Operation Smile is a global nonprofit medical service organization founded in 1982 by William P. Magee Jr. and Kathleen S. Magee. Headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, it focuses on providing free cleft lip and palate repair surgeries to children and young adults worldwide. The organization also works as a non-governmental entity aimed at reducing the prevalence of cleft lips and palates globally.
The founders, a plastic surgeon and a nurse/social worker, started Operation Smile after witnessing the unmet need for cleft surgeries during a mission trip to the Philippines in 1982. Motivated by the urgency and scale of the problem, they committed to continuous efforts to return and provide surgical care to children who would otherwise be left untreated. This dedication led to establishing multiple care centers and surgical programs worldwide.
Since its inception, Operation Smile has delivered over 350,000 surgeries across more than 60 countries, operating with a vast network of approximately 6,000 volunteers from around the world. The organization has expanded its presence internationally, with significant milestones including opening surgical programs in countries such as China, Colombia, Brazil, and Bolivia, and care centers like the first one in Duitama, Colombia in 1995.
In addition to surgeries, Operation Smile provides ongoing care through numerous smile centers globally, ensuring long-term support for patients with facial deformities. The organization consistently receives high ratings for its effectiveness and transparency, exemplified by a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.
Operation Smile’s work not only improves physical health and appearance but also enhances the quality of life, self-esteem, and social inclusion for children affected by cleft conditions. It relies heavily on volunteer medical professionals, donors, and partnerships to sustain its mission of increasing access to safe surgery and cleft care worldwide.