Operation Smile has been providing life-changing surgery for children with cleft conditions around the world for more than 40 years.
This year's Maura Murphy '96 Lecture featured Mansi Shah who has been a long-time volunteer with the organization and now manages Operation Smile's Student Programs in the Northern Region of the United States.
Operation Smile's mission is to provide free and transforming surgery to children with cleft conditions. An estimated one in seven children is born with the condition. Many live in countries with limited resources and medical care.
"I am lucky enough to have a job that is my passion," remarked Ms. Shah. "As I lead students in programs with Operation Smile, I teach them to lead with empathy and compassion. I learned that through my mentors, I learned that through my heroes who are Dr. Bill and Kathy McGee [founders of Operation Smile].
Ms. Shah first connected with the group when she was approached about starting an Operation Smile club at her high school. "I didn't realize what an impact you can make as one person," explained Ms. Shah. Over the years, Ms. Shah and her sister continued to raise money and awareness.
In 42 years, volunteer doctors, nurses, and medical personnel have operated on more than 450,000 young patients abroad. "It started because they [the McGees] wanted to do something good for someone else," said Ms. Shah.
During a medical trip to the Philippines, Dr. McGee, who is a cleft surgeon, noticed a lot of teenagers and adults who needed cleft care. The McGees extended their trip to perform free surgery for ten children. Once word spread, the line grew to over 50 children. Dr. McGee and a team of medical volunteers returned the following year. "With the 50 children who were on the list, there were 250 children that were waiting outside," said Ms. Shah.
Leading with their heart, the McGees established Operation Smile in 1982. "Now it has grown into an organization that is 6,000 medical volunteers strong," said Ms. Shah.
Ms. Shah says she considers service, "a forever job. We have a responsibility to make someone else's life better."
The global challenge for Operation Smile is that there are five million patients waiting for cleft care. "We have a lot of work to do," explained Ms. Shah. "It's not just the cosmetic of repairing the cleft. They are going to be able to eat, they are going to be able to drink, to breathe better, they are going to be able to live their life without being bullied or ridiculed."
The goal is to train more medical staff in underserved countries and create healthcare change. "When you surround yourself with good people, you meet good people. And that is what I have learned being involved with this organization. Every day I meet people who are making a difference, even in one person's life."
The Maura Murphy '96 Lecture was established by Maura's family and friends to honor her memory and to assist students in their moral and emotional development. Watch the lecture.