• Operation Smile
Operation Smile was founded by Dr. William P. Magee, a plastic surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen, a nurse and clinical
social worker. In 1982, the Magees traveled to the Philippines with a group of medical volunteers to repair children’s cleft lips and cleft palates. They discovered hundreds of children ravaged by deformities, and although they helped many children, the volunteers were forced to turn away the majority of those who sought help. The Magees saw the need and Operation Smile was born.

Jessica Simpson joined the Operation Smile international medical mission in Nakuru, Kenya in late October 2005.
Ms. Simpson assisted the volunteer team with the medical evaluations of the more than 280 patients who came to the remote site with the hopes of receiving life-changing corrective surgery. Ms. Simpson helped direct the children as they awaited their turn, giving them special gifts and spreading laughter and cheer.

Operation Smile has been honored to have Jessica Simpson serve as its International Youth Ambassador since 2003 when her good friend and hairstylist, Ken Pavés introduced her to the organization. Helping to spread awareness for the organization, Ms. Simpson has performed at Operation Smile’s Los Angeles Gala in 2003 and gave a benefit concert as part of NBC’s reality hit, “The Apprentice,” in front of a packed house at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.
In 2004, Ms. Simpson and her husband, Nick Lachey were presented with the Operation Smile’s Universal Smile Award at the Third Annual Los Angeles Gala.

During the Kenya medical mission, Ms. Simpson witnessed the medical volunteers’ skills first-hand by donning scrubs and joining Operation Smile co-founder, Dr. Bill Magee and the surgical team in the operating room. Simpson also formed a special bond with one child, 1-1/2-year-old Boke whose father had sold one of his six cows, his only source of income, for money to travel 12 hours in the hopes of receiving surgery for his little girl. Simpson saw Boke through her evaluation and surgery – she comforted Boke as she was put under anesthesia, and then delivered her back to her father after her recovery.

From October 26 to November 6, 2005, Operation Smile teams of international volunteer medical professionals conducted medical missions in three cities in Kenya providing free treatment and aftercare to children and young adults suffering from facial deformities. Medical and non-medical volunteers from Canada, Hong Kong, Italy, Kenya, the Philippines, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States provided surgery to more than 380 children and young adults in Nairobi, Nakuru and Mombasa.

More information on Operation Smile and how you can help log on to OperationSmile.org!