Nine Inspiring Moments That Made Us Smile in 2025 

This was one of the busiest and most meaningful years in Operation Smile’s history. Across 37 countries, our local teams showed resilience, compassion and leadership, creating lasting impact in the communities they serve. Together, we increased access to surgical care to more than 17,000 patients and comprehensive care, including oral health, speech therapy, psychosocial support and nutrition to over 99,000 patients. We also facilitated more than 28,000 training interactions with health care professionals, spanning hands-on clinical training, didactic learning, American Heart Association (AHA) courses, specialty development and more. Today, 650 trainees are progressing along specialized pathways to expand access to care in their own communities. 

None of this work happens alone; our supporters, volunteers, partners, staff and local health systems make every achievement possible. We are also grateful to the donors, corporate partners, NGOs, universities, community leaders and strategic partners who help bring care within reach. 

Looking back at all we accomplished together, there were countless moments in 2025 that moved us and strengthened our commitment to patients and their families. Here are nine moments from 2025 that filled us with pride, gratitude and hope — with many more still to come: 

1. Hosting the First-Ever Pan-African Surgical Conference 

In February, we hosted a landmark event in Kigali, Rwanda — the first-ever Pan-African Surgical Conference, themed “Building Resilient and Sustainable Surgical Services in Africa: A Surgeon in Every District Hospital.” The five-day gathering brought together more than 500 surgeons, policymakers, educators and health care leaders from 36 countries to address Africa’s surgical care challenges and share locally driven solutions. Led by and for the Pan-African health care community, the conference was organized by Operation Smile in partnership with the Rwanda Ministry of Health, the Rwanda Surgical Society and the University of Rwanda. Participants focused on practical strategies centered on innovation, research, mentorship and cross-sector partnerships — laying the groundwork for stronger, more sustainable surgical systems across the continent. 

2. Launching Operation 100: Bringing Care Closer to Home 

We launched Operation 100, our bold commitment to bring care closer to home, starting by equipping 100 cleft operative teams with advanced skills, essential equipment and enhanced health infrastructure across 100 hospitals. Inspired by the belief that everyone deserves access to safe surgery, Operation 100 addresses three major barriers to care: long travel distances, shortages of trained providers and limited infrastructure, creating a lasting impact for patients, providers and communities. 

By the end of this year, we are on track to launch surgical training programs at 60 district hospitals across Latin America and the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and Asia. And 100 is just the start. 

3. Expanding Care Across Tanzania 

A major milestone in 2025 was welcoming Tanzania into Operation Smile’s global family. While foundational work began in 2024, this year marked the launch of our first surgical program in the country, expanding our footprint in sub-Saharan Africa to 10 countries. As Regional Director Augustino Hellar, M.D., shared, “It’s a dream come true that we now have Operation Smile Tanzania.” We are excited to see the impact for providers, patients and communities in 2026. 

4. Celebrating 35 Years of Care and Partnership in Vietnam 

We celebrated 35 years of partnership in Vietnam, where Operation Smile began providing care in 1989. What started as a surgical program has grown into a lasting collaboration built on trust, friendship and a shared commitment to expanding access to care. Through close partnership with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health and continued investment in medical education, our work in Vietnam reflects the power of long-term collaboration — and the thousands of children and families impacted along the way. 

5. Young Leaders Driving Lasting Change 

Operation Smile’s International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC) continues to equip the next generation of leaders with the skills to create hope and lasting change in their communities. From July 21–27, more than 350 students from 34 countries gathered at the University of Maryland for the 33rd annual ISLC, supported for the fifth consecutive year by title sponsor Align Technology. Guided by the theme Lead With Hope, students strengthened leadership and advocacy skills through workshops, keynote speakers, service projects and team-building activities. While the conference provides a cornerstone experience, its impact reaches far beyond one week. Student volunteers and patient advocates, including members of Cleft Connect, continue to lead in their communities, raise awareness and share lived experiences. Patient ambassadors such as Ángeles from Peru and Angie from Honduras show how these student leadership efforts inspire action and create a ripple effect of positive change. 

6. Advancing Global Cleft Care Through Research and Innovation 

In October, more than 2,000 professionals from over 120 countries gathered in Kyoto, Japan, for the 15th International Congress on Cleft Lip/Palate and Related Craniofacial Anomalies. The event provided a global platform to exchange research, share innovations and strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration. 

Operation Smile was proud to be represented by 117 participants from 35 countries, who presented 87 research abstracts across topics including access to care, anesthesia, speech evaluation, nutrition and data systems. Their work reflects our commitment to advancing comprehensive cleft care through research and collaboration. 

7. Advancing Health Equity and Policy at UNGA 80 and Beyond 

In September, Operation Smile led global conversations on health equity at the 80th United Nations General Assembly. Our team joined world leaders, policymakers and partners to highlight the urgent need to expand access to safe surgical care for the 5 billion people worldwide who still lack access. We emphasized that lasting impact requires systems-level change, driven by strong partnerships, local leadership and sustainable solutions like Operation 100. Beyond UNGA, we lead policy and advocacy efforts through the year to support long-term investment in surgical systems, helping bring quality care within reach for more communities. 

8. Bringing Smiles and Care Within Reach 

Throughout the year, our focus remained on creating new smiles and bringing care closer to where it is needed most. Through partnerships and education, we strengthened local health systems and equipped local health workers through mentorship and training to expand care in their communities. 

We were inspired by stories from providers making an impact in their communities and from families accessing care closer to home, like in Peten and Musanze. We saw the difference in the lives of patients such as Leana in Madagascar, Chris in Rwanda, Li in Mexico, Ihan and his mom in Colombia and Phuc’s family in Vietnam. Every new smile and story reflects the resilience of our patients and families, the dedication of our volunteers, and the support of donors and partners who help bring care within reach. 

9. Together, We are Building Hope 

In November, we launched We Build Hope, our first brand campaign, celebrating surgical scars as symbols of resilience, courage and access to care. Through powerful stories and visuals, the campaign highlights what is possible when safe surgical care is within reach — and why expanding access remains urgent.  

As we look back on 2025, we are filled with gratitude for every moment and every person who made this year possible. There is so much more to come. Here’s to more smiles, more stories, more hope and even greater impact in 2026 — together.