The Anatomy of a Mission

A life changed: step by step

On a typical mission, a team of up to 60 credentialed medical professionals (surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, pediatricians, dentists and others) from around the world travel to a partner country to treat children over a two-week period. Our teams are organized with both in-country and international volunteers and include interpreters, Operation Smile mission coordinators and two high school students. Along with our volunteers, our missions arrange for the medical equipment, medication and supplies that meet our Global Standards of Care.

Over the last two-and-a-half decades, we’ve developed a highly efficient process for screening and treating hundreds of children within each two-week mission at the highest standard of care we can deliver.

Living proof: Delwin’s story

On a mission to Managua, Nicaragua, in 2005, Delwin was just one of the 121 children selected for surgery. His story illustrates the mission process, which transforms the lives of these children – and their families – in less than two weeks.