Smile Train

"...The real decision [to practice pediatric anesthesiology] came later on, when I was posted to do an internship for a hospital in the southern part of Tanzania. In that hospital, there was only one anaesthesiologist. One day he came in the operating room and he asked us three general practitioners, ‘would anyone in this room want to become an anaesthesiologist?’ And I said yes. So later on, he called us in his office and explained the importance and need for anaesthesiologists, who were in huge demand in the country – there were only around 30 at the time. We were convinced." Building capacity for pediatric anesthesiology is a critical part of increasing access to safe surgery. We're so proud of the PATA Fellowship program and Fellows like Amos Zacharia! 👇

Say hi to Victoria from Oaxaca! Before Victoria was born her parents had never seen or heard of a cleft. So, seeing Victoria— they were shocked! But, their love for their newborn baby pushed them to find her the care she desperately needed. Thankfully a nurse knew of Smile Train’s local partner, Mobile Surgery International (MSI), and referred Victoria’s parents to Dr. Nico Sierra and his incredible team of dedicated medical professionals. While MSI was a 5 hour journey from their home - her parents were determined to get Victoria to her appointments… Now after a successful first surgery - Victoria is receiving preventive dental care and nutrition support as she awaits her palate surgery.

Move over Shark Week, #CapnoWeek is coming! Join Lifebox Smile Train & WFSA (World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists) for an online deep dive into capnography as we work to #ClosetheGap Capnography is an essential anesthesia monitoring tool, yet it remains largely unavailable across most low-resource setting operating rooms. Research shows there is often a 100% gap between the need for capnography and its availability in low-income countries. Stay tuned More info here: https://bit.ly/4c9NXsi #EverySurgerySafer #SaferAnesthesia

In celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Smile Train stands in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, including the members of our diverse staff. Echoing the sentiment of one of our staff members, Phil Carroll, we proudly honor the groundbreaking accomplishments of the gay rights movement and the resilience of LGBTQ+ advocates.

As we continue to look back at Esvin and his cleft journey, we are reminded of the power of our model, which empowers local medical professionals to provide care in their own communities. Thanks to our partnership with Esperanza de Vida, Esvin is thriving!

Smile Train's global Medical Advisory Board is comprised of many of the world's leading medical experts across the cleft care ecosystem, from surgery and anesthesia to orthodontics, nutrition, nursing, pediatrics, and speech therapy. Watch through for a glimpse of the MAB at a reception at our Smile Train headquarters, where they recently gathered for an incredible meeting on innovation, safety, and quality - all to continue transforming lives one smile at a time!

#DidYouKnow more than 3,400 Smile Train-supported surgeries have been performed in Cameroon since 2004? 💫 With the support from our local partners, these surgeries have brought countless smiles and transformed lives.

From the shock of her birth to the tears of joy at her transformation, Sheema's story reveals the power of perseverance and the importance of support. Through the challenges of feeding difficulties and unsuccessful surgeries, Sheema's spirit remained unbroken. Sheema found the courage to embrace her differences and undergo life-changing surgeries. The moment she saw other children like her at the hospital, she knew she wasn't alone, igniting a sense of belonging and acceptance. Now, adorned with confidence, Sheema faces the world with a newfound sense of self-assurance. Read her story here: https://lnkd.in/ehPhENJF

From hiding her smile to finding the confidence that everyone deserves! Daniela's journey with cleft care transformed her life, thanks to the dedication and support of our local partners and support. Let's continue to empower more children like Daniela to smile with confidence.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and at Smile Train, we're committed to supporting the mental, emotional, and social wellbeing of cleft-affected individuals and their families worldwide. Our psychosocial care programs offer vital support, including prenatal counseling, parent support groups, and therapeutic interventions, to over 4,250 patients and families across 14+ countries. Psychosocial care is crucial for building confidence, fostering resilience, and creating supportive communities. Yet, in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), access to these services is limited due to financial constraints and a lack of trained professionals. At Smile Train, we're working to change that. By providing comprehensive care beyond cleft surgery, we empower families to navigate challenges and thrive.