11/27/07

From November 7th to 16th, nearly 300 plastic surgeons lent their expertise to the World Journey of Smiles (WJOS)—Operation Smile’s 25th anniversary effort. Plastic surgeons and other medical professionals conducted 40 missions, treating 4,149 children with facial deformities.

Leading by example in Ecuador were Operation Smile volunteer and American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) President-Elect John Canady, MD, and ASPS Executive Vice President, Paul Pomerantz, MD, who were humbled by their experience.

"I have volunteered for Operation Smile for over 15 years, and throughout this time I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the most incredible people in the world," says Canady. "It is an honor to be able to restore smiles to the faces of both my young patients and their concerned parents. Participating in the World Journey of Smiles here in Ecuador has reconfirmed for me what a positive impact plastic surgeons have on the lives of those who may not otherwise be given this opportunity."

WJOS in Ecuador evaluated 197 patients, and conducted 107 surgeries and 174 procedures.

[www.medicalnewstoday.com, November 27, 2007]