Hope/Ward

hope·ward. / hōpwərd / Creating a brighter, more equitable future — fueled by resilience, driven by bold action, and focused on lasting impact. 

Welcome to Hope/Ward, a newsletter that celebrates the work of Operation Smile and our partners globally through inspiring stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and updates on our mission to create access to life-changing surgeries and comprehensive care where it’s needed most. 

In this issue, we look specifically at what it takes to bring care closer to home. You’ll find inspiring stories about expanding access, building local capacity, and you’ll learn more about Operation 100, our blueprint for transforming access by investing in frontline health workers and strengthening district hospitals.  A pivotal step in our more than four-decade long commitment to advancing health equity, we are starting by equipping 100 cleft operative teams with advanced skills, essential equipment, and enhanced health care infrastructure across 100 hospitals, bringing access to care closer to patients’ homes. Operation 100 is just the start. 

Reaching More Patients in More Places: Training Providers to Expand Surgical Care 

In a special edition of Devex’s podcast “This Week in Global Development” Operation Smile Chief Medical Officer Billy Magee III and University of Rwanda Professor Faustin Ntirenganya talk about a subject they frequently discuss: the state of access to surgery worldwide. In its efforts to expand global access to safe surgical care by investing in the training of local health care providers, Operation Smile recently co- hosted the inaugural Pan-African Surgical Conference in Kigali, Rwanda.  Over 550 participants from 36 countries convened to discuss strategies for strengthening health care systems and hear about Operation 100, our bold strategy for expanding care closer to patients’ homes. In this podcast, Magee and Ntirenganya review the event, and one of its most crucial take-aways: The importance of education, training, patient care, advocacy, and financing, all being led by local professionals.  

Listen to the Devex podcast now.  

Bringing Care Closer: Expanding Care and Medical Training in Rwanda 

At Ruhengeri Hospital in Musanze, Rwanda, Operation Smile is transforming a surgical center into hands-on training grounds for local health care providers. This facility serves as a "spoke" hospital, bringing essential surgeries and care closer to communities that previously had to travel long distances for treatment. With an ICU, four operating rooms, and a teaching room, the hospital exemplifies how locally led, globally supported education programs can create sustainable health care solutions across Africa. As Professor Faustin noted during the hospital's inauguration: “You can’t teach a person how to swim if you don’t have a swimming pool.” 

Discover Operation Smile’s work in Rwanda. 

Ripple Effect: From Operation Smile Patient to Dentistry Student 

Ángeles Luque's journey with Operation Smile began in her childhood when she received cleft surgery through Operation Smile Peru. Inspired by the transformative care she received, Ángeles founded the first student club at her university. Through this club, she and her peers raise awareness about cleft conditions, spreading hope and inspiring action within their community. Now 21 and pursuing a degree in dentistry, Ángeles is dedicated to helping others with cleft conditions. “Our scars do not define us; what defines us is how we transform them into strengths,” she says. 

Learn about Ángeles and her journey. 

Celebrating Our Remarkable Volunteer Nurses 

In our world, every day is Nurses’ Day. Take a moment with us to celebrate the invaluable contributions of our volunteer nurses, who are integral to patient care and the strengthening of health systems. From preparing operating rooms to providing postoperative support, these dedicated professionals ensure that patients receive compassionate and comprehensive care. Here are four remarkable nurses whose commitment makes Operation Smile’s work possible.   

Meet four amazing Operation Smile nurses.  

Scenes from Guatemala: Expanding Access in Petén 

In February 2025, Operation Smile conducted a week-long surgical program at San Benito Regional Hospital in Petén, Guatemala—a region where access to surgical care has been historically limited. Collaborating with local health teams, volunteers, and community partners, the program provided surgeries and comprehensive care to children from Petén and neighboring communities. By the end of the week, 47 new smiles had been created, exemplifying the impact of bringing essential health care services closer to underserved populations.  

Discover our work in Guatemala. 

Explore More, Impact More 

These stories are just a glimpse into the work of Operation Smile, our partners and our commitment to transforming lives, communities, and health care systems. We believe safe, essential surgery is a human right and together we are working to bring care closer to home by strengthening health systems, equipping local providers, and creating a lasting impact. 

We invite you to learn more about our initiatives, discover opportunities to get involved, and see the full impact of our global community. 

👉 Visit OperationSmile.org to learn more