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Spectrum News Columbus • 3rd September 2021

Giving Kids the Gift of a Smile

CLEVELAND — Columbus plastic surgeon Dr. Bivik Shah said he loves his job because he helps people feel like their best self. One of his favorite parts is bringing families and children with cleft lips and palates renewed hope through a new smile.

“It just makes me feel wonderful that I've been able to do that. And, luckily, I have the skill set to be able to do that,” Shah said.

He’s been volunteering with nonprofit medical service organization Operation Smile for over 20 years where he operat

Bronx Times • 3rd September 2021

Manhattan College women support patients during pandemic – Bronx Times

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As March is Women’s History Month, Manhattan College is home to two females who are empowering one another and advocating for patients and students during the pandemic.

Biology student, Shayla Gramajo and Associate Professor, Grishma Shah are not only dedicated to supporting others during COVID-19, they are both involved with global nonprofit, Operation Sm

The Katy News • 3rd September 2021

Give Kids A Smile Day: Houston Dentist Provides New Smiles In Her Community And Around The Globe With Operation Smile – The Katy News

Give Kids A Smile Day: Houston Dentist Provides New Smiles In Her Community And Around The Globe With Operation Smile

The Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) program, launched nationally in 2003. The program provides underserved children with free oral health care.

Each year approximately 6,500 dentists and 30,000 dental team members volunteer at local GKAS events to provide free oral health education, screenings, preventive and restorative treatment to over 300,000 children.

Give Kids a Smile Day seeks

wfaa.com • 3rd September 2021

He doesn’t want gifts for his 12th birthday. He wants to pay for surgeries for kids with cleft palates

“Every child deserves the chance that I had,” said Connor Dawson.

“When someone’s smiling it means they’re happy, and they want everyone to know that they’re happy,” Connor said.

The braces are just the latest step in a years-long journey that began when Connor was born with a cleft palate.

“It’s a tough emotional journey to have a baby that looks different,” admitted Connor’s mom, Meaghan Dawson. “Prior to having Connor, I would have been one to think, 'Oh, it’s just a cosmetic issue, it’s n

Florida Times-Union • 3rd September 2021

Nurse couple from Jacksonville change lives on medical mission trips

When Rodney Kapunan was a child growing up in the slums of Manila, surgeons for the international medical nonprofit Operation Smile repaired his cousin's cleft lip and palate.

The surgery was free, he said, and produced an "exceptional result."

Decades later, Kapunan, an emergency room nurse at Memorial Emergency Center-Atlantic in Jacksonville, learned a colleague was a volunteer for Operation Smile. She asked him to join and he jumped at the chance. His first mission in 2014 took him to an a

Dental Tribune USA • 3rd September 2021

During cleft awareness month, Operation Smile shares ...

During cleft awareness month, Operation Smile shares details of its research

July is National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness and improve understanding of orofacial clefts and other conditions of the head and face. Worldwide, it’s estimated every 3 minutes a child is born with a cleft condition that can drastically affect their ability to breathe, eat and speak.

The specific causes of cleft conditions are still unknown, but Operation Smile is co

Aegis Dental Network • 3rd September 2021

National Safety Month: Operation Smile Provides Safe Surgery Around The World In Wake Of Covid-19 | Aegis Dental Network

National Safety Month: Operation Smile Provides Safe Surgery Around The World In Wake Of Covid-19

National Safety Month is an annual observance during the month of June which observes the importance of following safety guidelines in our daily lives.

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, safety is more critical than ever, and volunteer based nonprofit, Operation Smile, is adapting their practices to ensure that children are still able to receive life-changing surgeries in our changed world.

Op

WXYZ • 12th April 2021

2 Washtenaw high school students volunteer to help children with cleft conditions

(WXYZ) — Two students at Washtenaw International High School are volunteering to help children affected by cleft conditions.

Jade Xu and Anum Latif first got involved volunteering through an Operation Smile Club during their sophomore year.

“Jade and I were able to start a school club even though it was later in the year," Anum said in a press release. "I think what inspired me the most to get involved was seeing a lot of healthcare disparities right in front of me. Being from a developing cou