exclamation point icon

Discover how AI is shaping the future of cleft care. Watch the Film by BBC StoryWorks

Youth Empowerment

We believe in the power of youth to create a compassionate world.

We empower student volunteers to make a direct impact on the lives of our patients. We cultivate generations of compassionate, empathetic leaders whose meaningful contributions help increase access to medical care, educate about cleft conditions and build kinder, more inclusive communities around the world.

The students who join us today become our future medical volunteers, donors and global health leaders.

“I always say our first mission is to change a child’s life. And the second thing is to involve our youth. They are our future.”

— Kathy Magee, Co-founder, President and CEO of Operation Smile

We rally student volunteers of all ages to make a difference in the lives of our patients.

Youth empowerment has been at the heart of Operation Smile since its start in 1982. Co-founders Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee brought their oldest child, Brigette, on their first medical program in the Philippines and were impressed by their teenager’s compassion as she comforted patients and their families. From then on, we’ve always included student volunteers on our surgical programs and within the organization.

With activity in more than 40 countries, students make a direct impact on patients’ lives by educating communities about cleft conditions, advocating for increased and equitable access and taking action to make this a reality through volunteer and fundraising efforts.

Today, our students are young changemakers who make a difference, both locally in their communities and globally through Operation Smile. Tomorrow, they’re professionals who advance our organization as the next generation of medical volunteers, thought leaders and global health advocates.

“My involvement with this organization truly changed the trajectory of my life forever.”

— Haley Oberhofer, Student Programs Alumna and plastic surgery resident

Making an Impact, Locally and Globally

From hosting service projects in their communities to serving on an international medical program, our young volunteers make a direct and tangible impact on the lives of our patients and their families. While their experiences are unique, they all share their embrace of service and love for Operation Smile.

The journey of Operation Smile student volunteers:

  • Start or join an Operation Smile club at their school or university.
  • Rally their community to support Operation Smile through fundraisers, service projects, donation drives, awareness campaigns and more.
  • Attend an Operation Smile student leadership conference, such as ISLC and LEA.
  • Apply to join a regional leadership council and work with peers to host larger-scale Operation Smile initiatives.
  • Apply to attend an Operation Smile international medical program. (High schoolers serve as health care educators who teach our youngest patients the fundamentals of healthy living. Undergraduate students serve as journalists who capture interviews and multimedia from the program.)
  • Upon graduation, return to Operation Smile as alumni and use their talents to support the organization. Many return as medical volunteers, donors and advocates for Operation Smile.
  • Volunteer to serve as adult chaperones during our leadership conferences and international programs.
Brigette Magee Clifford (right) now serves as the associate vice president of Student Programs. She founded the first Operation Smile student club while in high school.
Student leaders snap a quick photo before departing from a conference in Panama.

Empowering Youth

It’s not just an investment in our organization; it’s an investment in a better world. The students we empower today become the leaders of tomorrow who are both exceptional and empathetic.

600+

Global Leaders Forged through Conferences Each Year 

40+

Countries with Student Volunteers 

400+

Student Clubs Worldwide

Read Stories about Students

View More

Start or Join an Operation Smile Club

With more than 400 clubs around the world, Operation Smile Student Programs offers unique opportunities for young people to rally their communities and make a tangible impact on the lives of our patients and their families.

Get Involved

You can give children a chance to grow up without life-threatening health problems, social stigma, isolation and feelings of hopelessness.

More Ways to Get Involved

Make Your Gift

Your gift today will help transform lives and increase access to essential surgical care.

Loading