Operation Smile is a non-profit organization founded in 1982 that provides cleft lip and cleft palate surgery to children globally. It focuses on serving communities with limited access to surgical care. The organization operates medical missions and care centers, conducts advocacy and training programs, and supports research. Its vision is for every child to have access to exceptional surgical care regardless of ability to pay. The Georgia Tech chapter of Operation Smile aims to spread awareness of cleft conditions, raise funds for surgeries, encourage student interest in craniofacial issues, and provide local and global service opportunities.

1. Georgia Tech
Operation Smile

2. Defects
• Cleft lip: opening in upper
lip that may extend to the
nose (opening may be on
one side, both sides, or in
the middle)
• Cleft palate: roof of the
mouth contains an opening
into the nose

3. Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
•Risk Factors
• Smoking during
pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Older mother
• Obesity
• Causes
• Mostly Unknown
• Complications
• feeding, speech, and
hearing problems
• frequent ear
infections
• social stigma

4. Global Need
• 2 billion people lack access to any surgical care
• Billions more lack access to safe and well-timed surgery
• Only 4% of an estimated 234 million surgical procedures
performed each year go to the poorest third of the global
population

5. • When:1982
• By whom: Dr.William Magee, Jr. (plastic surgeon) and his
wife Kathleen (nurse and social worker)
"People pushed their babies at us.They tugged at our
sleeves with tears in their eyes and begged us to help their
children.”

6. Vision of Operation Smile
• Operation Smiles believes that every child deserves
exceptional surgical care
No child is a statistic.
• “Strive towards a world where no parent has to tell their
child that there is no solution or that there is no hope”

7. Following theVision: Medical Programs
• Every country and community has different conditions
• Operation Smile works with local medical professionals,
governments, hospitals and other NGOs
• Goal: to provide the most effective surgical care to
patients worldwide

8. Types of Medical Programs
INTERNATIONAL
AND LOCAL
MEDICAL
MISSIONS
ADVOCACY
TRAININGAND
EDUCATION
RESEARCH
PROGRAMS
CARE CENTERS

10. All of Us can Make a Difference
Donations (in order to fund
surgeries, which are only $240
because of the great amount of
volunteer medical professionals)
Volunteer in medical missions
and care centers
Spread the great message of Operation Smile
Community fundraisers and
service projects
Promote growth by opening
chapters at high schools,
colleges, etc. in order to get the
future generation involved

11. Our Part:
Operation Smile, GeorgiaTech Chapter
The purpose of this organization shall be:
• To spread awareness of craniofacial deformities and
raise funds to provide surgeries
• To encourage professional interest among college
students in the area of craniofacial deformities
• To provide service opportunities for children in the
United States and worldwide
• To provide awareness to students and faculty
members
• To provide leadership opportunities within and
outside of United States borders

12. We Could Really UseYour Help!
• Like and share the Facebook page!
• Apply to become a Committee or
Officer
• Attend fundraising and service
events
• Donate, so that we may spread the
mission to a greater population, and
spread smiles throughout the world!