History and Mission
- Operation Smile founded by William and Kathleen Magee in 1982
- Non-profit medical services organization
- Provides free cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries to children
- Aims to improve access to safe surgical care for children in low-income countries
- Has conducted missions in 18 countries
Global Impact
- Over 240,000 surgical procedures performed worldwide
- Trained over 5,000 local medical professionals
- Conducts medical missions in underserved areas
- Collaborates with local healthcare providers and governments
- Focuses on building sustainable healthcare infrastructure
Recognition and Partnerships
- Accredited by the Better Business Bureau
- Member of Independent Charities of America
- Partnerships with corporate sponsors like Microsoft, Hasbro, and Sephora
- Collaborates with local NGOs and healthcare organizations
- Receives support from celebrities like Kate Hudson and Roma Downey
Controversies and Challenges
- Faced criticism for child deaths during missions in 1999
- Implemented changes and improvements in response to the criticism
- Experienced a decade-long feud between charity leaders
- Merged with Smile Train in 2011 to enhance impact and efficiency
- Continues to face challenges in providing sustainable healthcare solutions
Fundraising and Expansion
- Relocated headquarters to Virginia Beach in 2007
- Utilizes various fundraising campaigns and events
- Collaborates with corporate partners for fundraising initiatives
- Expands its reach through media and awareness campaigns
- Continues to grow and expand its programs globally
Operation Smile is a nonprofit medical service organization founded in 1982 by William P. Magee Jr. and his wife Kathleen (Kathy) S. Magee. It is headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
 | |
| Formation | 1982 |
|---|---|
| Founders | William P. Magee Jr. Kathleen S. Magee |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Headquarters | Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S. |
| William P. Magee Jr. | |
| Kathleen S. Magee | |
| Website | www.operationsmile.org |
In addition to providing cleft lip and palate repair surgeries to children worldwide, Operation Smile works as a non-governmental organization to reduce the occurrence of cleft lips and palates worldwide.
Operation Smile has provided over 220,000 surgeries for children and young adults born with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities in over 60 countries since 1982, at no cost to the recipients. As of 2018, Operation Smile provided on-going care around the world at 34 smile centers. According to its tax report, Operation Smile completed 156 medical missions in 80 sites globally, including 13 sites in extremely poor regions. During missions, over 35,000 dental procedures were performed in the year 2018.
