What is a mission?

International Medical Missions

Operation Smile's standard International Medical Mission is comprised of a team of 35-40 accredited medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, dentist, speech pathologist, child life specialists, biomedical technicians and medical records specialists, from around the world, who travel to Operation Smile partner countries to treat children during a two-week period. Between 100 and 150 children are treated on a typical International Medical Mission.

Local Missions

Based on the Operation Smile international medical mission model, teams of Chinese medical volunteers conduct local programs to take care of more Chinese children year-round. Smaller in size, Local Missions are carried out in remote areas of mainland China where patients from small towns seek medical help.

Missions