Nine Inspiring Moments That Made Us Smile in 2024 

To say that 2024 was a busy year at Operation Smile would be an understatement. Not only were we able to provide surgical care for more than 15,000 patients and comprehensive care for more than 85,000 patients in over 35 countries, but we also trained more than 6,500 health care workers.  

Needless to say, there were many moments throughout the year that have advanced our goal of creating access to essential surgery and care for our patients, their families and their communities all over the world. None of these moments would have been possible without every staff member, volunteer, donor, student, partner and supporter. Your commitment and support make it possible to bring hope, access to care and lasting impact to the communities we serve. 

Here are nine moments that have us looking back at the past year and beaming with pride.  

1. Reaching New Supporters with Beast Philanthropy Partnership 

We kicked off the year with an inspiring new partnership with Beast Philanthropy. Their team joined us for a surgical program in Puebla, Mexico to help raise awareness about our work to their 337 million YouTube subscribers. Through this partnership, Beast Philanthropy produced a poignant video, sharing our work with their audience. The response has been remarkable: 2.5 million views in just one day, nearly 34 million views to date and a Silver Anthem Award for its impact.

2.  Nurturing Tomorrow’s Nursing Leaders 

Building local capacity is at the heart of our work; we believe in investing in people to create a lasting impact. This year, with the support of our long-standing partner Johnson & Johnson, we had the opportunity to host a Nursing Leadership Training series in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Lima, Peru and New Delhi, India. 

Through these leadership training events, we equipped 146 nurse leaders from 23 different countries with advanced training and mentorship to ensure high-quality, sustainable care in their communities. These nurse leaders returned to their communities to facilitate workshops and trainings, continuing the ripple effect of our work.

3. Reinventing Patient Research with Groundbreaking AI Tools 

Through a film produced for Operation Smile by BBC StoryWorks as part of the Beyond The Code series, we were able to showcase our partnership with Microsoft in an initiative called AI for Good. This cutting-edge program uses algorithms that can determine the severity of a cleft condition based on data. This groundbreaking tool helps our staff and volunteers provide better care to our patients by categorizing what type of results they would get depending on the severity of the cleft lip.  

Learn more about this work and how it brings the expertise of thousands of surgeons to remote areas in the mini documentary Beyond the Code, produced by BBC Storyworks Commercial Productions.  

4. Supporting Ghana’s National Surgical, Obstetric and Anesthesia Plan 

A major milestone in 2024 was the launch of Ghana’s National Surgical, Obstetric and Anesthesia Plan (NSOAP). This groundbreaking policy reflects Ghana’s commitment to improving lives through better health care access. 

We were honored to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the NSOAP Technical Working Group to support this initiative. It sets a powerful example for other nations, paving the way for millions to access the care they deserve.

Learn more about our work in policy and advocacy.

5. Empowering Youth at the International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC) 

Student volunteers have been at the core of Operation Smile since its founding in 1982. This year, more than 350 young leaders came together for a week of inspiration and learning at our International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC). 

Through workshops, dynamic speakers and hands-on activities, students left with the skills to create real-world impact for our patients. Missed it this year? Join us in 2025 from July 21 – 27 at the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland!   

6. Leading Global Health Discussions During UNGA Week 

Operation Smile took the global stage at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Week in New York, N.Y. through our participation in the Concordia Annual Summit and Devex Summit. 

Kristie Magee Porcaro, chief strategy officer, led a fireside chat at Concordia’s Annual Summit titled “A Blueprint for Sustainable Access to Surgical Care.” She explored innovative solutions to address barriers like distance, cost and infrastructure. 

Dr. Ruben Ayala, chief policy and advocacy officer, spoke at the Devex Summit on bridging gaps in surgical care through strengthened health systems and local capacity building. 

These discussions reinforced our leadership in global health and our commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities.  

7. Celebrating #ReasonstoSmile for World Smile Day 

We celebrated World Smile Day on October 4 with #ReasonstoSmile, a week-long digital campaign featuring contributions from 34 countries and more than 200 social media posts. Together, we shared the joy, inspiration and power of smiles with the world. Our work creates countless reasons to smile — from creating healthier futures to fostering resilient communities — and it was inspiring to see the many reasons shared across social media platforms.  

8.   Launching a New Global Website 

We hope you have noticed it by now; we unveiled a brand-new website! With a fresh look and enhanced features, it’s easier than ever for volunteers, supporters and partners to connect with our mission, explore our stories, celebrate our impact and join us in making a difference.  

9. Bringing Care Closer to Home 

We believe that access to surgical care is a right, not a privilege. Every day, we work to bring care closer to the communities we serve, tackling barriers to surgery and comprehensive care. 

This commitment is only possible because of the trust placed in us by patients, families, communities and local partners. Together, we are bridging the gap in access to care and transforming lives. 

As we look back on an impactful 2024, we feel immense gratitude for every moment and every person who made it possible. Here’s to working towards more smiles, more hope and even greater impact in 2025 — together!