The Smile Train

Smile Train is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization based in New York City with the mission of providing free corrective surgery for children with cleft lip and palate in about 80 developing countries. Founded in 1999, Smile Train focuses on providing free cleft-related training for doctors and medical professionals. By March 2008, Smile Train had facilitated more than 280,000 cleft surgeries in 74 countries, raising $84 million with a staff of 30 people. By 2011, it had assisted over 650,000 children. In early 2011, Smile Train and Operation Smile announced the two charities would merge, followed three weeks later by announcements the merger had been aborted, Smile Train having canceled the union. Smile Train's board also named Priscilla Ma the executive director of the organization, while other board members and directors stepped down. Smile Train uses technology including surgery-training software and grading of operations via digital imaging to increase efficiency. Co-founder...