Operation Smile Thailand

Not-for-profit, volunteer medical services organization that provides reconstructive facial surgery to indigent children and young adults

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Our Story

Operation Smile is an international non-profit medical charity founded in the U.S. in 1982 by Dr. William Magee and his spouse, Kathy Magee with the aim of providing safe surgeries to underprivileged children and young adults at no cost to address facial deformities such as cleft lip, cleft palate and burns. This aim has taken Operation Smile across the globe with a presence in 38 countries.

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Operation Smile conducted its first mission in Thailand in 1997. An international team of medical volunteers conducted two medical missions: one in Bangkok at the King Mongkut Hospital, and the other at the regional hospital in Yasothorn province. During these missions 172 Thai children suffering from cleft lips and/or cleft palates received free surgeries.

In September 2001, Operation Smile Thailand registered with the Office of the National Culture Commission of Thailand to establish Operation Smile Thailand. An Executive Committee and a Board of Directors was established to oversee Operation Smile Thailand and an Executive Director was appointed. Within one-year Operation Smile Thailand was financially self-sustaining.

Operation Smile Thailand has worked hard to promote self-sustainability by recruiting highly qualified Thai medical professionals. By doing so it has allowed Operation Smile Thailand to conduct an average of 10 – 12 surgical missions per year. In the last few years Operation Smile Thailand has performed more than 13,000 free surgeries.

Mission

We envision a future where health and dignity are improved through safe surgery.

Vision

Through our expertise in treating cleft lip and cleft palate, we create solutions that deliver safe surgery to people where it’s needed most

มาตรฐานการรักษาสากล

เพื่อรับประกันความปลอดภัยให้แก่ผู้ป่วยในโครงการของมูลนิธิสร้างรอยยิ้มทั่วโลก มูลนิธิสร้างรอยยิ้มได้กำหนด นโยบายการรักษาสากล วางมาตรฐานสำหรับอุปกรณ์ทางการแพทย์ ขั้นตอนการรักษาที่ปลอดภัย ให้การอบรมบุคลากรทางการแพทย์ และออกเอกสารรับรองบุคลากรทางการแพทย ์เพื่อให้ผู้ป่วยในโครงการของมูลนิธิสร้างรอยยิ้มทั่วโลกได้รับการรักษาที่มีความปลอดภัยด้วยมาตรฐานเดียวกัน

Our Team

คณะกรรมการบริหาร

Mr. Anand Panyarachun

Honorary Chairman

Mr. Kevin J. Beauvai

Chairman

Dr. Erik Fleischman

Vice-Chairman

Mrs. Shannon Blocker

Treasurer

Mrs. Therese Beauvais

Secretary

Mrs. Acharaporn Siriphaivan

Board Member

Mrs. Dyan Zimmerman

Board Member

Mrs. Manasavee Vongthammachart

Board Member

Dr. Ninie Achalakul

Board Member

Mr. Paul Robere

Board Member

Dr. Yupares Nimkarn

Board Member

Mrs. Urai Pliemsomran Rogers

Board Member​

Mrs. Daranee Charoen-Rajapark

Advisor to the Board of Directors

Ms. Christina Krause

Executive Director

Associate Professor Apichai Angspatt

Medical Field Director

Management

Ms. Christina Krause

Executive Director

Ms. Jaruwan Janphen

Resource Development Director

Ms. Jintakan Sricholwattana

Strategic Development Director

Ms. Napat Ratchatawan

Senior Program Manager Director

Program

Mr. Phithak Thongrit

Program Manager

Mr. Sahathatna Chanprung

Program Manager

Ms. Onusa Wannapak

Medical Liaison Manager

Ms. Lalada Chittanonda

Outcomes Data Manager

Resources Development

Ms. Kansini Vanapermpul

Senior Resources Development Manager

Ms. Mayvadee Chavacharoen

Resources Development Manager

Ms. Rapeeporn Teerawongsa

Corporate Fundraising Manager

Ms. Latcha Thangkornsakul

Communication Manager

Mr. Dean Adrian Madeira

Student Programs Development Manager

Office Support

Ms. Surangkana Usungneon

Accounting Manager

Ms. Waroros Manawatao

Office and Human Resource Manager

Smile Ambassadors

Ms. Lela Carmen Bishop

Ms. Tayarawee Rogers

Mr. Craig Somerville

Ms. Apiphawadee Snidvongs Nha Ayuthaya

Ms. Varangkana Jitsakdanont

Ms. Phanpravee Kiwanon

Mr. Nontanun Anchuleepradit

Mr. Tanakrit Aswanichakorn

วงน้ำใจ

Mr. Cengizhan Tatar

Ms. Onicha Chansue

Ms. Papichaya Katanyutano

Mr. Thanakorn Siriananmanee

Ms. Pawanpat Katanyutano

กลุ่มไลออนส์ ร็อก

Mr. Arpakorn Dhumrongpiyawut

Mr. Sarin Sukanonsawa

Ms. Sansara Klinsukont

Ms. Jansara Klinsukont​

FAQ

  • Cleft lip is an opening or split in the upper lip which may extend to the base of the nose and the gum and bone of the upper jaw. It can occur on one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral).
  • Cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth when the two sides of a palate fail to join together.
  • A child can suffer from a cleft lip, a cleft palate or both.

Cleft lips and cleft palates are congenital defects that occur early in embryonic development. Clefts occur between the fourth and sixth weeks of pregnancy, as the facial structure of the fetus develops. If the bones do not connect correctly a cleft can develop.

The exact cause is unknown. Cleft lip and cleft palate are congenital defects that occur early in embryonic development. Scientists believe that a combination of both genetic and environmental factors such as maternal illness, malnutrition or drugs may lead to development of cleft lip or cleft palate.

ไม่สามารถป้องกันได้ ถ้าภาวะเกิดจากความผิดปกติของยีนส์ แต่หากเกิดจากปัจจัยสิ่งแวดล้อมสามารถลดความเสี่ยงได้โดยที่ในปัจจุบันพบว่า

  • มารดาควรได้รับวิตามินรวมที่มีส่วนผสมของกรดโฟลิค ก่อนการตั้งครรภ์และในระหว่างสองเดือนแรก
  • มารดาไม่ควรสูบบุหรี่ และเสพสารเสพติดขณะตั้งครรภ์
  • มารดาควรศึกษายาที่หญิงตั้งครรภ์ห้ามใช้

Cleft lip or cleft palate can cause many forms of physical and psychological suffering including:

  • Ear disease and dental problems, including risk of infection
  • Problems with proper speech development
  • Difficulty eating — which may lead to malnutrition
  • Ridicule and humiliation
  • Abuse and isolation

Other difficulties resulting from cleft lip or cleft palate can cause children to suffer needlessly, ultimately resulting in complete withdrawal from their communities.

Yes. Surgery provides excellent results. A pediatrician and a plastic surgeon work with a child’s parents to choose the best timing for surgery.

  • Most surgeons agree that a cleft lip should be repaired by the time a baby is 3 months old and 5 kilograms. To repair the partition of mouth and nose as early as possible.
  • A cleft palate generally is repaired between the ages of 12 months or more.
    Any surgical procedure is dependent upon a child’s general health and the nature of the cleft lip or cleft palate.