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

• Mike Fairbourne
  Chairman
  Meteorologist, WCCO-TV
  
  
• George J. Steiner
  Treasurer
  Maj Gen USAR (Ret.)
  
  
• Bruce Ferrara, M.D.
  Board of Directors 
  Children’s Hospitals of Minnesota
  
  
• Dick Marnach, M.D.
  Pediatric Anesthesiologist
  Minneapolis Children's Hospital, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare
  
  
• Sue Schacht, RN
  Board of Directors
  
  
• Mary Batinich
  


• John Zak
  Principal Owner NorthStar Surgical
  


• Peter Melchert, M.D.
  Pediatrics, Internal Medicine
  
  
• Lora Stege Koppel, RN
  Children’s Hospitals of Minnesota
  
  
• Jan Gauger, NNP
  Children’s Hospitals of Minnesota