molly Sims’ birthday which took place during the mission. )
Actress and model Molly Sims, best known for her role on the popular TV show Las Vegas, co-hosted Operation Smile's The Smile Collection fund-raising gala in New York alongside Access Hollywood co-anchor and Operation Smile Board of Governors member Billy Bush in 2006. She spoke about her recent trip to Peru on behalf of Operation Smile. "These kinds of experiences in life are not easily come by. We thank Operation Smile for enriching our lives and showing us a new frontier. Operation Smile volunteers are wonderful, beautiful people that change children's lives," noted Sims. "This experience with Operation Smile in Peru touched our hearts and made us realize how truly lucky we are, and how lucky these people are to have Operation Smile in their lives," she added.
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Musician Benj Gershman, the bassist for the popular American rock band O.A.R., also traveled to Peru and noted of his experience, “It is amazing what people will do for others when motivated by the right reasons. I'm grateful for the opportunity to support Operation Smile during its 25th Anniversary, as the organization enters into a new era in changing children’s lives."
The Smile Ambassadors are selected based on their commitment to global philanthropy and a willingness to speak out on behalf of children. Their visibility and passion will be harnessed to bring large-scale awareness to the needs of children worldwide throughout the organization’s 25th Anniversary efforts. Operation Smile Joins USNS Comfort as Part of Four-Month Latin American DeploymentOperation Smile will join the United States Navy's hospital ship, USNS Comfort, during its summer 2007 humanitarian assistance deployment. The USNS Comfort mission will provide humanitarian services to 12 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean during a 120-day deployment. These services will include basic surgeries, nursing educational opportunities, public health interventions, veterinary services, and basic infrastructure support and construction.
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Operation Smile will be working side-by-side with the Navy in three countries: Nicaragua, Peru and Colombia. The Operation Smile volunteer medical teams will be comprised of international volunteers in both Nicaragua and Peru, while a team of Operation Smile Colombian medical volunteers will conduct a medical mission in a Buenaventura local hospital. Approximately 125-150 children suffering with cleft lips and cleft palates will receive free reconstructive surgery as a result of these three medical missions.
Operation Smile Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rob Rubin said, "Operation Smile is honored to participate in the USNS Comfort's deployment to Latin America and the Caribbean Sea region. Following our successful participation with Comfort's sister ship, USNS Mercy, in the Pacific last year, we along with our medical volunteers from Nicaragua, Peru and Colombia are excited to join with the Comfort's crew in bringing new smiles to the children of Latin America." The first mission stop involving Operation Smile will be in Puerto Corinto, Nicaragua, in mid-July. Free medical evaluations will be conducted by Operation Smile volunteers in local hospitals to identify surgical patients who will then be transported aboard the ship. Operation Smile medical volunteers will work side-by-side with Navy personnel and conduct three days of surgery. USNS Comfort will move on to Salaverry, Peru, near the city of Trujillo for the next medical mission involving Operation Smile in early August. Operation Smile Peru has conducted several local missions in Trujillo and has worked closely with the local hospital and Ministry of Health. Free medical evaluations will be conducted by Operation Smile volunteers in Hospital Belen to identify surgical patients. The ship will be anchored offshore and the Peruvian Navy and Coast Guard will transport patients to the ship and back. Operation Smile's medical team will work with Navy personnel to conduct three days of surgery. In late August, Operation Smile medical volunteers from Colombia will work at Hospital Departamental de Buenaventura to provide free medical evaluations and two days of surgery to children. This is the second time Operation Smile has been invited to participate in a Navy hospital ship mission. The first mission took place June 28-July 5, 2006, and involved nearly 40 Operation Smile volunteers deployed with the U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy to Chittagong, Bangladesh. The Operation Smile international team provided free medical evaluations at Chittagong Medical College Hospital for more than 140 children and treated 54. The patients selected for surgery were transported by helicopter from Chittagong to USNS Mercy where the surgeries took place. This mission marked the first time Operation Smile has treated children from Bangladesh. Operation Smile Provides Surgery to Three Children as Part of World Care ProgramThe life of seven-year-old Rayan Faeq from Iraq has been changed forever thanks to the efforts of Operation Smile, Congressmen, a U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel in Iraq and a Washington, D.C. law firm. )
Rayan suffered from ankylosis of the left temporomandibular, a severe deformity of the mouth that limits her ability to open it. As a result, Rayan had difficulty eating, drinking, and even breathing. Because she could only eat by tearing her food into tiny pieces and putting them through the small opening between her teeth, she was malnourished and extremely small for her age. Also due to her jaw deformity, an unusual amount of pressure was being applied to her windpipe, and inhibited her ability to sleep causing her to stop breathing in the middle of the night.
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Rayan’s mother, Parwin Hama Ali, left her other five children with her husband in the Kurdistan region of Iraq to travel with Rayan to Norfolk, Virginia. Rayan received surgery on June 11, 2007 at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD) in Norfolk. Dr. Bill Magee, Co-Founder and CEO of Operation Smile, led the surgery which included taking sections of her skull to reconstruct her jaw and move it forward. After the nine hour surgery, Rayan was able to open her mouth normally and will now be able to breathe and eat normally as well. Her mother said, “This is a miracle.” Rayan and her mother are staying with Chip and Jodi Simkins and their four children in Virginia Beach during her recovery before returning home.
While deployed in Iraq as chief of a Military Transition Team, U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Chapman was approached by the Kurdish Regional Government who was seeking humanitarian assistance for Rayan Hussain Faeq’s family. While his team was unable to provide care for Rayan, Chapman contacted his U.S. Congressman from Michigan, Representative Mike Rogers in December 2006. A Washington, D.C., law firm, which has previously worked with Operation Smile, learned of Rayan’s case and contacted the organization. Operation Smile initiated an assessment of Rayan’s conditions through Dr. Eaman T. AL-Gobory, National Medical Officer for the International Organization for Migration in Iraq. In March 2007, Rayan and her father traveled to Baghdad to be diagnosed by Dr. AL-Gobory and she became an Operation Smile World Care patient candidate. Operation Smile Jordan has been instrumental in facilitating logistics for Rayan and her family. Congressman Trent Franks from Arizona, born with a facial deformity, has been involved with Operation Smile for several years and has helped obtain passports and visas for Rayan’s trip to the United States.
Gonzalo Rodriguez Lopez and Corina Davila Sanchez have three sons and live in El Bambu, Nicaragua. Gonzalo built their small bamboo house, which has no running water or bathroom. Two of their children, Domingo, 9, and Yilber, 6 months, were both born with facial deformities. Domingo suffered from a cleft lip and Yilber had a cleft lip and a cleft palate. The family had never seen a child with a cleft lip and nobody else in their village suffers with this deformity. Domingo is in third grade and likes to play soccer and enjoys swimming. In April 2007, the pastor of their church drove the family 10 hours to Managua to be seen by medical volunteers during an Operation Smile local medical mission. The medical volunteers discovered Yilber was sick and could not receive surgery. Working with its foundation in Nicaragua, Operation Smile determined Domingo and Yilber would be brought in May to the U.S. to receive surgery during Operation Smile’s annual Physicians’ Training Program. In May 2007, Operation Smile brought Corina, Domingo and Yilber to the United States. On June 5, Operation Smile provided reconstructive surgery to Domingo and Yilber at CHKD. )
Two families in the same Virginia Beach neighborhood hosted the two brothers Domingo and Yilber and their mother during their stay. The Dye family from Virginia Beach opened their home to Corina, Domingo and Yilber. Tom and Jennifer Dye have two children and the family enjoyed the experience. The Clifford family from Virginia Beach also helped with the two children during their stay. Brigette Magee Clifford, is one of the daughters of Operation Smile’s Co-founders Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee. Brigette helped launch the first Operation Smile Student Association and currently helps with development, fundraising and awareness programs. Years ago, her husband Dave served as an Operation Smile mission coordinator. The couple has four children.
During their stay, the group visited the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach and met students from Alanton Elementary in Virginia Beach, who recently raised more than $25,000 for Operation Smile. Corina, Domingo and Yilber flew home to Nicaragua on June 12. Operation Smile Nicaragua will complete any needed follow-up care. The family now has two sons who have new beautiful smiles. The World Care Program is a part of Operation Smile’s annual Physicians’ Training Program, a program that has brought more than 70 physicians and nurses from 25 countries to Norfolk from May 28-June 8. During this medical education conference, physicians and nurses will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge through lectures, lab rotations, and surgery observations of the World Care patients. Operation Smile Links with RacingThePlanet to Aid Children in Kashgar, ChinaOperation Smile provided medical evaluations to 51 children in the Kashgar region of China. These medical services were scheduled in conjunction with RacingThePlanet’s Gobi March 2007, a seven-day, six-stage, 250-kilometer footrace across the Gobi Desert of China, which took place June 17-23, 2007.
Operation Smile, with support from global textile company, Esquel, will arrange transportation and surgery for those selected patients and their parents to travel one thousand miles to Urumqi for treatment in August during Operation Smile's international medical mission. Action Outreach, while promoting other charitable endeavors throughout the world, has partnered with Operation Smile to direct funding from Gobi March competitors to support Operation Smile's ongoing humanitarian work in China. Action Outreach and Operation Smile collaborated with RacingThePlanet to stage its first international medical mission in the city of Urumqi in 2006. While competitors of the 2006 Gobi March were arriving for the start of a grueling 150-mile footrace through desert terrain, an Operation Smile medical mission team, in partnership with No. 5 Affiliated Hospital to Xinjiang Medical College in the Xinjiang Province, screened hundreds of disfigured children. During the next four days, Operation Smile medical volunteers performed life-changing surgery on 112 children, giving them each a chance to live normal, healthy, productive lives. If you would like to join efforts with Action Outreach and support Operation Smile, please make your donation in U.S. dollars by clicking here. To learn more about RacingThePlanet's Gobi March endurance race, please visit www.racingtheplanet.com. Old Dominion University Becomes Operation Smile's Newest Partner InstitutionOld Dominion University and Operation Smile announced a new partnership on Wednesday, May 30, marking the formal beginning of collaborative efforts between the university and the Norfolk-based children's medical charity.
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The first collaborative activity kicks off immediately following the ceremony, involving Operation Smile's Physicians' Training Program (PTP) and ODU faculty. This year PTP, which serves as a critical component of Operation Smile’s training and educational initiatives, features a specific curriculum for nurses who volunteer with the organization. More than 60 physicians and nurses from more than 20 Operation Smile partner countries will attend the signing ceremony, hear from Dr. Bill Magee and then conduct team building activities. From May 30-June 1, nurses from across the globe will visit the ODU campus to participate in scenario-based workshops, observe nursing classes and receive advanced-skills training.
Campbell, who has volunteered with the organization the past eight years, including traveling on missions to Bangladesh, Brazil and Morocco, has been integral in forging the partnership. According to Campbell, the university has supported Operation Smile for many years. "This agreement makes our partnership official and expands the many possibilities for collaboration," she said. Most of the training sessions will take place in ODU’s Health Sciences Building. The 80,000-square-foot facility, which recently underwent a $9.3 million renovation, features state-of-the-art laboratories, a hospital ward, assessment and motion analysis labs, human diagnostic research center and fully mediated classrooms and labs. Physicians and Nurses from 25 Countries Arrive in Norfolk for Operation Smile's Medical Education Conference May 28 - June 8More than 70 physicians and nurses from 25 countries will travel to Norfolk to participate in Operation Smile's annual Physicians' Training Program (PTP) from May 28-June 8. Since 1987, this conference has been a critical component of Operation Smile's training and education initiatives. PTP, which is led by Operation Smile CEO and Co-founder Dr. Bill Magee and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Rubin, gives physicians from Operation Smile mission countries the opportunity to learn new surgical techniques and to expand their knowledge through lectures, lab rotations, and operation room observation. The goal of PTP is to train medical professionals to care for children in their own countries, furthering Operation Smile's mission of helping its partner countries attain self-sufficiency. The program also provides the opportunity for physicians and nurses from around the world to share valuable medical and cultural knowledge and to observe and receive training on difficult craniofacial cases. PTP includes plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists and pediatricians, and this year is expanded to include dentists and nurses. )
PTP is a joint effort by Operation Smile, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters in Norfolk and Operation Smile partner institutions across the country. To date, Operation Smile has brought more than 650 medical professionals to Norfolk, Va. for this program. Anesthesiologists and pediatricians attending the conference train at Tidewater Center for Life Support in Norfolk to receive Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications, required to participate in Operation Smile medical missions. Nursing participants will also receive training in PALS at Tidewater Center for Life Support. Operation Smile will conduct Basic Life Support (BLS) at Old Dominion University in Norfolk for nursing and dental participants.
Part of PTP includes specialty training at Operation Smile partner institutions. New to the program this year is the participation of nurses and dentists from Operation Smile partner countries. From May 30-June 1, nurses will receive specialty training at Old Dominion University. From May 31-June 1, dental participants will train at the University of Maryland Dental School in Baltimore, Md., anesthesia participants will be in Washington, D.C. at George Washington University, and pediatric participants will be in Philadelphia, Penn. at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Plastic surgery participants will be at Duke University in Durham, N.C. from May 31-June 2. Operation Smile Mission in Kenya Conducts Fourth Local MissionAs Operation Smile Mission in Kenya celebrates their 20th anniversary of changing the lives of children born with facial deformities, another important milestone was also reached. This year’s 2007 mission marked the fourth Operation Smile Mission in Kenya (OSMIK) Local Mission in Meru in five years. Thanks to the generous donations of Operation Smile United Kingdom, from April 22 to April 29, 2007 OSMIK conducted a local mission at the Meru District Hospital. On site, the team provided complete medical evaluations for 181 patients. In just over three days of surgery the team was able to operate on 99 patients for a total of 121 procedures. The safe and successful manner in which the surgeries were conducted is due in large part to the professional care given by our devoted volunteers. The team leaders, in specific, deserve a lot of credit for their tireless efforts to ensure the high standard of care that Operation Smile demands. The team was led by Dr. Kimani Wanjeri (Field Medical Director and Plastic Surgery Team Leader), Dr. Kinyua (Anesthesia Team Leader), and Doris Musyoka (Clinical Coordinator). Each of these volunteers brought a unique form of leadership, which contributed to the mission’s success. Volunteers like these are the pillars on which we build our missions as we look to the future. )
On-site volunteers, should also be mentioned, as they significantly contributed to the tremendous success of this mission. With the continued support and dedication to the cause and their anticipation of the needs of the team, the Operation Smile Meru Site Board members are a testament to the strength of Meru site. Led by Dickson Gitobu, the Board was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and very involved in mission preparations and mission activities throughout the week. Meru District Hospital, led by Medical Superintendent, Dr. Dan Kiptoon, and the Meru local community were gracious and open hosts to the mission and all its participants.
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Special recognition should also be made for Dr. Albert Obiri. Dr. Obiri is a credentialed OSMIK surgeon, a prominent figure on the Operation Smile Meru Site Board, and also a member of the Meru District Hospital Board. His ability to coordinate and integrate all parties involved throughout mission preparation and execution were crucial to the mission’s success. The medical and non-medical volunteers led the way in creating unity amongst a truly national team representing 5 different Operation Smile sites. This list is comprised of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, and Meru. Both our non-medical and medical volunteers contributed to the team atmosphere through their enthusiasm, personality, and hard work throughout the mission.
The mission visited by representatives from Kenya News Agency, Nation, Standard, Kememe and Citizen. This was extremely beneficial in increasing awareness for OSMIK's programs. Prior to the Meru Mission, a Patient Imaging Technician (PIT) Training was carried out at the Nairobi office. Three of the six PITs were trained on site throughout the mission by a volunteer from the United States who conducted the training. For the first time on a local mission, all patients were captured digitally during screening, pre-operatively, immediately post-operatively, and 1-week post-operatively. Patients will be followed up for 6 month post-operative evaluations in October 2007, as well. Furthermore, one surgeon and three anesthesia students were included on the team and worked closely with OSMIK credentialed volunteers throughout the week in hopes of shaping the quality medical volunteers that will carry OSMIK through its next 20 years. Operation Smile Colombia Inaugurates Comprehensive Care CenterBOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA - Fundación Operación Sonrisa Colombia (FOSC) inaugurated its new Center for Integral Attention in Bogotá – the Gilberto Mariño Centro de Atención Integral – with an opening ceremony on Monday, April 16.
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The Operation Smile Colombia Center for Integral Attention will treat children year-round who suffer from cleft lips and cleft palates as well as provide education and training to medical professionals in the region. It will include an operating and recovery room as well as rooms for medical, dental, speech therapy, and psychological consultations. Fundación Operación Sonrisa Colombia has been providing follow-up care to its patients in the form of dentistry, speech therapy, psychology, genetics, and medical consultations for several years. The new center will allow them to expand their services and provide the most up-to-date cleft lip and palate care. The Center also holds the headquarter offices for Fundación Operación Sonrisa Colombia. The Center is the result of much effort and support provided by professionals, private groups, contributors, volunteers, and the participation of patients and their families.
VIP attendees to the event included Margarita Vargas, FOSC Executive Director; Nohra Puyana de Pastrana, Colombia's Former First lady; Dr. William P. Magee Jr. and Kathleen S. Magee, Operation Smile Co-founders, and Lina Moreno de Uribe, Colombia's First Lady. Rob Rubin, Operation Smile Chief Medical Officer. Other attendees included FOSC Operation Smile headquarters staff and volunteers, medical volunteers from Operation Smile Brazil, Operation Smile Paraguay, and Operation Smile Ecuador. Critical Nursing Skills Training Program Being Conducted Around the WorldFrom March-August 2007, Operation Smile is conducting a Critical Nursing Skills Training Program, a three day intensive training program for pre/post-operative, operating room (OR), and recovery room (RR) nurses, for nurses in 24 of its partner countries. The training will focus on critical nursing skills specific to children receiving reconstructive surgery for cleft lip and cleft palate deformities. Nurses and longtime Operation Smile volunteers Cindi Raglin, R.N.C. from Virginia Beach, VA, Lucia Mauer, R.N., B.S.N. from Seattle, WA, and Linda Highfield, R.N., C.N.O.R. from Columbus, OH, created the curriculum and will be the primary trainers for the program.
This program will assist in-country local nurses from Operation Smile partner countries in their understanding of material through a series of tests, practical application demonstrations, and competency check lists. The goal is to teach the critical skills of pre/post, operating room, and recovery room nursing with the goal of implementing a standard level of nursing knowledge and care necessary to deliver safe patient care during all medical missions performed under the auspices of Operation Smile. )
Nurses from 24 of Operation Smile’s partner countries – Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Peru, Honduras, Paraguay, Panama, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, Philippines, India, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, South Africa, Ethiopia, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, Russia, Kenya – will take part in the training. The program will include lecture sessions, practical application demonstrations, and tests. Hundreds of nurses will be trained and two nurses in each country will be identified to serve as in-country trainers for this program in the future.
Life Support Training in MexicoOperation Smile and the American Heart Association conducted a Basic Life Support (BLS) course in Guadalajara, Mexico, on April 21, 2007. Fifteen medical professionals participated in the course, including anesthesiologists, surgeons, a family physician, and a nurse. The course was conducted by American Heart Association faculty Dr. Ernesto Velasco, Dr. Rodrigo Prieto, and Dr. Alejandro Cabrera. This is the second BLS training organized by Operation Smile and faculty of the American Heart Association in Mexico. The first BLS course took place in Guadalajara on March 24, 2007 at Jalisco's Institute of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and 10 nurses were trained. In May, five pediatricians and 10 anesthesiologists will be trained in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). These life support programs will increase the number of Operation Smile Mexico volunteers credentialed by Operation Smile. This training will benefit not only patients they treat during Operation Smile medical missions, but also their country's healthcare system.
Hasbro Supports Operation SmileOne of Operation Smile’s Corporate Smile Ambassadors is the Hasbro Children’s Fund, the charitable giving program of Hasbro, Inc. In April 2006, the Fund selected Operation Smile to receive $450,000 over three years. In addition, the toy company is producing and donating 50,000 Mr. Potato Head plush toys, with a market value of $250,000. The toys will be given to each child who comes for a medical screening at all mission sites during Operation Smile’s World Journey of Smiles in November 2007 and beyond. Mr. Potato Head plush toys will be available through the online store on Operation Smile’s website. Additionally, they will be sold by service organizations and student clubs as fund-raisers. Operation Smile thanks Hasbro for its generous contributions and help in making a difference in the lives of children around the world.
Operation Smile Celebrates National Volunteer Week With Volunteer Awards Ceremony April 25Operation Smile is proud to have one of the world’s largest volunteer networks — more than 5,000 medical and non-medical volunteers ready to share their time and talent to help children. In celebration of National Volunteer Week (April 15-21), Operation Smile will hold a Volunteer Awards Ceremony and reception to honor four exceptional volunteers with the following awards: Volunteer of the Quarter, Volunteer of the Year, and Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award. The reception will take place on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 from 6:30pm–8:30pm at the Philippine Cultural Center located in Virginia Beach, Va. Operation Smile Co-Founders Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee will present the awards to these dedicated volunteers. )
Norrie Oelkers, R.N., from Morristown, NJ, is being honored with the Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award. Norrie is a registered nurse and a dedicated volunteer for Operation Smile. Norrie began her association with Operation Smile in 1995 when she was on the Executive Board of the Delbarton Mother’s Guild of Delbarton School. She was the Parent Liaison for the Operation Smile Student Association, of which her son Ryan was a member. She began serving as a nurse volunteer on missions with Operation Smile in 1997 and has assisted on more than 20 missions all over the world. She has traveled with Operation Smile as an operating room nurse and clinical coordinator to Honduras, Bolivia, China, the Philippines, Ecuador, Vietnam, Cambodia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, India, China, Ethiopia, Jordan, South Africa, and Kenya. She is a major fundraiser with Operation Smile’s New Jersey Leadership Circle and also serves on the Medical Research Committee. In October 2006, Norrie was presented with the Humanitarian Award at the Operation Smile New Jersey gala.
Two volunteers, Ann Campbell and Kathy Majette, are receiving Operation Smile’s Volunteer of the Year Award. )
Ann Campbell R.N., M.S.N., C.P.N.P., of Virginia Beach, Va., is a nursing educator at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. She met and worked with Operation Smile CEO and Co-founder Dr. Bill Magee at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk and wanted to volunteer with Operation Smile. She had always made a promise to herself to give back to others in some way and has a passion for children. Ann’s first Operation Smile mission was to Brazil in 2002. Ann says, “One mission and you are hooked.” She has volunteered on other Operation Smile missions to Morocco, Bangladesh, and Jordan. Not only has Ann served as a nurse volunteer on missions, but she has also volunteered for Operation Smile in other capacities. She has participated with Operation Smile’s World Care program as a coordinator and in 2005 and 2006; she and her family served as a host family for a World Care patient named Eman from Iraq. Eman and her father stayed with the Campbells several times while Eman received surgeries to repair facial deformities. Ann has worked hard on Operation Smile’s behalf to form a university partnership with Old Dominion University. Ann has joined Operation Smile’s nursing council, where she brings quality education to Operation Smile nursing volunteers through programs, including the Nursing Training Program, which is a new element of Operation Smile’s annual Physicians’ Training Program. Ann also serves on Operation Smile’s Speakers Bureau to build awareness for the organization.
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Kathy Majette, R.N., from Williamsburg, Va., a nurse at Riverside Hospital, joined Operation Smile in 1999 after learning about the organization through co-workers who were volunteers. Kathy immediately knew she wanted to get involved. Kathy has served as a nurse volunteer on more than 20 missions to countries including China, Venezuela, the Philippines, Belarus, Russia, Paraguay, Ethiopia, Ecuador, India, Morocco, South Africa and Honduras. As a volunteer, Kathy has served Operation Smile as a Pre/Post Op Nurse, a nurse educator, and is currently a member of the nursing council. In addition, she helps with local fund-raisers, plans social activities for Operation Smile’s annual Physicians’ Training Program, and serves on the organization’s Speakers Bureau to build awareness. Annually, Kathy teaches basic healthcare at the Mission Training Workshop for high school students who will serve as educators on upcoming Operation Smile missions.
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High school student Jemma Wolfe, of Virginia Beach, Va., will be presented with the Volunteer of the Quarter Award. Seventeen-year-old Jemma is a high school senior at Norfolk Academy. Jemma has been fortunate enough to travel, so Operation Smile piqued her interest in other countries and cultures. She has been volunteering with Operation Smile since seventh grade, participating in the Operation Smile Student Association “Happy Club” at Norfolk Academy. She has been the club’s co-president for the past several years. In 2005, Jemma attended Operation Smile’s International Student Leadership Conference in Williamsburg, Va., and then completed Operation Smile’s Mission Training Workshop in January 2006. She served as a student educator on a mission in May 2006 to Urumqi, China. After her mission, Jemma created a video that detailed her experiences in China and was presented the movie to countless audiences to raise awareness for Operation Smile. Jemma is currently on Operation Smile’s Student Advisory Board and has helped with several Operation Smile Student Program events in the Hampton Roads area.
 Dr. Bill Magee, CEO and Co-founder of Operation Smile, notes: “For 25 years we have been blessed with thousands of volunteers who have treated more than 100,000 children with facial deformities. All of us can relate to the needs of a child and when we are able to combine that child’s needs with the talents and the skills that medicine provides, we truly can change that child’s life. We are able to take a child from hopelessness to possibility, and in doing that, create a new life for that child and their family. That transition becomes a metaphor that says ‘involvement can create change.’” Operation Smile President and Co-founder Kathy Magee, Bill’s wife, adds: “What started as the efforts and commitment of a small number of people – our family and friends – is now, 25 years later, sustained and made possible by the same commitment of thousands of volunteers the world over that make up the global ‘family’ that we proudly admire and thank today.”
Sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation, National Volunteer Week is about thanking one of America's most valuable assets – our volunteers – and calling the public's attention to all that they do to improve our communities. National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteering. Since then, every U.S. President has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week. For more information, visit www.pointsoflight.org. "Family Portrait Month" Winner Photographs an Operation Smile MissionPPA Charities is the philanthropic arm of Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and has chosen Operation Smile as its charitable partner. In October 2005 and 2006, participating member studios of PPA from across the country joined together for "Family Portrait Month," a national fund-raising effort to benefit Operation Smile. These professional photographers contributed a portion of each October Family Portrait Month sale to PPA Charities. In 2005, they raised $12,500 and in 2006, a check for $40,000 was presented to Operation Smile.
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PPA Charities sponsored a Family Portrait Month contest. By generating the largest donation during Family Portrait Month, photographer Angela Weedon from Dallas, Texas, won the chance to photograph an Operation Smile international medical mission. Angela and her husband Matt, also a photographer, were excited to raise money for Operation Smile because it had a special place in their hearts because their six-year-old nephew was born with a cleft lip. Weedon Photography was the largest contributor to both the 2005 and 2006 Family Portrait Month. She was able to raise a total of $11,500 in these two years.
In March 2007, Ms. Weedon traveled with an Operation Smile international volunteer medical team to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Weedon said, "It was a privilege to document the mission. These precious children received their new smiles from a team of incredible medical volunteers, and it was an honor to join them." Comprehensive Care Center Opens in VietnamFirst of Several Centers Demonstrates Success of Operation Smile's Sustainability Programs Operation Smile announced today that the organization will open a new Comprehensive Care Center in Hue, Vietnam, on March 30, the first of seven new centers to be opened this year in partner countries across the globe. Operation Smile is focusing its 25th anniversary on sustainability, with a goal of increasing the number of children served annually through establishment of regional centers of care. Operation Smile volunteers have medically treated more than 100,000 children to date through international medical missions and in-country local missions. The new centers are projected to help increase that number to 20,000 patients per year by 2008, as well as an estimated 400% increase to 40,000 by the year 2010.
According to Operation Smile Co-founder and CEO Dr. William P. Magee Jr.: "When we first launched Operation Smile 25 years ago, we were focused on conducting international medical missions -- bringing teams from the U.S. to developing countries to provide cleft lip and cleft palate surgery where the need was strongest. But as time went on, we began to work with in-country local medical volunteers, providing them with the training and equipment needed to support patients after the mission was complete. Today, more than 60% of Operation Smile patients are being treated by these in-country medical teams. And through the launch of our new Comprehensive Care Centers, our capacity and reach will continue to grow exponentially," he added.
Approved and supported by Thua Thien Hue People's Committee and Health Service Department, the Center is expected to provide free treatment for at least 2,000 patients and train about 1,000 medical professionals in different fields annually. Operation Smile Vietnam Board Chairman Ken Atkinson said, "We are delighted to see what was only a dream three years ago turned into reality with our first center in Hue. This center and future ones will enable us to move to our desired comprehensive care model and provide continuous surgery rather than operating under the current mission model." Other Comprehensive Care Center scheduled openings in 2007 include Columbia and India in May, Honduras in November, and Morocco and Vietnam (Hanoi) in November. Operation Smile 25th Anniversary Honored with Congressional ResolutionReps. Thelma Drake (R-VA) and Bobby Scott (D-VA) Sponsor Bill Praising Worldwide Children's Medical Charity For Its Global Efforts To Assist Children Born with Facial Deformities Representatives Thelma Drake (R-VA) and Bobby Scott (D-VA) introduced House Resolution 208 in the United States Congress honoring Norfolk, Virginia-based Operation Smile in celebration and recognition of the organization's 25th Anniversary and achievement of having surgically treated more than 100,000 children and young adults born with cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial deformity.
"I truly believe that the Magees are miracle workers," said Rep. Drake. "For 25 years now they have brought hope to corners of the world where it is often a rare commodity. Through their work and their mission to encourage others they have helped elevate to the surface the light that shines within each and every child. Their compassion makes them excellent ambassadors for the Hampton Roads region and I am truly honored to commend their work here in the House of Representatives." Congresswoman Drake sponsored the Resolution with Congressman Scott joining as the original co-sponsor. The bill reads, in part: "Whereas in 1982, Dr. William P. Magee Jr., a plastic surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen S. Magee, a nurse and clinical social worker, 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. Whereas Operation Smile headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, was founded in 1982 by Dr. William Magee Jr. and his wife Kathleen S. Magee to address this need. Whereas since 1982, Operation Smile's volunteers have provided free reconstructive surgery to more than 100,000 children and young adults with facial deformities in 25 countries and currently works in: Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gaza Strip/West Bank, Honduras, India, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Venezuela and Vietnam. Whereas Operation Smile provides education and training to thousands of healthcare professionals globally, and is implementing a plan for a Global Standard of Care to ensure that every child treated will receive the same high standard of care every time." "We are grateful to Representatives Drake and Scott for bringing attention to Operation Smile and the work we do," said Dr. William Magee, co-founder of Operation Smile with his wife Kathleen. "Our mission will grow stronger as a result of this Congressional recognition, and will result in Operation Smile being able to help more and more children in need around the world." Professional Photographers of America raise $40,000 for Operation Smile during "Family Portrait Month"During October 2006, participating member studios of Professional Photographers of America (PPA) from across the country joined together for "Family Portrait Month," a national fund-raising effort to benefit Operation Smile. These professional photographers contributed a portion of each October Family Portrait Month sale to PPA Charities. On January 13, during the Professional Photographers of America Imaging USA 2007 convention in San Antonio, Texas, PPA Charities presented a $40,000 check to Operation Smile, the money raised during "Family Portrait Month."
Operation Smile Announces 25th Anniversary "Smile Ambassadors"Roma Downey, Mark Burnett, Billy Bush, Donald Trump Jr., Vanessa Trump, Melanie Dunea and Nigel Parry Support Operation Smile's Efforts to Bring Smiles to Children Across the Globe Operation Smile is pleased to announce the launch of its 25th Anniversary Smile Ambassador program. This group of notables joins Jessica Simpson, Operation Smile's International Youth Ambassador, who continues to bring awareness to the plight of these children in need. The first group of celebrities to join the program includes Roma Downey, Mark Burnett, Billy Bush, Donald Trump Jr. and wife Vanessa Trump, as well as noted photographers Nigel Parry and Melanie Dunea. As Smile Ambassadors, each celebrity will have the opportunity to visit one of Operation Smile's partner countries during the year, helping bring global attention to the needs of children born with facial deformities.
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The Smile Ambassadors are selected based on their commitment to global philanthropy and a willingness to speak out on behalf of children. Their visibility and passion will be harnessed to bring large-scale awareness to the needs of children worldwide throughout the organization's 25th Anniversary efforts, including the November 2007 World Journey of Smiles, which will feature simultaneous medical missions in 25 countries with a goal of treating an estimated 5,000 children. World Journey of Smiles will begin with free medical screenings in each country November 8, 2007, with surgeries taking place November 12-16, 2007.
Smile Ambassadors announced today include: Actress Roma Downey, known as angel Monica on CBS-TV's Touched By An Angel, who continues her role as a real-life angel by touching children's lives through her work as a Smile Ambassador, spokesperson and Board of Governors member for Operation Smile. Mark Burnett, known for pioneering reality television, joined fiancee Roma Downey in February of 2006 in an Operation Smile medical mission in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. He continues his support as a 2007 Operation Smile Ambassador. Billy Bush, a long-standing spokesperson and Board of Governors member for Operation Smile, is the co-anchor of NBC's Access Hollywood, and has served as emcee for Operation Smile's Los Angeles Gala in 2005 and 2006, which raised more than $3 million and was attended by more than 500 Operation Smile supporters including celebrities, businesspeople and politicians. Additionally Bush co-hosted Operation Smile's The Smile Collection in New York alongside IMG supermodel Mini Anden in 2005, and actress Molly Sims in 2006. Donald Trump Jr. and wife Vanessa, honored with the Wallis Annenberg Public Service Award at the Operation Smile Los Angeles Gala in 2006, also join the Smile Ambassador team. Vanessa Trump, actress and Wilhelmina model, has been working to bring national awareness to the children of Operation Smile for over four years. Donald Trump Jr. is Executive Vice President of Development & Acquisitions for The Trump Organization and is a regular on his father's hit show The Apprentice. Trump Jr. was a founding member of the Operation Smile Executive Committee in Manhattan and has been actively involved in helping with event strategy and development since 2002. Photographer Melanie Dunea specializes in portraits of the world's most influential people in the public eye, often appearing in Vanity Fair, Newsweek, The London Times, People and New York Magazine. Her first published book, Precious, received top awards in the photography field. Photographer Nigel Parry has taken award-winning images of famed cultural and political figures that have appeared in W, Vanity Fair,GQ, Newsweek and the New York Times Magazine. His work has been exhibited internationally and his books have received worldwide acclaim. Together with Melanie Dunea, they have supported the work of Operation Smile for five years and are completing work on a book, The Journey of Smiles, for Operation Smile to be published in May. "No child should grow up with a correctable facial deformity," notes Smile Ambassador Billy Bush. "If I can help make that source of pain disappear in even one child's life, I will without hesitation. I wholeheartedly support the work Operation Smile and its Co-founders the Magees are doing to help children around the world." Physicians from 25 Countries Meet in Norfolk to Adopt Global Standards of CareTo mark its 25th anniversary of repairing facial deformities for children in developing countries around the world, Operation Smile volunteers will conduct simultaneous medical missions at 43 sites in 25 countries during a single week, November 12-16, 2007.
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To prepare for that initiative, called the World Journey of Smiles, plastic surgeons and anesthesiologists from 22 of those countries joined their colleagues from the United States, Italy and Ireland on February 9-10 for an important two-day conference in Norfolk. Their objective was to set standards of care for the anticipated 5,000 cleft lip and cleft palate procedures to be performed not only during World Journey of Smiles, but for all future medical missions conducted under the auspices of Operation Smile.
"We recognize that the World Journey of Smiles is an ambitious undertaking, but it reflects the maturing of Operation Smile into a charity capable of safely bringing this life-changing care to so many people in so many places in a single five-day period," says Dr. Rubin. "No longer is Operation Smile only conducting two-week medical missions with teams of volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists, speech pathologists, and other medical professionals from around the world. Instead more than half of the surgeries are now being performed in country by locally-based teams of well-trained medical professionals year round." In addition, says Rubin, Operation Smile is in the process of opening permanent Comprehensive Care Centers in Colombia, Honduras, Panama, Morocco, China, India and Vietnam where patients can be screened, treated and receive follow-up care on a year-round basis. Staffed totally by local networks of medical volunteers, they will expand Operation Smile's ability to help more children born with facial deformities. "The principal objective in every procedure performed under the auspices of Operation Smile is that we achieve a high standard of care for every child every time," says Dr. Magee. "That is why the Global Standards Conference and medical education that we provide here and abroad throughout the year are so critical to fulfilling our mission." Dr. Owen Loh, a plastic surgeon and Medical Director of Operation Smile Philippines, was one of the conference participants. Since his first mission to Naga City in 1994, Dr. Loh has volunteered on more than 30 international medical missions and countless local medical missions and says, "Operation Smile has become a part of my life. If I stopped being involved it would be like losing a part of me, like my foot or my hand." Regional Biomedical Training Program in Honduras Provides Training and Promotes Self-SufficiencyOperation Smile is conducting a regional biomedical training program January 24-27 in Honduras. The training program, being conducted by Biomedical Technicians Dave Rosenberg and Chad Speers, is a major step toward reaching Operation Smile's goal of having one person trained in biomedical technology in each of our partner countries. This year, Operation Smile is supplying each of our partner countries with state-of-the-art medical equipment, therefore this biomedical training program is vital for each country to be capable to set-up, test and maintain the equipment before, during and after Operation Smile missions.
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The biomedical training program, created by Rosenberg and Speers, consists of classroom sessions coupled with hands-on training with equipment in a mock operating room. Trainees are required to participate and work alongside trainers on an Operation Smile medical mission to be mentored, observed, and properly evaluated. The program is part of Operation Smile's ongoing commitment to provide education and training to physicians and other healthcare professionals around the world to promote long-term self-sufficiency.
Eleven participants from the eight partner countries of Latin America - Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, and Peru are taking part in the training. In addition, five currently credentialed Operation Smile biomedical professionals are part of the program, to prepare them to serve as trainers in the future for Operation Smile's Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa and Middle East regions. These participants come from the Philippines, Ireland and South Africa. Dave Rosenberg is a Clinical Engineer at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and has served as an Operation Smile volunteer for the last 12 years. In that time, Dave has been on 20 Operation Smile missions in countries across the world, including Palestine, Brazil, Philippines, China, India, Jordan, Paraguay, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Ethiopia. Dave is the chair of the Operation Smile Biomedical Technician Medical Council. Rosenberg said, "Even though we're not directly doing the surgery in the field we do get to see the children afterward and what a tremendous change it's made in their lives." Chad Speers is a Biomedical Specialist III at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. This is Chad's tenth year volunteering for Operation Smile, volunteering on missions to Romania, Bucherest, Peteschi, Venezuela, the West Bank, China, Kenya, Brazil, India, Morocco, Bolivia and Ethiopia. Chad is the assistant chair of the Operation Smile Biomedical Technician Medical Council. When talking about Operation Smile missions and the happiness it brings the children, Speers said, "They really give us back more than we could ever possibly give them." Click on photo for caption. Thirty-three students complete Mission Training WorkshopThe 2007 Winter Mission Training Workshop took place January 12-15 at the Ramada Plaza Resort Hotel in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Thirty-three students and eight student sponsors from around the United States and Canada participated and quickly molded into a close-knit, diverse "family." The group completed fun team building activities. Students were trained to effectively teach oral rehydration therapy, burn care and prevention, proper nutrition, post-operative aftercare and dental care to families and patients in developing countries during their Operation Smile medical missions. Students worked in small groups to create their own presentations, which ranged from dances and skits to songs. A roundtable question and answer session was conducted between the students and experienced student sponsors and members of the Student Advisory Board. On the last night of the training weekend, amid much excitement, the students received their mission assignments. These 33 students will volunteer and serve as student educators on upcoming Operation Smile international medical missions in the next 6 months, accompanied by the trained student sponsors.
Operation Smile Regional Director of Development Rings NASDAQ Stock Market Opening BellMelanie Agustin, Regional Director of Development-Office of the Founders of Operation Smile, presided over the Market Open on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at NASDAQ's MarketSite in the heart of New York's Times Square. Agustin said, "It was a personal pleasure to have been able to represent Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee, with whom I have worked so closely with over the past seven years. To have had this opportunity to represent the organization was such an exciting and memorable way to end 2006."
And an Operation Smile public service announcement was played on the MarketSite Tower, a high-tech electronic display that wraps around the cylindrical NASDAQ building, providing up-to-the-minute financial news, market highlights, and advertisements. NASDAQ is the largest U.S. electronic stock market. With approximately 3,200 companies, it lists more companies and, on average, trades more shares per day than any other U.S. market. It is home to companies that are leaders across all areas of business, including technology, retail, communications, financial services, transportation, media and biotechnology. NASDAQ is the primary market for trading NASDAQ-listed stocks. Click here to see NASDAQ Release Photos: © Copyright 2006, The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. Click here to see 2008 News Click here to see archived 2006 News Click here to see archived 2005 News |
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