Operation Smile

Operation Smile We are a global nonprofit, delivering cleft care and working to ensure that every child has access to safe and timely essential surgery.
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At Operation Smile, we believe safe, essential surgery is a human right. For over 40 years, we have transformed lives and strengthened health systems around the world. Our work began when Dr. Bill Magee, a plastic surgeon, and Kathy Magee, a nurse and social worker, traveled to the Philippines on a surgical program to provide cleft surgeries for children, inspiring them to create Operation Smile.

Today, we operate in 37 countries, partnering with local volunteers, medical leaders, ministries of health, universities and organizations to bring essential surgical and comprehensive care closer to patients’ homes, train and support local professionals, and build lasting care for the communities we serve.

It's Friday! Today, we are proud to bring you updates on a training we recently provided in the .Last month, we concl...
06/19/2026

It's Friday! Today, we are proud to bring you updates on a training we recently provided in the .

Last month, we concluded our second Asia Regional Nurse Development Training in Cebu, Philippines, bringing together 50 nurses for a three-day program focused on strengthening clinical expertise, and regional collaboration.

Designed to equip participants with the tools needed to deliver safe, high-quality patient care, the training featured sessions on patient safety, updated global standards, infection prevention and control, emergency response, and nursing care across the operating room, post-anesthesia care unit, and pre- and post-operative settings. Participants also shared experiences from their own healthcare systems, exchanged best practices with colleagues, and explored topics such as leadership and the challenges of nurse migration. Interactive activities encouraged collaboration and reflection, while hands-on simulations at the Cebu Center of Excellence provided opportunities to apply new skills in realistic clinical environments.

A heartfelt thank you to our participants, our facilitators, Johnson & Johnson and the Operation Smile Philippines team for making this training possible. Together, we are advancing patient safety and building more resilient health systems across Asia.

For the first 15 days of Fadi's life, he was kept hidden at home. When Fadi was born with a lip, his parents were scar...
06/18/2026

For the first 15 days of Fadi's life, he was kept hidden at home. When Fadi was born with a lip, his parents were scared and unsure of where to turn for help.

Everything changed when they connected with Operation Smile Morocco and discovered they were not alone. Determined to give their son every opportunity to thrive, Fadi's mother, Fatna, brought him to Operation Smile in Casablanca every 15 days until he was old enough for surgery.

At just 6 months old, the day his familiy had been waiting for finally arrived, and Fadi received surgery for his cleft lip.

Today, Fadi is thriving. He loves school and enjoys playing soccer and basketball with his friends.

Your support helps more children like Fadi access safe surgery and comprehensive care. Visit operationsmile.org to help create more smiles and brighter futures.

This week's highlights the transformative impact of Operation Smile worldwide. Fayza's mother, Hayat, felt more hopef...
06/17/2026

This week's highlights the transformative impact of Operation Smile worldwide.

Fayza's mother, Hayat, felt more hopeful after one phone call with Operation Smile Morocco. After a 12-hour bus ride, Fayza received the she was waiting for.

Julissa, who learned about cleft conditions when her daughter Mercedes was born, found hope through surgery and care from Operation Smile Bolivia.

And in Mexico, Britany's unexpected cleft conditions led to cleft lip surgery, followed by a surgery for her cleft palate two years later.

Learn how YOU can help provide new for children like Fayza, Mercedes and Britany by visiting operationsmile.org/SwipeforSmiles.

Going to school in the Philippines was difficult for Alijay. He looked different than the other kids, which made him an ...
06/14/2026

Going to school in the Philippines was difficult for Alijay. He looked different than the other kids, which made him an easy target for bullies.

“They call me ‘cleft,’” Alijay said. “But I tell them, ‘Don’t call me cleft. That is not my name. My name is Alijay.’”

When the family learned that Operation Smile Philippines was hosting a surgical program nearby and helping children like Alijay at no cost, his father began working extra shifts in the fields to pay for transportation so they could reach the medical team.

Alijay received his operation, and afterwards Alijay returned to school with renewed confidence. Today, the bullying and hurtful comments are only a distant memory.

Learn how YOU can help provide new for children like Alijay by visiting operationsmile.org/SundaySmiles.

Sebastian’s first visit to Operation Smile came when he was just 10 days old. His first surgeries came two years later, ...
06/11/2026

Sebastian’s first visit to Operation Smile came when he was just 10 days old. His first surgeries came two years later, and he has received ongoing speech and oral care. Now 6 years old, Sebastian received his third recently.

“It’s a long journey, but it’s not impossible,” his mom, María, reflects. “It’s a team effort from both the experts and parents.”

Read about their journey at https://bit.ly/3SlK4Md.

Operation Smile works to ease parents' fears and provide for their children’s future. Kwankaew’s greatest fear for her...
06/10/2026

Operation Smile works to ease parents' fears and provide for their children’s future.

Kwankaew’s greatest fear for her baby, Pailin, was that she would grow to live a life of unhappiness because of her condition. It was only after she heard a radio commercial for Operation Smile that she first felt hope for her little girl’s future. She called, and soon after, baby Pailin was scheduled for a life-transforming surgery.

In , Elisa’s family had a long journey to reach our surgical program in Tamatave: a 2-mile walk, a 17-mile ride in a TukTuk, a 45-mile van ride and then a 150-mile van ride. But, after undergoing surgery for her cleft lip, Elisa's life was changed forever, and her parents were overjoyed by the support they received from our volunteers along the way. When Elisa’s family journeyed to a closer city the next year for Elisa’s cleft palate surgery, they brought other in need of cleft care with them, so that Operation Smile could help them too.

Fearing for his survival, Leoncio's mother faced immense stress and worry as breastfeeding her newborn son was not possible due to his cleft lip. However, with unwavering support from an aunt and a close friend, they discovered Operation Smile . Once old and strong enough, Leoncio was scheduled for a life-changing operation.

Learn how YOU can help create new for children like Pailin, Elisa and Leoncio by visiting operationsmile.org/SwipeforSmiles.

When Mario and Daisy’s fourth child, W***y Joel, was born, they were both sad to see that he had a lip just like his g...
06/07/2026

When Mario and Daisy’s fourth child, W***y Joel, was born, they were both sad to see that he had a lip just like his grandfather. However, they were comforted when they were told Operation Smile would be able to help them.

When W***y Joel was 3 months old, they brought him to Operation Smile in Tegucigalpa and spoke to different health professionals about their son’s care and surgical options. A few days later, W***y Joel received his life-changing surgery, and both Mario and Daisy shed tears of relief and joy when they saw his beautiful new smile.

Today, W***y Joel's future is bright! He loves school, especially math and Spanish, and enjoys playing soccer with all his friends.

Learn how YOU can help provide new for people like W***y Joel by visiting operationsmile.org/SundaySmiles.

It's Friday! Today, we are proud to bring you an update on a training we recently provided in .This week, our team we...
06/05/2026

It's Friday! Today, we are proud to bring you an update on a training we recently provided in .

This week, our team welcomed over 170 participants representing 13 countries across Latin America and the Carribean with specialities in oral health, speech and language, psychosocial support, and nutrition.

The energy in the room was inspiring. It was encouraging to see so many dedicated providers come together with a shared goal: helping more patients access the care and support they need to thrive.

This training marks the fifth regional comprehensive care training held globally.

Learn more about our work at operationsmile.org.

When Lisette was born with a lip, the doctor told her mother, Jenny, that was possible and that the hospital would h...
06/04/2026

When Lisette was born with a lip, the doctor told her mother, Jenny, that was possible and that the hospital would help her. A few months later, Jenny was told about Operation Smile.

Jenny knew that there were others with cleft conditions, but she was shocked to see so many families with children like Lisette when she arrived at the hospital for Lisette’s comprehensive health evaluation.

Lisette was scheduled for surgery, and Jenny, while anxious, knew that everything would go well in the operating room.

Today, Jenny looks back at that day and remembers her emotions when she saw Lisette for the first time with her new smile. She remembers marveling at the change in Lisette in such a short time.

Learn how you can help more children like Lisette by visiting operationsmile.org.

A lip or cleft palate surgery is so much more than just an operation: It’s a procedure that can completely transform a...
06/03/2026

A lip or cleft palate surgery is so much more than just an operation: It’s a procedure that can completely transform a life.

Twice baby Afia of was too ill to be scheduled for surgery. Then, at 23 months old, her mother’s third attempt to get her scheduled for surgery was successful. The surgery transformed the community's perceptions of the toddler. "When we came back, no one treated her like she was cursed," her mother said.

It wasn’t until Herve of was 24 years old that he learned it was possible to have surgery to treat his lip. He had never left his home village, so he’d always thought he was the only person in the world that looked like this. When Herve came for his surgery, he was accompanied by Christine, a friend. A few months after his surgery, Christine and Herve were married.

Returning home from the delivery room, concerned neighbors and friends asked Riselle of if her new baby, Ricardo, would live long. Ten months later, Operation Smile held a program Santarem. After a successful operation, Riselle looked at her son and marveled at his beautiful new face.

Learn how YOU can help create new for more people like Afia, Herva and Ricardo at operationsmile.org/SwipeforSmiles.

Address

3641 Faculty Boulevard
Virginia Beach, VA
23453

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17573217645

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