Alliance for Smiles

Alliance for Smiles (AfS) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2004 in San Francisco.[1] They provide free surgical repairs for cleft lip and cleft palate, with missions mostly in the continents of Asia and Africa. They also work to develop treatment centers where continuous follow-up care can be provided.[1]

Alliance for Smiles
Alliance for Smiles in Yangon, Myanmar
preparing for surgery (2014)
Formation2004 (2004)
FounderAnita Stangl
Burt Berry
James Patrick
Jim Deitz
John Goings
John Uth
TypeNonprofit
HeadquartersSan Francisco, California
Jessica Hansen
Board of Directors
Jessica Hansen
Karl Wustrack, M.D.
Karin Vargervik, D.D.S.
Rosemary Welde, R.N.
Anita Stangl
Cecile Chiquette
Chih-Chen Fang, M.D.
Tina Fischlin
Benjamin Lam
John O'Connor
Jim Patrick
Roderick Young
Jean Rosenblum
Honorary Board Members
Sally Peterson-Falzone, Ph.D.
Raphael "Raffi" Garcia III
Frank Yih
William Hoffman, M.D.
Staff
Jessica Hansen
Paul Vazquez
Jeremy Rhodes
Hayden Gubernick
Websitehttps://www.allianceforsmiles.org

Early History of Alliance for Smiles

Alliance for Smiles was founded in October of 2004 by Anita Stangl, Burt Berry, James Patrick, Jim Deitz, John Goings, and John Uth. Dr Karin Vargervik, D.D.S., previous director of the Craniofacial Center at the University of California San Francisco, was chosen to lead the AfS treatment center program,[2] which aims to create international treatment centers that replicate the U.S. protocol of cleft treatment.[3]

Programs

Alliance for Smiles organizes international volunteer missions to provide cleft lip and cleft palate repair in under-served communities, manages programs to assist hot countries in reaching cleft lip and cleft palate repair self-sufficiency, and organizes an international medical fellowship program for pre-med students entering the medical field.

Surgical missions

Alliance for Smiles organizes two-week surgical missions to provide free cleft lip and palate surgery in various under-served countries.[4] The team consists of about 12 medical professionals and 4 non-medical volunteers.[1] During a typical mission, 70 to 100 children receive surgical care. The AfS team collaborates with local medical practitioners to communicate on proper medical procedures and to give follow-up treatment.[5][1] Follow-up care is often required because a patient may need follow-up surgeries, orthodontic treatment, speech therapy, and other medical care.[6]

Teaching missions

During teaching missions Alliance for Smiles sends a small team of medical professionals to train local doctors and nurses on how to operate on very complex cleft cases.

International Medical Fellowship program

The International Medical Fellowship is a 14-day opportunity for students interested in the medical field to learn about cleft surgeries by supporting and observing doctors and nurses on an AfS mission.

References
  1. Buchleitner, Jessica (June 2010). "SF-based organization provides 'smiles' to youth born without one" (PDF). Western Edition HP Journal. p. 9.
  2. Jun, Chang (March 22, 2016). "Alliance for Smiles doctors 'invaluable assets of humanity". China Daily.
  3. Jun, Chang (April 28, 2018). "Dentist's volunteer work transforms lives with a smile". China Daily.
  4. Vahl, Carl (2018). "For the Smiles". Rotary District 7090.
  5. "International Service Projects". Matteson Rotary Club. 2018. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. "Rotary Members Change the World with Alliance for Smiles Missions". Lake Oconee Breeze (Press release). June 21, 2017.
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