Our Smile Mission

Children's Surgery International, formerly part of Operation Smile, is a Minnesota-based, non-profit volunteer organization whose focus is to serve the underprivileged of the world by providing specialized medical and surgical services in a safe, compassionate and culturally sensitive manner and to promote in-country self-sufficiency through professional training and support.

During our Smile Missions, our primary focus is cleft lip and cleft palate. As circumstances arise and our expertise allows, we will also do the following:

• Facial Deformities


• Burn Scar Revisions


• Uncomplicated orthopedic procedures


• Urological malformations


• Health screening and education

These services will be provided at no cost to the patient or their families.

Every patient undergoing a surgical procedure will have a pre-operative evaluation.

Approval for surgery, including Smile Cleft Surgery, will require consensus of the Surgical Team Leader, Anesthesia Team Leader, Pediatrician, and Nursing Clinical Coordinator.

History

Children's Surgery International, formerly part of Operation Smile, was the first Minnesota based 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing free surgical repair for children in developing countries who suffer from facial deformities.

Our volunteers have provided life-changing surgeries for children in Venezuela, North Viet Nam, Morocco, Mexico, Peru and Ghana.

We are a humanitarian organization depending upon volunteerism and donations from foundations, corporations and individuals. Our network of professionals bring smiles and hope to children and parents in developing countries.

In addition to surgeries, we provide in-country education and medical supplies to our host countries.

Board of Directors

• George J. Steiner
  Treasurer
  Maj Gen USAR (Ret.)
  
  
• Dick Marnach, M.D.
  Pediatric Anesthesiologist
  Minneapolis Children's Hospital, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare
  
  
• Lora Stege Koppel, RN
• Chairman
  Children’s Hospitals of Minnesota
  
  
• Bruce Ferrara, M.D
  Children's Hospital of Minnesota
  


• John Hehre
  CEO, Creative Processes, Inc



• Mary Johnson
  RN, Children's Hospitals of Minnesota
  


• Lynn Randall
  CRNA, Children's Hospitals of Minnesota
  


• Peter Melchert, M.D.
  Pediatrics, Internal Medicine
  
  
• Jan Gauger, NNP
  Children’s Hospitals of Minnesota
  
  
• Michele Abbott, Pastor
  Oak Knoll Lutheran Church