Building on nearly 20 years of providing safe surgical care to almost 3,000 patients throughout Jordan and the surrounding region, Operation Smile Jordan announces its first ever Middle East North Africa Comprehensive Cleft Care Conference on March 29 and 30 at the Regency Palace Hotel in Amman. The Conference coincides with a Medical Program at Al-Nadim Hospital in Madaba, where Operation Smile Jordan will provide patient screening March 27 – 28 and free surgeries for about 50 patients with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial differences from March 31 – April 2.
Both events are organized under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Ghazi Al-Zabin, Minister of Health. The Ministry of Health is the main partner of Operation Smile Jordan, providing the use of its affiliated hospitals for medical programs. The sponsorship of HE the Minister of Health, and key support from local partners like Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, and medical unions and societies, adds expertise and resources to the growth of Operation Smile Jordan that helps fuel success for both the Conference and the Medical Program. The Regional Conference is made possible by funding for the Vonnie Wray Initiative, a gift made by The Argyros Foundation in tribute to one of Operation Smile’s most committed staff members and her lifetime of dedication.
With a theme of “Comprehensive Cleft Care: A Multidisciplinary Approach,” the Conference will include training workshops for practical skills led by medical leaders from the Middle Eastern Northern Africa Region, as well lectures by more than 10 guest speakers from around the world. Dr. Kenneth E. Salyer, craniofacial surgery pioneer, will speak on “Craniofacial Surgery.” Dr. Brian Sommerlad will give the opening keynote on “Innovations in Cleft Care,” Dr. Zaid Baqain will speak about “Orthognathic and Craniofacial Surgeries,” and Dr. Khaldoun Haddadin, President of the Jordanian Society of Plastic Reconstructive Surgeons, will speak on the “Value of International Collaboration in Management of Complex Craniofacial Anomalies.” Operation Smile Co-Founders Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee will address the group on day one, marking the significance of the Conference and Medical Program for the region.
Conference attendees will include Operation Smile medical volunteers, specialists and representatives from regional and international educational institutions. With a goal to increase volunteer engagement and to position Operation Smile Jordan as a regional leader for cleft care, the Conference will demonstrate Operation Smile Jordan’s capacity for high quality medical programs. According to Sami Bsaiso, President of Operation Smile Jordan, “Operation Smile believes that everyone deserves access to safe, effective and well-timed surgery as part of our commitment to Comprehensive Care. We are proud to host an event that provides free surgeries and builds upon nearly 20 years of best practices and adherence to a Global Standard of Care by Operation Smile Jordan.”
The Conference is organized in partnership with the University of Jordan, the Private Hospitals Association-Jordan and *The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences.
Media are invited to attend the Conference March 29-30 and to schedule interviews with President Bsaiso, Co-Founders Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee or any of the guest speakers. To arrange please contact Ms. Hala Malhas at +962 (77) 665 5563.
*The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences designates this live activity for a maximum of 15.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
About Operation Smile Jordan:
Since 2000 Operation Smile Jordan has conducted more than 35 medical programs providing care to nearly 3,000 patients from six cities in Jordan, as well as for Iraqi, Syrian and Palestinian children brought into Jordan. The Roma Downey Comprehensive Care Center in Amman, open since 2008, serves as a medical training hub for American Heart Association life-support trainings provided by Operation Smile.
Operation Smile Jordan directly engages the Ministry of Health in efforts related to increasing awareness for patients living with cleft conditions by training local doctors and nurses about the causes of cleft, treatment options for patients and proper feeding and nutrition practices.
Operation Smile Jordan seeks to build partnerships with national institutions, as we regard cooperation with national institutions is the guarantee of the success of Operation Smile in expanding its services to children and enhancing the impact of its contribution to the service of Jordan.
About Operation Smile:
Operation Smile as a global organization has provided hundreds of thousands of safe surgeries for those born with cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial differences. With more than three decades of expertise, Operation Smile creates solutions that deliver free surgery to people where it’s needed most. As one of the largest surgical volunteer-based nonprofits, Operation Smile has mobilized thousands of medical volunteers from a wide range of medical specialties from more than 80 countries.
