Operation Smile

File:US Navy 060704-N-1577S-002 Medical staff from Operation Smile and the Military Treatment Facility (MTF) aboard the Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), perform a cleft lip surgery.jpg, Bangladesh – Operation Smile team members aboard the Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19), perform a cleft lip surgery]]

Operation Smile was founded by William (Bill) and Kathleen (Kathy) Magee. In 1982 Bill Magee, a plastic surgeon, and Kathy Magee, who was then a social worker and a nurse, were invited to join a Philippine cleft repair mission with a group of medical volunteers.{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/operation-smile-launches-world-journey-of-hope-99-honduras-is-first-stop-on-historic-surgical-mission-to-help-children-in-18-countries-73630647.html |title=Operation Smile Launches World Journey of Hope '99; Honduras is First Stop on Historic Surgical Mission to Help Children in 18 Countries |website=PR Newswire |date=February 4, 1999 |access-date=November 27, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128060521/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/operation-smile-launches-world-journey-of-hope-99-honduras-is-first-stop-on-historic-surgical-mission-to-help-children-in-18-countries-73630647.html |archive-date=November 28, 2016}} When they realized that the group would not return to the Philippines though there were many remaining who needed surgery, they established Operation Smile, Bill Magee said,{{cite web |url=http://www.hourofpower.org/interviews/bill.magee.html |first=Lydia Rose |last=Proenza |title=Dr. William P. Magee's Operation Smile: 20 Years Putting Smiles on People's Faces |date=July 18, 2002 |website=Hour of Power |access-date=August 27, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020718171802/http://www.hourofpower.org/Interviews/bill.magee.html |archive-date=July 18, 2002}}

{{Quote|It was guilt ... We saw hundreds of children and saw many more turned away. We knew that this group was not planning to return. So we planned another trip, but when we saw how many people were suffering because of their facial deformities, we had to keep on going back. You can't help but be touched by things that we take as completely normal and all of a sudden become a monumental event in a child's life.}}

The Magee's completed two return trips to Naga City, treating 400 children.{{Cite web|url=https://brand.operationsmile.org/our-brand/history/|title=HISTORY|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-26}} In 1995, Operation Smile opened its first care center in Duitama, Colombia. After establishing headquarters in Norfolk, VA, Operation Smile began foundations in Australia, UK, Italy, Vietnam, and Ireland.

For each mission, Operation Smile verifies the credentials and organizes the participation and travel arrangements for a team of volunteers.{{Cite web |url=http://www.odu.edu/webroot/orgs/IA/university_news.nsf/articles/08222006081638AM |title=ODU Nursing Professor Travels to Bangladesh for medical diplomacy mission |date=August 22, 2006 |website=Old Dominion University News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060830222134/http://www.odu.edu/webroot/orgs/IA/university_news.nsf/articles/08222006081638AM |archive-date=August 30, 2006}} The team typically includes a mission site coordinator, plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, a pediatrician, an intensive care physician, head or coordinating nurse, pre- and post-op nurses, child development specialists, speech pathologists,{{Cite web |url=http://www.asha.org/Publications/leader/2001/011211/vietnam.htm |title=A Speech-Language Pathologist in Vietnam |first=Charlotte A. |last=Ducote |date=December 11, 2001 |website=American Speech-Language-Hearing Association |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506130847/http://www.asha.org/Publications/leader/2001/011211/vietnam.htm |archive-date=May 6, 2015}} dentists and/or orthodontists.

Operation Smile has hosted two global summits on medical standards in Norfolk, Virginia.{{cite news |url=http://hamptonroads.com/node/220781 |title=Operation Smile exports U.S. good will |date=February 10, 2007 |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |access-date=October 1, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508034827/http://hamptonroads.com/node/220781 |archive-date=May 8, 2009}}{{cite news |url=http://hamptonroads.com/node/220561 |title=Operation Smile to develop new care standards at local meeting |first=Elizabeth |last=Simpson |date=February 9, 2007 |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |access-date=October 1, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505190817/http://hamptonroads.com/node/220561 |archive-date=May 5, 2009}}

In 2001 a documentary on the work by Operation Smile won the Best Medical Documentary at the US Circle of Excellence Media Awards and was a finalist in the New York Film Festival Awards for Best Humanitarian Documentary. The Facemakers: Operation Smile is a co-production by BBC One and the Discovery Channel in conjunction with Century Films.{{cite web |url=http://www.centuryfilmsltd.com/the-facemakers.htm |title=The Facemakers |website=Century Films |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925042104/http://www.centuryfilmsltd.com/the-facemakers.htm |archive-date=September 25, 2015}}

In November 1999, specific patient deaths{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/nov/25/martinkettle |title=Charity faces inquiry on child deaths |first=Martin |last=Kettle |date=November 25, 1999 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=May 20, 2010}} brought criticism on Operation Smile's medical procedures.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/24/world/charges-of-shoddy-practices-taint-gifts-of-plastic-surgery.html |title=Charges of Shoddy Practices Taint Gifts of Plastic Surgery |first1=Reed |last1=Abelson |first2=Elisabeth |last2=Rosenthal |date=November 24, 1999 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=May 20, 2010}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/25/world/whirlwind-of-facial-surgery-by-foreigners-upsets-china.html |title=Whirlwind of Facial Surgery By Foreigners Upsets China |first1=Elisabeth |last1=Rosenthal |first2=Reed |last2=Abelson |date=November 25, 1999 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=May 20, 2010}} In response, Operation Smile conducted an internal review, whereupon the organization publicly acknowledged organizational flaws. The charity notified its chapters that it was enacting changes at the suggestion of an outside lawyer retained by the organization to review its conduct. The charity said it would step up efforts to hire a new chief executive and would add the position of chief medical officer. The charity also stated its intent to strengthen board supervision of its volunteer medical staff.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/12/business/charity-promises-sweeping-changes-after-review.html |title=Charity Promises Sweeping Changes After Review |first=Reed |last=Abelson |date=April 12, 2000 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=October 1, 2018}}

In early 2011, Smile Train and Operation Smile announced the two charities would merge,{{cite news

| url = http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smile-train-and-operation-smile-boards-agree-to-merge-116178239.html

| title = Smile Train and Operation Smile Boards Agree to Merge

| publisher = PR Newswire

| date=February 14, 2011

}}{{cite web

| url = http://hamptonroads.com/2011/02/operation-smile-and-smile-train-merge-charities

| title = Operation Smile and Smile Train to merge charities

| publisher = The Virginian Pilot, Pilotonline.com, February 15, 2011

}} followed three weeks later by announcements the merger had been aborted.{{cite news

| url = http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/07/business/07charity.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=operation%20smile&st=cse

| title = 2 Charities Set to End a Merger, Papers Say

| work = The New York Times

| date=March 6, 2011

}}

In 2009, the Virginian Pilot outlined in a publication, the history and differences between the two organizations.{{cite web | title = 'Smile' charity leaders in midst of decade-long feud | publisher = The Virginian Pilot, Elizabeth Simpson, December 20, 2009 | url = http://hamptonroads.com/2009/12/smile-charity-leaders-midst-decadelong-feud}}{{cite web

| title = 'Smile' charity leaders in midst of decade-long feud

| publisher = The Virginian Pilot, Elizabeth Simpson, December 20, 2009

| quote = The Richmond Times-Dispatch published the ad on Dec. 3, and Mullaney said he is considering running it in other publications.

| url = http://hamptonroads.com/2009/12/smile-charity-leaders-midst-decadelong-feud}}

Following the failed merger, Operation Smile "spun-off" the Operation Smile Foundation. The Foundation was renamed Stop Cleft International, a 501(c)3 organization. Stop Cleft International became a subsidiary of Smile Train in July, 2013. Operation Smile paid an agreed upon obligation of $4,000,000 to Stop Cleft International/Smile Train during tax year 2013.

• In 2011, Forbes ranked Operation Smile as the tenth "least efficient" large U.S. charity, tied with the Alzheimer's Association and just ahead in efficiency of the American Cancer Society. Forbes noted that "financial efficiency is far from the whole story when it comes to assessing a charity's vitality or even effectiveness."{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/williampbarrett/2011/11/30/least-charitable-bang-for-the-donors-buck/ |title=Least Charitable Bang For The Donor's Buck |first=William P. |last=Barrett |date=November 30, 2011 |website=Forbes |access-date=October 1, 2018}}
• Operation Smile spends 42% of the money donated to the charity on fundraising and administration, including a salary of $350,000 (and an additional $27,915 in other compensation) for its chief executive.{{cite news |url=http://hamptonroads.com/2013/11/two-sides-charity-competing-compassion |title=Two sides of charity: Competing, compassion |last=Simpson |first=Elizabeth |date=November 17, 2013 |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |access-date=October 1, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131118103503/http://hamptonroads.com/2013/11/two-sides-charity-competing-compassion |archive-date=November 18, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.operationsmile.org/downloadables/about-us/financials/fy14-990.pdf |title=Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990) |date=March 2, 2015 |website=Operation Smile |access-date=October 1, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402160645/http://www.operationsmile.org/downloadables/about-us/financials/fy14-990.pdf |archive-date=April 2, 2015}}
• The organization was listed with the Forbes 2005 200 Largest U.S. Charities.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/2005/14/Revenue_1.html |title=The 200 Largest U.S. Charities |date=2005 |website=Forbes |access-date=October 1, 2018}}
• Operation Smile is a member of the Independent Charities of America.{{cite web |url=http://www.independentcharities.org/search/findset.asp?Title=Title=View+Our+National+And+International+Members&c=n |title=View Our National And International Members |website=Independent Charities of America |access-date=October 1, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113045518/http://www.independentcharities.org/search/findset.asp?Title=Title=View+Our+National+And+International+Members&c=n |archive-date=January 13, 2012}}
• Operation Smile meets 19 of the 20 standards for charities established by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance,{{cite web |url=http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/human-services/operation-smile-in-norfolk-va-338 |title=Charity Report - Operation Smile |website=Better Business Bureau |access-date=October 1, 2018}} but fails to meet the "Compensated Board Members" standard, because two of the eleven board members (the husband and wife co-founders) are compensated directly or indirectly, which exceeds the standard's limit of 10%.

• A 2007 multimedia project featured a seven-story sphere at South Street Seaport in New York, NY.{{cite web |url=https://work.firstborn.com/work/139 |title=Microsoft Live / Operation Smile |website=Firstborn Multimedia |access-date=October 1, 2018}}
• Actress Roma Downey has been an ambassador for the Virginia-based nonprofit Operation Smile for 20 years.{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2016/biz/spotlight/roma-downeys-sweet-charity-1201834951/|title=Roma Downey works miracles with Operation Smile|last1=Littleton|first1=Cynthia|date=2016-08-11|newspaper=Variety|access-date=2019-03-08}}
• Singer Mariah Carey volunteered for The Smile Collection fundraising event in New York in 2006.{{Cite web |url=http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=25106&cat=10 |title=Operation Smile Announces New Smile Ambassadors; Celebrities Continue To Join Effort Marking 25th Anniversary |date=October 12, 2007 |website=TransWorldNews.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024191433/http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=25106&cat=10 |archive-date=October 24, 2007}}
• Operation Smile is referenced repeatedly on Bravo's teen reality show NYC Prep.{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/ilovetowatch/2009/07/nyc-prep-mona-lisa-smile.html |title=NYC Prep Mona Lisa Smile |first=Cristina |last=Kinon |date=July 22, 2009 |newspaper=New York Daily News}}
• In 2016, Kate Hudson accepted the Universal Smile Award for her long time support with Operation Smile.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/scene/vpage/kate-hudson-operation-smile-gala-1201773839/|title=Kate Hudson Honored by Operation Smile for Years of Support|last1=Van-Syckle|first1=Katie|last2=Van-Syckle|first2=Katie|date=2016-05-13|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-03-12}}

• In 2002, Operation Smile was featured in a Mr. Potato Head contest, with proceeds to benefit the NGO.{{Cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2002/03/18/newscolumn4.html |title=Waiting for that winning smile to pay off? This spud's for you |first=Danek S. |last=Kaus |date=March 17, 2002 |newspaper=Silicon Valley Business Journal |access-date=October 1, 2018}} Hasbro donated Mr. Potato Head toys for Operation Smile missions.{{Cite web |url=http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6461046.html |title=Hasbro supports Smiles |website=Playthings.com |date=July 17, 2007 |access-date=February 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222201138/http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6461046.html |archive-date=December 22, 2007 |url-status=dead }}
• Operation Smile has had co-branding campaigns with Sephora{{Cite web |url=http://www.reingold.com/marketing/sephora.html |title=Operation Smile/Sephora |access-date=2008-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513183059/http://www.reingold.com/marketing/sephora.html |archive-date=2008-05-13 |url-status=dead }} and AriZona Iced Tea.{{Cite web|url=https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/arizona-gives-back-new-kidz-teas-106141/|title=AriZona Gives Back with New Kidz Teas|last1=Glowatz|first1=Elana|date=July 21, 2009|website=www.adweek.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-12}}
• In February 2018, Operation Smile partnered with Lay’s potato chips.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cspdailynews.com/snacks-candy/lays-launches-operation-smile|title=Lay's Launches Operation Smile|date=February 9, 2018|first=Brett|last=Dworski|website=CSP Daily News|language=en|access-date=2019-03-12}}
• In March 2024, Operation Smile partnered with Mr. Beast to create a video on his YouTube channel Beast Philanthropy, to educate about cleft lip and palate and about the work of Operation Smile itself.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-13 |title=MrBeast, Operation Smile and Cleft Palates |url=https://www.medangel.org/mrbeast-operation-smile-and-cleft-palates/ |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=Angels in Medicine |language=en-US}}

In 2007, Operation Smile announced relocation of its headquarters from Norfolk, Virginia to a new building in Virginia Beach.{{cite news |url=http://hamptonroads.com/node/343671 |title=Operation Smile moving from Norfolk to new Beach building |first=Richard |last=Quinn |date=October 11, 2007 |work=The Virginian-Pilot |access-date=October 1, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508035443/http://hamptonroads.com/node/343671 |archive-date=May 8, 2009}}

• Cleft lip and palate organisations
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons|Special:Search/Operation Smile}}

• {{Official website|http://www.operationsmile.org/}}
• [http://www.hoovers.com/operation-smile/--ID__118956--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml?cm_ven=PAID&cm_cat=INK&cm_pla=CO1&cm_ite=operation-smile Operation Smile at Hoovers.com]

{{Cleft lip and palate}}

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Category:International charities

Category:Health charities in the United States

Category:Oral and maxillofacial surgery organizations

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Virginia Beach, Virginia

Category:1982 establishments in Virginia

Category:Medical and health organizations based in Virginia