Operation Smile

Today, #AfricaDay, represents for us a shared mission to expand access to #safesurgery and strengthen health systems across the continent. Together, we can bring care closer to home, build local health capacity and create brighter futures. Learn more: bit.ly/3PSrWJb

5 billion people lack access to safe, affordable surgical care, especially in remote communities. A feature in @TheLancet highlights how we're expanding access through investing in training, partnerships & providers in Peru. Read more: bit.ly/3PSpEtw #GlobalSurgeryDay

Proud to share we received multiple honors at the 47th Annual @TellyAwards, with 3 Gold, 5 Silver and 2 Bronze awards for our video pieces from Vietnam highlighting the stories of our patients and work in expanding access to care. Learn more: bit.ly/2JOxFvU #TellyAwards

Born in Belize with a cleft palate, Jonathan had to travel to #Guatemala for specialized care. Through our #TranscendingBorders initiative, we work to ensure more children like him can access life-changing care, regardless of where they’re born. Learn more:bit.ly/4umgww6

Proud to share we’re featured in an @TheLancet article by @JacquiThornton, highlighting our work to strengthen health systems and train local health providers in Peru. Through #Operation100, we’re building local capacity and expanding access to care: bit.ly/3RH7M5i

On #InternationalDayofFamilies, we recognize the vital role families play in a child’s health. For children with cleft conditions, care often begins with a caregiver seeking answers. At Operation Smile, we support them at every stage of care. Read more: bit.ly/3MjqldK

Bubbles help children with cleft conditions by easing pre-surgery anxiety & supporting speech development through play. Simple tools like these play an important role in comprehensive care that helps our patients speak & thrive. Read more: bit.ly/4tuYPtc via @Upworthy

Nurses play an essential role in safe surgical care, supporting patients and communities worldwide. We asked some of our volunteer nurses what inspired them to pursue nursing and heard powerful reflections on compassion and care. Learn more: bit.ly/4wI9rYH #NursesWeek

Behind every surgery is a nurse making care possible. This #InternationalNursesDay, we recognize nurse volunteers like Florence Mangula, aka “Mama Africa,” whose compassion and dedication help expand access to care across Africa. Read more: bit.ly/4wI9rYH #NursesWeek

Cleft Resource Hub 🤍 @operationsmile youtu.be/XbAypD1UGI0?si…

Finally on @spotify and all streaming platforms! Save, play and share ‘Keep On Smiling’ everywhere! #Carmit #KeepOnSmiling @operationsmile

This #MothersDay, we honor the mothers whose hope and determination help their children access cleft care and brighter futures. Their stories show what’s possible when compassion and community come together. Read more: bit.ly/3R1aRNm #OperationSmile #HealthForAll

Every mother carries hope for her child’s future. For Hessy, that hope carried her through health issues & a cleft diagnosis for her baby, Angely. After surgery, their scars became #badgesofhope. This #MothersDay, we honor the hope mothers like her carry: bit.ly/3QRqeYJ

Join us on May 19 at 10 AM EDT for a live #webinar titled “Helping Babies Breathe (HBB): Leveraging Operation Smile Partnerships for Implementation, Dissemination and Sustainability of Essential Newborn Care Education Programs.” Register now: bit.ly/4ngR2O3

Happy #InternationalBubbleBlowingDay! Blowing bubbles is a simple joy many children share. For children with cleft conditions, it can take practice to master this skill. See how speech therapists use play-based moments like this to support development: bit.ly/4d7GVqa

For children born with cleft conditions, communication shapes how they connect and experience the world. In Peru, Milagros Rojas has spent 25+ years supporting speech & language development through play-based care and training local providers. Read more: bit.ly/4n7krdr

Join us May 12 at 10 AM EST for a live #webinar with Tina Chisenga from @ECSA_HC. She’ll explore regional progress toward the Lancet Commission’s surgical workforce target, highlighting successes, gaps & solutions to increase access to care. Register now: bit.ly/4tCe7gq

Recently, our colleagues published a new article in @jogs_one highlighting how integrated emergency, critical, and operative (ECO) care can reduce preventable deaths and strengthen health systems across the #PAHO region. Read more: bit.ly/4w1AFsS #HealthforAll #Research

A national leader in maternal and newborn health, Dr. Fetiya Awol reflects on how mentorship and leadership pathways for women in medicine help expand access to care. When women are supported to lead, more sustainable health systems follow. Read more: bit.ly/48cW9sy

Earlier this month, we hosted a Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Nurse Development Training in Kenya, bringing together 75 nurses for 3 days of learning, #leadership & hands-on clinical practice. Grateful to our partners @JNJNews for their support in strengthening #nursingleadership!