Healthcare Providers from 28 Countries Arrive in Norfolk for Operation Smile’s Physicians’ Training Program from May 26 – June 6

More than 90 healthcare providers from 28 countries will travel to Norfolk to participate in Operation Smile’s annual Physicians’ Training Program (PTP) from May 26-June 6, 2008.  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, gives healthcare providers 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.  New to this year’s program is the inclusion of speech pathology participants thanks to a grant from The Boeing Company. 

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.” 

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, dental and speech participants.

PTP is a joint effort by Operation Smile and Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk and includes specialty training at Operation Smile partner institutions:

Nurses  - Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, May 28-30
Speech Pathologists - Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in Atlanta, GA, May 29-30
Dentists  - University of Maryland Dental School in Baltimore, MD, May 29 & 30
Anesthesiologists - George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., May 29 & 30
Pediatricians - Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA, May 29-31
Plastic Surgeons - Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC, May 29-31

About Operation Smile’s Physicians’ Training Program
The Physician’s Training Program (PTP) provides the opportunity for healthcare providers from around the world to share valuable medical and cultural knowledge and to observe and receive training on difficult craniofacial cases.  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.  Since the program began in 1987, Operation Smile has brought more than 700 healthcare providers to Norfolk, Va. for this program.  When PTP began, only plastic surgeons participated, but now anesthesiologists, pediatricians, dentists, nurses and speech therapy professionals also receive training.  PTP’s expansion reflects the growth of Operation Smile and the comprehensive care its volunteers provide worldwide.  Operation Smile currently has Comprehensive Care Centers operating in China, Colombia, Honduras and Vietnam providing year-round examinations, treatment and post-op care in Plastic Surgery, Anesthesia, Nursing, Dentistry and Speech.
 
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 volunteers have treated more than 115,000 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 26 partner countries and leaves behind crucial equipment to lay the groundwork for long-term self-sufficiency.