Physicians and Nurses from 25 Countries Arrive in Norfolk for Operation Smile’s Medical Education Conference May 28 – June 8

More than 70 physicians and nurses from 25 countries will travel to Norfolk to participate in Operation Smile’s annual Physicians’ Training Program (PTP) from May 28-June 8.  Since 1987, this conference has been a critical component of Operation Smile’s training and education initiatives.  PTP, which is led by Operation Smile CEO and Co-founder Dr. Bill Magee and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Rubin, gives physicians from Operation Smile mission countries the opportunity to learn new surgical techniques and to expand their knowledge through lectures, lab rotations, and operation room observation.  The goal of PTP is to train medical professionals to care for children in their own countries, furthering Operation Smile’s mission of helping its partner countries attain self-sufficiency.  The program also provides the opportunity for physicians and nurses from around the world to share valuable medical and cultural knowledge and to observe and receive training on difficult craniofacial cases.

PTP is a joint effort by Operation Smile, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk and Operation Smile partner institutions across the country.  To date, Operation Smile has brought more than 650 medical professionals to Norfolk, Va. for this program.  Anesthesiologists and pediatricians attending the conference train at Tidewater Center for Life Support in Norfolk to receive Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications, required to participate in Operation Smile medical missions. Nursing participants will also receive training in PALS at Tidewater Center for Life Support.  Operation Smile will conduct Basic Life Support (BLS) at Old Dominion University in Norfolk for nursing and dental participants.

Part of PTP includes specialty training at Operation Smile partner institutions.  New to the program this year is the participation of nurses and dentists from Operation Smile partner countries.  From May 30-June 1, nurses will receive specialty training at Old Dominion University.  From May 31-June 1, dental participants will train at the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland in Baltimore, Md., anesthesia participants will be in Washington, D.C. at George Washington University, and pediatric participants will be in Philadelphia, Penn. at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.  Plastic surgery participants will be at Duke University in Durham, N.C. from May 31-June 2.

Dr. Bill Magee said, “The Physicians’ Training Program demonstrates Operation Smile’s commitment to education.  It is an amazing opportunity for Operation Smile volunteer medical professionals from around the world to receive specialized training and share knowledge with others in their field.” 
 
About Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.org)
Founded in 1982, Operation Smile, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is a worldwide children’s medical charity whose network of global volunteers are dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children and young adults.  Since its founding, Operation Smile has treated more than 100,000 children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. In addition to contributing free medical treatment, Operation Smile trains local medical professionals in its 25 partner countries and leaves behind crucial equipment to lay the groundwork for long-term self-sufficiency.  Operation Smile commemorates its 25th Anniversary with a year-long, multi-faceted series of initiatives to promote sustainability and capacity-building among its 25 mission countries.  The year-long anniversary celebration will culminate in November 2007, with the World Journey of Smiles, more than 40 simultaneous missions in 25 countries, with a goal of providing new smiles and new lives for an estimated 5,000 children living with facial deformities.