In the United States, children born with cleft lips or cleft palates usually have access to the medical resources they need to correct the condition. That’s not the case in many other countries in the world, where cleft lips and palates are difficult to repair, and can cause significant problems later in childhood, from stunted language skills to malnutrition. That’s why in 1982, Kathy Magee cofounded Operation Smile: a nonprofit organization that recruits medical volunteers and provides healthcare resources to treat these conditions. Since then, Operation Smile has set up operations all around the world, with a special focus on developing countries and disadvantaged communities.
Magee herself has had an active career in the past four decades. After studying nursing and education in both the United States and Switzerland, she has traveled overseas to help treat children, spearheaded a Women in Medicine initiative, and expanded Operation Smile’s range of operations to more than 30 countries. For her efforts, she received the President’s Call to Service Award in 2007. Last year, Operation Smile treated more than 20,000 patients. This year, the organization has hosted hundreds of medical events, from educational seminars to surgeries, in Mexico, Colombia, Morocco, Malawi, China, Thailand, and beyond.
