Operation Smile

09/04/2026

Families traveling for cleft care often come from hours away, and having a safe place to rest can make all the difference. In Mossoró, Brazil, Operation Smile’s partnership with the Albem Edson Oliveira Shelter helps ensure families have the support they need during their time away from home.

For the past eight years, shelter founder and coordinator Elizabeth Duarte has worked alongside Operation Smile to care for patients and caregivers with compassion. Together, they provide essentials like food, lodging and showers, helping families feel supported while they wait for screenings, surgery and follow-up appointments.

In uncertain moments, compassion can be as powerful as care. Together, we help families feel supported, hopeful and never alone on their journey.

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

In Guatemala, young surgeons like Dr. Ivania Santos are stepping up to meet the need for specialized cleft care.

Guided by mentor Dr. Valeri Paredes, she is building her expertise in cleft surgery, performing procedures side by side and helping strengthen local surgical capacity. Together, they’re expanding access to high-quality care while bringing treatment closer to the patients who need it most.

By investing in the education, training and development of healthcare professionals, we’re helping build a stronger, locally led health workforce that will continue delivering high-quality cleft care for generations to come.

09/02/2026

On September 20th, Carter White and his friends will be swimming, biking, and running IRONMAN Cozumel in Mexico, to raise money for Operation Smile. His goal? 70 Miles for 70 Smiles!
https://secure.operationsmile.org/site/TR/SmileFund/SmileFund?px=3442288&pg=personal&fr_id=3054&new_registrant=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawUFWkpwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMWVRNm1mMWRVSTYweFR5QVpzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeqVEGUqNjV587YQLKH7PON-q11poVt9rdsgO-Fo-EJcTLPje1EjhEJl38YlY_aem_53KZo9t2RMz_BvNWLA0b-g

Carter joins many Operation Smile supporters who have put their athletic skill to use to help transform the lives of patients with conditions around the world. As a child, Carter was operated on by our co-founder Dr. William P. Magee, Jr., and that experience later inspired him to travel to Malawi to work alongside our medical teams. There he "saw firsthand just how much a single procedure can change a child's life, restoring not just their smile, but their ability to eat, speak, and be fully included in their community."

You can support Carter's race through September 23, 2026.

09/02/2026

Behind every child who receives care is a community of people dedicated to making that journey possible. Across Latin America, more than 1,140 volunteers generously share their time, expertise and compassion to help expand access to safe surgical and comprehensive cleft care.

From preparing a child for surgery to providing ongoing comprehensive care and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals, our volunteers are helping strengthen local health systems and create healthier futures across the region.

To every volunteer, from experienced healthcare professionals to the next generation of changemakers, thank you. Your dedication is changing lives and creating lasting impact for children, families and communities throughout Latin America.

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

For many families in Brazil, accessing essential surgical care means long journeys far from home. Operation Smile is closing that gap by strengthening local health systems and bringing safe, high-quality care closer to the communities.

Through Operation 100, cleft operative teams receive specialized training, equipment and stronger hospital infrastructure to provide care closer to patients. In Northeast Brazil, Mossoró is one example where families from surrounding rural areas can receive care locally and, when needed, be referred to the larger network for continued treatment. By training local providers and strengthening infrastructure, we're fostering sustainable health systems and creating lasting impact for patients and their families.

08/31/2026

A cleft care journey is about more than surgery. For children with cleft conditions, nutrition is an essential part of comprehensive care.

In Guatemala, this is an important part of the care provided by Operation Smile’s team in Petén. Volunteer nutritionist Anayosell Castellanos works closely with children experiencing acute to severe malnutrition, supporting families with nutritional guidance and supplements to help children grow stronger.

Across Latin America, multidisciplinary teams bring together expertise in areas of care to support addressing the diverse needs of patients and families throughout their care journey.

08/30/2026

For nearly 45 years, Operation Smile has worked alongside local leaders and partners across Latin America to expand access to safe, quality surgical and comprehensive cleft care. Today, our work spans 12 countries across the region.

Health care professionals, ministries of health, volunteers and other partners are helping shape solutions that respond to community needs. Together, we are strengthening health systems, investing in local expertise and supporting holistic care that considers patients and families beyond surgery.

This is what means to us: working in partnership to support local leadership and expand access to comprehensive care that creates lasting impact.

This week, we will highlight the people, partnerships and programs shaping this work and how communities are making quality care more accessible and sustainable. Thank you to everyone who makes this work possible and helps bring care closer to home.