Operation Smile

Join us on September 10 at 2:00 PM UTC for an inspiring Operation Smile Academy live #webinar featuring Dr. Padmini Murthy MD , MPH , MS, FAMWA , FRSPH, from New York Medical College, a globally recognized physician and public health expert. This session, titled "Leading the Charge: How Women are Transforming Global Health," will draw on Dr. Murthy's experience as the Global Health Lead of the American Medical Women's Association (AMWA). She will discuss how women are at the forefront of transforming #globalhealth, highlighting their vital role in advancing #healthcare access, equity, and outcomes worldwide. The session will also explore strategies and innovations driving these advancements and provide insights into the pivotal role women play in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on good health and reduced inequalities. Register for the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/dVbfhPg9 Sign up for an Operation Smile Academy account to receive a certificate of attendance: https://lnkd.in/egH3ZCDh

Join us on September 4 at 10:00 AM EST for an insightful webinar event on "Championing Change: Advocacy for Global Surgery Challenges," presented in collaboration with the Nkafu Policy Institute and University of Global Health Equity. In this session, Dr. RONALD GOBINA, Director of Health Policy at the Nkafu Policy Institute, will moderate a discussion with our esteemed Global Surgery Advocacy Fellows: Dr. Tinsae Abera Worku, MD, MGHD from the Gender Equity Initiative in Global Surgery, Dr. Pierrette Ngutete Mukundwa from the University of Global Health Equity, and Dr. Juan Carlos Gallego Palacio from Fundación Valle del Lili and Universidad ICESI. Gain valuable insights into the critical challenges and innovative solutions in global surgery. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity! Register for the event here: https://lnkd.in/e58AKV7D  

Last week, we hosted our Latin America & Caribbean (LAC) Nurse Leadership Training in Lima, Peru, from August 23 to 25. This event brought together 98 nurses from 13 countries, including 17 facilitators and 81 trainees, in a collaborative environment aimed at advancing skills in OR, PACU, and pre- and post-operative care. Through the training, participants had the opportunity to strengthen their #leadership abilities and refine their skills in critical areas of patient care. The program featured sessions on global safety and standards, cleft conditions, nursing leadership, surgical risk assessment, and key anesthesia principles. Workshops delved into perioperative care, infection prevention, emergency management in the operating room, and pain assessment and management, emphasizing the importance of handling emergencies and pain effectively in a surgical setting. To build on these learnings, participants were also introduced to the Johnson & Johnson Mentorship Program, designed to further develop and apply the knowledge gained during the training. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants, facilitators, our Operación Sonrisa Perú team, Johnson & Johnson, and everyone involved in making this training a success. Through comprehensive #training and #mentorship programs, we are strengthening the nursing workforce to address diverse healthcare needs and drive positive change in communities across the region. Special thanks to geraldine almanza, Karina Olivo, Rocio Del Carmen Chumpitaz Almeyda, Silvia Natch Bolonhini, Vivian Alexandra Barreto Gaitan, Elizabeth Coté, Emma Livingston, and Johanssel Gonzalez Cid.

Earlier this month, Operation Smile Ethiopia hosted a #breastfeeding awareness event at Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC), bringing together over 30 mothers and caregivers of children with cleft conditions. The event, featuring local medical leaders, aimed to highlight the health benefits of breastfeeding, emphasize the importance of support, and provide essential resources to help these families navigate the unique challenges they face.     Our Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Director, Abiy Semunigus (MSC, MPH,PhD Fellow), opened the event by discussing our commitment to enhancing breastfeeding practices and the comprehensive support we offer to mothers and caregivers. Dr. Hunde Ahmed, a pediatrician and Chief Clinical Officer at JUMC, underscored the crucial role of breastfeeding in infants' growth and health, highlighting its integration into our #nutrition interventions. Additionally, nutritionist Mohammed Abubeker and Dr. Aneso Mohammed (MD, Pediatrician), both Operation Smile volunteers, shared valuable insights on techniques specifically tailored for children with cleft conditions, empowering attendees with the knowledge and tools needed for their breastfeeding journey.     We are deeply grateful everyone involved in this event for their invaluable contributions. Together, we can continue to provide essential nutritional care and breastfeeding counseling to our patients and their families.      #OperationSmile #365daysofcare #NationalBreastfeedingMonth

Last month, on July 25, Operation Smile, in collaboration with the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Ministry Of Health, Ghana, hosted a virtual event discussing Ghana’s national surgical, obstetric, and anesthesia plans. The session, which attracted over a hundred participants including doctors, surgeons, critical care nurses, biomedical engineers, and anesthesiologists from across Ghana, was both highly interactive and educational. Our Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer, Dr. Ruben Ayala, played a key role with a presentation on the World Health Organization's Integrated Emergency Critical Operative Care Resolution and its integration into national health plans. Delivered from the perspective of a humanitarian organization, Dr. Ayala focused on enhancing access, availability, and quality of surgical care for children with cleft conditions as part of broader #healthsystem support. He emphasized that addressing widespread population needs requires collaboration among emergency, critical, and operative care services, which are vital components of a comprehensive primary #healthcare system. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the speakers, including Professor Afua Hesse, Dr. Dela Dovlo, and Dr. John Nkrumah Mills, as well as to everyone who attended and contributed to the event’s success. Together, we can continue to advance and strengthen health systems. #OperationSmile #HealthforAll #ECOcare

We’re excited to share this insightful blog post by Ashley Myles, MSW, our Senior Program Manager of Nutrition and Comprehensive Care, which highlights the crucial role of #breastfeeding support for children with cleft conditions. At Operation Smile, we understand the unique challenges these infants and their families face and are committed to providing the specialized care and education needed to address them. Healthcare professionals like Tereza Sigaud Soares Palmeira play a crucial role in these efforts. As an Operation Smile pediatrician, Regional Medical Officer, and #nutrition volunteer from Brazil, Tereza has been instrumental in advancing breastfeeding education within our organization. Over the past year, she has led specialized training sessions for more than 30 nutrition volunteers, equipping them with the skills to support caregivers in their regions. Through these trainings and workshops, Tereza and her colleagues are significantly enhancing the care available to families, ensuring they receive comprehensive support throughout their breastfeeding journeys and improving outcomes for our patients born with cleft conditions. We extend our thanks to Ashley Myles, MSW for crafting this impactful article, which showcases our ongoing efforts in providing breastfeeding support. Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/e5y4pYp4 #OperationSmile #365DaysofCare #NationalBreastfeedingMonth

We are honored to share that the United Nations Global Surgery Learning Hub has recognized our AmoSmile collaboration as the Community of Practice Highlight for August 2024!  Developed originally through the Global Surgery Training Challenge by Intuitive Foundation, MIT Solve and ChallengeWorks, AmoSmile is a partnership between Operation Smile and Amodisc ltd that combines clinical expertise and advanced technology to enhance #surgicaleducation. Our goal is to build #healthcare providers' skills in local flap surgeries, which are essential for treating burns, trauma, cancer and congenital conditions. By offering high-quality, freely accessible training modules, AmoSmile addresses critical surgical needs in low- and middle-income countries and strengthens the reconstructive surgery workforce.    The initiative employs a mixed-methods approach, combining online learning with hands-on practice. Our online curriculum features self-directed learning modules with step-by-step simulations and competency tracking, while a low-cost physical simulator provides practical experience. This integrated approach allows surgical practitioners to master reconstructive techniques, enhancing their skills and impact regardless of their location, specialty or resources.  We extend our heartfelt thanks to Amodisc ltd, The Global Surgery Foundation, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and our entire team for their invaluable contributions. This recognition underscores the effectiveness of our collaborative efforts and innovative approach in advancing surgical training. Through our partnership, we can continue to improve #surgicalcare and make a lasting impact worldwide.  To access the training curriculum, click here: https://lnkd.in/e6gaJWjX

We are thrilled to share that this week Operation Smile Rwanda hosted its inaugural dental program in Kigali! In partnership with the University of Rwanda, this event brought together a dedicated team of international and local dentists, along with student volunteers, to advance #oralhealth in the community. Through the program, our patients received essential dental services such as cleanings, fillings, extractions, Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) applications, and endodontic procedures, complemented by oral hygiene instructions and tools. The program also featured a crucial educational component for attending dentists and volunteers, including presentations on the benefits of SDF and bioactive materials for pediatric patients, orthognathic surgery, and the role dentists play in treating infants with cleft conditions. Additionally, a workshop on obturator and speech appliance fabrication was conducted to further develop the skills of local practitioners. This comprehensive approach not only provided vital #dentalcare but also laid the foundation for long-term improvements in dental practices and patient outcomes. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the University of Rwanda, Operation Smile Rwanda staff, and all the volunteers who contributed to the success of this program. Together, we are advancing dental care, nurturing the next generation of local #healthcare professionals, and making a lasting impact on oral health and well-being. #OperationSmile #365DaysofCare

Did you know that the first week of August is #WorldBreastfeedingWeek? At Operation Smile, we believe in the transformative power of breastfeeding as the ideal source of nutrition for infants. To honor this important week, we are highlighting the critical role breastfeeding plays in promoting optimal growth, brain development, and long-term health for both mother and child. Globally, an estimated 118,000 malnourished infants and children under five with cleft conditions require medical attention. At Operation Smile, we ensure these children receive the necessary nutrition for safe and effective surgical care through our comprehensive nutrition programs. We provide crucial resources, counseling, and support by partnering with local NGOs, hospitals, and community organizations to meet our patient's needs. This includes robust breastfeeding support and addressing the unique challenges of infants with cleft conditions through education on effective techniques, milk expression, and alternative feeding methods when direct breastfeeding isn’t possible. To learn more about this topic, we invite you to watch our “Basic Introductions: Breastfeeding an Infant” webinar. This session will offer valuable insights into the benefits of breastfeeding, address common challenges, and provide practical advice for supporting mothers and infants. Watch the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/es3ETi3M #OperationSmile #WBW24 #NationalBreastfeedingMonth #365daysofcare

Join us on August 12 at 2:00 PM UTC for an enlightening Operation Smile Academy live #webinar featuring our Chief Health Policy and Advocacy Officer, Dr. Ruben Ayala. In this session, titled "Global Surgery Unveiled: Its Crucial Role and Far-Reaching Effects," Dr. Ayala will share his extensive experience and provide valuable insights on the significant contributions of #globalsurgery within #globalhealth. Discover how global surgery addresses #healthcare disparities, enhances surgical care worldwide, and improves patient outcomes and community well-being!       Register for the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/eZBvNUVX     Sign up for an Operation Smile Academy account to receive a certificate of attendance: https://lnkd.in/egH3ZCDh