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{{Short description|Children's charity}}
{{About|a charity|a Seibu Railway train with the same nickname|Seibu 30000 series}}
{{About|a charity|a Seibu Railway train with the same nickname|Seibu 30000 series}}


{{Infobox Organization
{{Infobox organization
|name=Smile Train
|name=Smile Train
|image = Smile_train_logo14.png
|image = Smile_train_logo14.png
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|leader_title = [[Chief Executive Officer]]
|leader_title = [[Chief Executive Officer]]
|leader_name = Susannah Schaefer
|leader_name = Susannah Schaefer
|website = [http://www.smiletrain.org/ www.smiletrain.org]
|website = {{url|smiletrain.org}}
}}
}}


'''Smile Train''' is a [[501(c) organization#501.28c.29.283.29|501(c)(3)]] organization and charity providing corrective surgery for children with [[cleft lip and palate|cleft lips and palates]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/20131114ironman-arizona-athletes-raise-funds-smile-train-help-kids.html|title=Ironman Arizona athletes raise funds for Smile Train to help kids|author=Domenico Nicosia|publisher=AZ Central|date=15 November 2013|accessdate=6 May 2014}}</ref>
'''Smile Train''' is a [[nonprofit]] organization and charity providing corrective surgery for children with [[cleft lip and palate|cleft lips and palates]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/20131114ironman-arizona-athletes-raise-funds-smile-train-help-kids.html|title=Ironman Arizona athletes raise funds for Smile Train to help kids|author=Domenico Nicosia|publisher=AZ Central|date=15 November 2013|accessdate=6 May 2014}}</ref> Headquartered in [[New York City]] and founded in 1999, Smile Train provides free corrective cleft surgery in 87 countries,<ref name=chinadaily>{{cite news|url=http://www.chinadailyasia.com/life/2013-10/24/content_15094499.html|title=Driven by smiles|author=Liu Zhihua|newspaper=China Daily|date=24 October 2013|accessdate=6 May 2014}}</ref> training local doctors and providing hospital funding for the procedures.<ref name=chinadaily/>

Headquartered in [[New York City]] and founded in 1999, Smile Train provides free corrective cleft surgery in 87 countries,<ref name=chinadaily>{{cite web|url=http://www.chinadailyasia.com/life/2013-10/24/content_15094499.html|title=Driven by smiles|author=Liu Zhihua|publisher=China Daily|date=24 October 2013|accessdate=6 May 2014}}</ref> training local doctors and providing hospital funding for the procedures.<ref name=chinadaily/>

According to ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine, Smile Train is the 72nd largest charity in America.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/smile-train/|title=Smile Train|publisher=''[[Forbes]]''|accessdate=6 May 2014}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Smile Train was created in 1998 by Brian Mullaney and [[Charles Wang]], who had previously worked with [[Operation Smile]], another charity focused on correcting cleft lips and palates.<ref name=hamptonroads>{{cite web|url=http://hamptonroads.com/2013/11/two-sides-charity-competing-compassion|title=Two sides of charity: Competing, compassion|first=Elizabeth|last=Simpson|work=The Virginian-Pilot|date=17 November 2013|accessdate=20 May 2014}}</ref> They felt the most efficient way to provide cleft surgery was to train and support local doctors rather than to fly in Western doctors to provide surgeries in poor, developing countries.<ref name=hamptonroads/><ref name=nytimes>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/magazine/09WWLN-freakonomics-t.html|title=Bottom-Line Philanthropy|first1=Stephen J.|last1=Dubner|first2=Steven D.|last2=Levitt|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=9 March 2008|accessdate=20 May 2014}}</ref> Local doctors would also be able to provide care year-round rather than the limited engagements of the "mission-based" model.<ref name=hamptonroads/><ref name=nytimes/>
Smile Train was created in 1998 by Brian Mullaney and [[Charles Wang]], who had previously worked with [[Operation Smile]], another charity focused on correcting cleft lips and palates.<ref name=hamptonroads>{{cite web|url=http://hamptonroads.com/2013/11/two-sides-charity-competing-compassion|title=Two sides of charity: Competing, compassion|first=Elizabeth|last=Simpson|website=The Virginian-Pilot|date=17 November 2013|accessdate=20 May 2014}}</ref> They felt the most efficient way to provide cleft surgery was to train and support local doctors rather than to fly in Western doctors to provide surgeries in poor, developing countries.<ref name=hamptonroads/><ref name=nytimes>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/magazine/09WWLN-freakonomics-t.html|title=Bottom-Line Philanthropy|first1=Stephen J.|last1=Dubner|first2=Steven D.|last2=Levitt|newspaper=The New York Times|date=9 March 2008|accessdate=20 May 2014}}</ref> Local doctors would also be able to provide care year-round rather than the limited engagements of the "mission-based" model.<ref name=hamptonroads/><ref name=nytimes/> In 1999, Smile Train approached Court B. Cutting of [[New York University|New York University's]] Virtual Research Laboratory to create training videos, which could be used to train local doctors on how to perform advanced cleft surgery techniques.<ref name=nytimes2>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/02/health/02clef.html?pagewanted=print&_r=1&&gwh=EFE2B16F1E12C618442EFEB1631982EA&gwt=regi|title=Cleft Palate Practice, Pre-Surgery|author=Amanda Schaffer|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=2 August 2005|accessdate=20 May 2014}}</ref> The 3D models used in the videos were based on the [[X-ray computed tomography|CT scan]] of two Chinese patients.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1055/s-2005-925901 |pmc=2884744 |title=The Role of Computer Graphics in Cleft Lip and Palate Education |journal=Seminars in Plastic Surgery |volume=19 |issue=4 |pages=286–93 |year=2005 |last1=Oliker |first1=Aaron |last2=Cutting |first2=Court }}</ref> Smile Train distributes the DVDs to local doctors worldwide.<ref name=nytimes/><ref name=nytimes2/> The DVDs are available in English, Spanish, and Mandarin.<ref name=virtualsurgery>{{cite journal |doi=10.1109/MCG.2005.26 |pmid=15691163 |title=Virtual surgery brings back smiles |journal=IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=6–11 |year=2005 |last1=Sheppard |first1=L.M }}</ref>


In 1999, Smile Train began providing corrective surgeries in China.<ref name=chinadaily/> The charity worked with the then-American and Chinese presidents, [[George H.W. Bush]] and [[Jiang Zemin]], in the planning of Smile Train's first operation in China.<ref name=harvardmagazine>{{cite web|url=http://harvardmagazine.com/2009/09/smile-trains-brian-mullaney?page=all|title=Scaling Up Charity|first=Nell Porter|last=Brown|work=[[Harvard Magazine]]|date=September–October 2009|accessdate=20 May 2014}}</ref> As of 2013, the charity had provided approximately 300,000 corrective surgeries in partnership with 397 local hospitals within China.<ref name=chinadaily/>
In 1999, Smile Train began providing corrective surgeries in China.<ref name=chinadaily/> The charity worked with the then-American and Chinese presidents, [[George H. W. Bush]] and [[Jiang Zemin]], in the planning of Smile Train's first operation in China.<ref name=harvardmagazine>{{cite web|url=http://harvardmagazine.com/2009/09/smile-trains-brian-mullaney?page=all|title=Scaling Up Charity|first=Nell Porter|last=Brown|website=[[Harvard Magazine]]|date=September–October 2009|accessdate=20 May 2014}}</ref>{{citation needed|reason=The Harvard Magazine source is being correctly quoted but the source is in error, as George H. W. Bush left office in January 1993. Perhaps it really meant his son George W.Bush, although the article at least seems to be talking about 1997-1998, and the younger Bush only became President in 2001. It is unclear how much this error should affect the credibility of the rest of this so-called Reliable Souurce.|date=October 2020}}


Smile Train began working in India in 2000.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.4103/0970-0358.57186 |pmid=19884676 |pmc=2825070 |title=Smile Train: The ascendancy of cleft care in India |journal=Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery |volume=42 |issue=3 |pages=S192–8 |year=2009 |last1=Singh |first1=Subodhkumar }}</ref> In 2011, [[Aishwarya Rai]], a [[Bollywood]] actress and former [[Miss World]], became Smile Train's first goodwill ambassador.<ref name="Hindustan Times">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/entertainment/aishwarya-gets-a-cleft-smile-for-charity/article1-721445.aspx|title=Aishwarya gets a cleft smile for charity|work=Hindustan Times|date=15 July 2011|accessdate=20 May 2014}}</ref> By 2013, Smile Train was conducting 50,000 corrective surgeries in India annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon-2013/top-stories/11-year-old-Smile-Train-patient-Pinki-Sonkar-to-flip-coin-at-Wimbledon/articleshow/20630941.cms|title=11-year-old Smile Train patient Pinki Sonkar to flip coin at Wimbledon|first=Kounteya|last=Sinha|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=17 June 2013|accessdate=20 May 2014}}</ref>
Smile Train began working in India in 2000.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.4103/0970-0358.57186 |pmid=19884676 |pmc=2825070 |title=Smile Train: The ascendancy of cleft care in India |journal=Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery |volume=42 |issue=3 |pages=S192–8 |year=2009 |last1=Singh |first1=Subodhkumar |doi-access=free }}</ref> In 2011, [[Aishwarya Rai]], a [[Bollywood]] actress and former [[Miss World]], became Smile Train's first goodwill ambassador.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.today/20140520225709/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/entertainment/aishwarya-gets-a-cleft-smile-for-charity/article1-721445.aspx | title=Archive.ph }}</ref>


==Early recognition and criticism==
In 2006, Smile Train co-founded the Pan African Congress on Cleft Lip and Palate.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.11604/pamj.2012.12.15.1638 |doi-broken-date=2017-10-02 }}</ref> The charity also funded the 2008 Pan African Anaesthesia Symposium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://training.amref.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=98:pan-african-anaesthesia-symposium&catid=52:news-events&Itemid=162|title=Pan African Anaesthesia Symposium|publisher=AMREF|accessdate=20 May 2014}}</ref>
In a 2008 ''[[New York Times]]'' article, economist [[Steven Levitt]] of ''[[Freakonomics]]'' fame indicated that the organization's model and its technological innovations "likely make Smile Train one of the most productive charities, dollar for deed, in the world."<ref>{{cite magazine | title = Bottom-Line Philanthropy | magazine = The New York Times Magazine | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/magazine/09WWLN-freakonomics-t.html?ref=magazine | first1=Stephen J. | last1=Dubner | first2=Steven D. | last2=Levitt | date=March 9, 2008}}</ref>


In 2009, the documentary ''[[Smile Pinki]]'', which was sponsored by Smile Train and directed by [[Megan Mylan]], won the 2008 [[Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film|Oscar for Best Documentary (Short Subject)]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Nominees & Winners for the 81st Academy Awards | publisher = The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | url = http://www.oscars.org/awards/81academyawards/nominees.html}}</ref> The film shows the story of a poor girl in rural India whose life is transformed when she receives free surgery to correct her cleft lip.
In October 2010, Smile Train experienced a major leadership change which included the departure of Mullaney and other top executives.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://pilotonline.com/news/local/health/operation-smile-and-smile-train-to-merge-charities/article_3ebcafa8-263f-5f64-9d9f-a7085ff01e5a.html|title=Operation Smile and Smile Train to merge charities|first=Elizabeth|last=Simpson|accessdate=March 11, 2016|date=February 15, 2011|work=[[The Virginian-Pilot]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thenonprofittimes.com/news-articles/smile-merger-fell-apart-amid-months-of-internal-bickering/|title=Smile Merger Fell Apart Amid Months of Internal Bickering|work=[[The NonProfit Times]]|first=Mark|last=Hrywna|date=April 1, 2011|accessdate=March 11, 2016}}</ref>


Smile Train worked with the Scottish charity [[KidsOR]] to revamp 30 operating theatres in Africa. This encompassed three in Nigeria, including in [[Kano (city)|Kano]], revamping an operating theatre there in the city's Armed Forces Specialist Hospital in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-24 |title=Smile Train, KidsOR donates pediatric facilities to Armed Forces Specialist Hospital Kano |url=https://editor.guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/smile-train-kidsor-donates-pediatric-facilities-to-armed-forces-specialist-hospital-kano/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}</ref>
Smile Train unveiled a new advertising campaign, "The Power of a Smile", in April 2014.<ref name=forbes>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferrooney/2014/04/03/smile-train-breaks-away-from-formulaic-charity-advertising-in-new-campaign/|title=Smile Train Breaks Away from Formulaic Charity Advertising in New Campaign|author=Jennifer Rooney|work=[[Forbes]]|date=3 April 2014|accessdate=6 May 2014}}</ref> The campaign featured work from [[Kátia Lund]] and photojournalist [[Alex Webb (photographer)|Alex Webb]], and coincided with the release of a new organizational logo.<ref name=forbes/> That same month, Smile Train also held an event at the [[Barclays Center]] to celebrate its millionth cleft operation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/helaina-hovitz/all-aboard-the-smile-trai_b_5102787.html|title=All Aboard the Smile Train: Organization Brightens One Million Young Lives|first=Helaina|last=Hovitz|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=7 April 2014|accessdate=20 May 2014}}</ref>


In 2008, [[CharityWatch]] criticized then-president Brian Mullaney's $420,209 salary and questioned the 2007 company's tax form, which said Mullaney's salary came from temporary restricted funds designed to go toward overhead.<ref>http://www.charitywatch.org/articles/smiletrain.html{{full citation needed|date=June 2018}}</ref> In 2009, [[Givewell]] could not assess the impact of Smile Train's activities based on the charity's 2008 tax form and other publicly accessible information.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.givewell.org/international/charities/Smile-Train|title=Smile Train|publisher=GiveWell|accessdate=21 May 2014}}</ref> Mullaney departed the charity in 2012.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Strom |first=Stephanie |date=2011-02-24 |title=Opposition Arises to Charities' Merger |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/business/24smile.html |access-date=2022-11-08 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
===Smile Train and Operation Smile===
In early 2011, Smile Train and [[Operation Smile]] announced the two charities would merge,<ref name="pr">{{cite news
| url = http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smile-train-and-operation-smile-boards-agree-to-merge-116178239.html
| title = Smile Train and Operation Smile Boards Agree to Merge
| publisher = PR Newswire
| date=February 14, 2011
| accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="pilotonline2">{{cite web
| url = http://hamptonroads.com/2011/02/operation-smile-and-smile-train-merge-charities
| title = Operation Smile and Smile Train to merge charities
| accessdate =
| publisher = The Virginian Pilot, Pilotonline.com, February 15, 2011
}}</ref> followed three weeks later by announcements the merger had been aborted,<ref name="nyt2011">{{cite news
| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/07/business/07charity.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=operation%20smile&st=cse
| title = 2 Charities Set to End a Merger, Papers Say
| work = The New York Times
| date=March 6, 2011
| accessdate=}}</ref> Smile Train having canceled the union.<ref name="npt">{{cite news
| url = http://www.nptimes.com/11Mar/03072011.html| title = Smile Organizations Break Off Engagement
| work = The Non-Profit Times
| author = Mark Hrywna
| date=March 7, 2011
| accessdate=}}</ref> Smile Train's board also named Priscilla Ma the [[executive director]] of the organization, while other board members and directors stepped down.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.smiletrain.org/site/PageServer?pagename=executive_team_pr | title = Smile Train Board Votes to Call off Merger | accessdate = 2011-04-07 | publisher = Smile Train }}</ref>

In 2009, Smile Train initiated an advertising campaign<ref name="feud2">{{cite web
| title = 'Smile' charity leaders in midst of decade-long feud
| publisher = The Virginian Pilot
| author = Elizabeth Simpson
| date = December 20, 2009
| quote = The Richmond Times-Dispatch published the ad on Dec. 3, and Mullaney said he is considering running it in other publications.
| url = http://hamptonroads.com/2009/12/smile-charity-leaders-midst-decadelong-feud}}</ref> in the ''[[Richmond Times-Dispatch]]'' highlighting Smile Train's attempts between 2006 and 2009 to donate nearly $9 million to [[Operation Smile]],<ref name="lettertoeditor">{{cite web
| title = Smiles to frowns
| publisher = The Virginian Pilot, Letter to the Editor, Brian Mullaney, Dec 28, 2009
| url = http://hamptonroads.com/2009/12/smiles-frowns}}</ref> the organization Brian Mullaney had split from in 1998 in what Mullaney described as a "messy divorce".<ref name="feud">{{cite web | title = 'Smile' charity leaders in midst of decade-long feud | publisher = The Virginian Pilot, Elizabeth Simpson, December 20, 2009 | url = http://hamptonroads.com/2009/12/smile-charity-leaders-midst-decadelong-feud}}</ref> In the ad, Mullaney contended Operation Smile was refusing money that could benefit children, later calling the situation "shameful";<ref name="lettertoeditor"/> Mullaney also noted that he respects that in some countries need overwhelms available doctors and he had "a newfound respect for what Operation Smile does".<ref name="feud"/> The ''Virginian Pilot'' outlined the history and differences between the two organizations and indicated Mullaney wanted the two organizations to reconcile.<ref name="feud"/> At the time, Dr. Magee of Operation Smile declined a newspaper interview, and Operation Smile formally responded to the ad campaign, saying the two organizations "have different operating philosophies and business ethics", and that Operation Smile would continue foregoing donations from an "unproductive relationship".<ref name="feud"/>

==Technology==
In 1999, Smile Train approached Dr. Court B. Cutting of [[New York University|New York University's]] Virtual Research Laboratory to create training videos, which could be used to train local doctors on how to perform advanced cleft surgery techniques.<ref name=nytimes2>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/02/health/02clef.html?pagewanted=print&_r=1&&gwh=EFE2B16F1E12C618442EFEB1631982EA&gwt=regi|title=Cleft Palate Practice, Pre-Surgery|author=Amanda Schaffer|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=2 August 2005|accessdate=20 May 2014}}</ref> The 3D models used in the videos were based on the [[X-ray computed tomography|CT scan]] of two Chinese patients.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1055/s-2005-925901 |pmc=2884744 |title=The Role of Computer Graphics in Cleft Lip and Palate Education |journal=Seminars in Plastic Surgery |volume=19 |issue=4 |pages=286–93 |year=2005 |last1=Oliker |first1=Aaron |last2=Cutting |first2=Court }}</ref> Smile Train distributes the DVDs to local doctors worldwide.<ref name=nytimes/><ref name=nytimes2/> The DVDs are available in English, Spanish, and Mandarin.<ref name=virtualsurgery>{{cite journal |doi=10.1109/MCG.2005.26 |pmid=15691163 |title=Virtual surgery brings back smiles |journal=IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=6–11 |year=2005 |last1=Sheppard |first1=L.M }}</ref>

Smile Train later used the 3D models of the two Chinese patients to build the first 3D open access virtual surgical simulator, which teaches cleft palate and lip surgery to doctors in developing countries.<ref name=nydaily>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/app-map-human-body-charts-generation-surgery-article-1.1575734|title=App’s map of the human body also charts next generation of surgical training |author=Tracy Miller|publisher=''[[New York Daily News]]''|date=10 January 2014|accessdate=20 May 2014}}</ref> The simulator, which was created in partnership with BioDigital Systems, is web-based, open source and available for free.<ref name=nydaily/> It does not require any special hardware to use.<ref name=newsmedicine>{{cite web|url=http://news.medicine.iu.edu/releases/2014/03/smiletrain.shtml|title=IU surgeon leads innovative app to train remote physicians in cleft palate repair|publisher=Indiana University|accessdate=20 May 2014}}</ref> A mobile application is under development.<ref name=newsmedicine/> In September 2014, Smile Train showcased a 3D virtual surgery simulator at [[TEDMED]] 2014 in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite web|author=Alan Cole |title=Charity's 3D surgery simulator|url = http://www.xperedon.com/news/2823/tech-charity-s-3d-surgery-simulator.html |date=28 July 2014|accessdate=8 August 2014|publisher=Xperedon}}</ref>

Smile Train maintains Smile Train Express (STX), an internet-based, digital patient record database.<ref name=harvardmagazine/><ref name=virtualsurgery/> STX enables Smile Train to have outside medical experts review patient records and quality of care.<ref name=nytimes/><ref name=harvardmagazine/> The charity also boasts a large medical research library with more than 1,000 articles related to clefts accessible online for free.<ref>{{cite web | title = Medical Research Library | publisher = Smile Train | url = http://www.smiletrain.org/medical/medical-research-library/}}</ref>

==Partnerships and supporters==
Smile Train helps the cause of cleft care through its funding of 1,000+ active partners representing nearly 1,200 hospitals and 2,300 partner surgeons in the world’s poorest nations; through these local partnerships, the organization is able to provide free surgery for children any day of the year, with more than one million total surgeries performed as of 2016.<ref>{{cite web | title = Smile Train Report Card | publisher = Smile Train | url = http://www.smiletrain.org/our-model/}}</ref>

In addition to partnerships with cleft care organizations, Smile Train has partnered with other individuals organizations in an effort to improve safety and quality at their partner hospitals, such as Dr. [[Atul Gawande]], [[World Health Organization]], World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(10)62323-9 |pmid=21210524 |title=Pulse oximeters breathe life into surgery in poorer nations |journal=The Lancet |volume=377 |issue=9759 |pages=17–8 |year=2011 |last1=Kirby |first1=Tony }}</ref> and Lifebox.<ref>{{cite web | title = Lifebox and Smile Train | publisher = Lifebox | url = http://www.lifebox.org/project-updates/smile-train/}}</ref>

Smile Train has a number of corporate partnerships, including Artisanal Cheese,<ref>{{cite web | title = Say Cheese...Share a Smile! | publisher = Artisanal Cheese | url = http://www.artisanalcheese.com/saycheese/}}</ref> Dubai Duty Free,<ref>{{cite web | title = Dubai Duty Free donates US$1.5 million to The Smile Train at Miles for Smiles fun run in Dubai – 21/11/09 | publisher = Moodie Report | url = http://www.moodiereport.com/document.php?c_id=0&doc_id=22439}}</ref> [[Estée Lauder Companies|Estée Lauder]], [[FedEx]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Corporate Partners | publisher = Smile Train | url = http://www.smiletrain.org/about/corporate-partners.html}}</ref> [[QBE Insurance|QBE]]<ref>{{cite web | title = QBE Presents Smile Train with $100,000 Grant | publisher = PR Newswire | url =http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qbe-presents-smile-train-with-100000-grant-135867848.html}}</ref> The Queens Flowers,<ref>{{cite web | title = Limited-edition Bouquet Blooms at Ahold USA Banners | publisher = Progressive Grocer | url =http://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-stories/headlines/corporate-responsibility/id33354/limited-edition-bouquet-blooms-at-ahold-usa-banners/}}</ref> Mars Retail Group <ref>{{cite web | title = Smile Train, Inc. Announces Partnership with Mars Retail Group, Inc | publisher = Bloomberg Businessweek | url = http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=117560507}}</ref> and [[Vertu]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Vertu Constellation Smile | publisher = Vertu | url = http://www.vertu.com/en/collections/constellation/smile.aspx}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Vertu Constellation Smile | publisher = YouTube | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SM62tfdw8Y}}</ref> These partnerships, in addition to those in partnership with donors on grassroots efforts, serve to both raise money and spread awareness.

Current and former supporters include: [[Tatyana Ali]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Tatyana Ali Vists Smile Train | publisher = YouTube | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44dnuXPFKbQ}}</ref> [[John Bishop (comedian)|John Bishop]], [[Christie Brinkley]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Christie Brinkley Named Global Ambassador Of World Smile Day 2012 On Behalf Of Smile Train | publisher = PR Newswire | url = http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/christie-brinkley-named-global-ambassador-of-world-smile-day-2012-on-behalf-of-smile-train-170680796.html}}</ref> [[Dean Cain]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Give a Smile: Celebs Help Fix Clefts | publisher = The Daily Activist | url = http://www.thedailyactivist.com/celebrity-charities-smile-train-dean-cain/}}</ref> [[Stephen Colbert]], [[Kevin Connolly (actor)|Kevin Connolly]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Smile Train Welcomes the Holiday Giving Season | publisher = PR Newswire | url = http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smile-train-welcomes-the-holiday-giving-season-135503713.html}}</ref> [[Walter Cronkite]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Smile Train Suporter, Walter Kronkite | publisher = YouTube | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac7KndyZrTk}}</ref> [[Erik Estrada]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Erik's Charities | publisher = Erik Estrada Official Web Site | url = http://www.erikestrada.com/partners_charities}}</ref> Lucy Hale, [[Sammi Hanratty]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Sammi Hanratty To Make Charity Visit To Peru | publisher = Look to the Stars, The World of Celebrity Giving | url = http://www.looktothestars.org/news/7248-sammi-hanratty-to-make-charity-visit-to-peru}}</ref> [[Rebecca Herbst]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Smile Train and Rebecca Herbst – Changing Lives one Smile at a Time | publisher = Hollywood Today | url = http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/2012/12/14/smile-train-and-rebecca-herbst-changing-lives-one-smile-at-a-time/}}</ref> [[Jane Kaczmarek]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Caught Caring: Jane Kaczmarek and Smile Train | publisher = People | url = http://celebritybabies.people.com/2010/01/21/caught-caring-jane-kaczmarek-and-smile-train/}}</ref> [[Howie Mandel]], [[Mary McCartney]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Vertu and Smile Train Present Their First Charity Handset Constellation Smile With a Private View by Mary McCartney | publisher = McCartney Photo Blog | url = http://mccartneyphoto.blogspot.com/2012/06/vertu-and-smile-train-present-their.html}}</ref> [[Reba McEntire]],<ref>{{cite web | title = ACM Lifting Lives My Cause: Reba McEntire- Smile Train | publisher = Academy of Country Music | url = http://acmcountry.staging.busites.com/videos.html?ma_id=1&mc_id=73}}</ref> [[Bette Midler]], [[Jimmy Pardo]],<ref>{{cite news | title = Jimmy Pardo Tells Conan About His 'Pardcast-A-Thon' Podcast For Charity | publisher = Huffington Post | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/21/jimmy-pardo-tells-conan-about-marathon-charity-podcast_n_1105936.html | first=Ross | last=Luippold | date=November 21, 2011}}</ref> [[General Colin Powell]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Smile Train's 10 Year Anniversary Celebration | publisher = WireImage | url = http://www.wireimage.com/celebrity-pictures/Jane-Kaczmarek-Alma-Powell-and-Colin-Powell-attend-Smile-Trains-10/85472787}}</ref> [[Aishwarya Rai Bachchan]],<ref name="Hindustan Times" /> [[Carly Simon]] and [[Hilary Swank]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Celebrity Supporters | publisher = Smile Train | url = http://www.smiletrain.org/about/celebrity-supporters.html}}</ref>

==Recognition==
In a 2008 ''[[New York Times]]'' article, economist [[Steven Levitt]] of ''[[Freakonomics]]'' fame indicated that the organization's model and its technological innovations "likely make Smile Train one of the most productive charities, dollar for deed, in the world."<ref>{{cite news | title = Bottom-Line Philanthropy | publisher = The New York Times Magazine | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/magazine/09WWLN-freakonomics-t.html?ref=magazine | first1=Stephen J. | last1=Dubner | first2=Steven D. | last2=Levitt | date=March 9, 2008}}</ref>

In 2008, Smile Train was the runner-up in the Health-Care IT category of the ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' Technology Innovation Awards in recognition for their surgical technique training videos.<ref>{{cite web | title = 2008 Technology Innovation Winners and Runners-Up | publisher = Dow Jones | url = http://www.dowjones.com/innovation/ei_winners_2008.html}}</ref> The Virtual Surgery Simulator was recognized in 2013 by the National Training Simulation Association (NTSA), a subsidiary of the [[National Defense Industrial Association]] (NDIA), receiving an award in the "training" category.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iitsec.org/Documents/IITSEC_2013_Show_Daily/IITSEC13_Day4.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=February 17, 2016|title=2013 NTSA Modeling & Simulation Awards|page=20|work=I/ITSEC Show Daily|publisher=National Training Simulation Association|date=December 5, 2013}}</ref>

In 2009, the documentary ''[[Smile Pinki]]'', which was sponsored by Smile Train and directed by [[Megan Mylan]], won the 2008 Oscar for Best Documentary (Short Subject).<ref>{{cite web | title = Nominees & Winners for the 81st Academy Awards | publisher = The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | url = http://www.oscars.org/awards/81academyawards/nominees.html}}</ref> The film shows the story of a poor girl in rural India whose life is transformed when she receives free surgery to correct her cleft lip. Free copies of the film are available through Smile Train's website.<ref>{{cite web | title = Get Smile Pinki | publisher = Smile Train | url = http://www.smiletrain.org/order/get-smile-pinki.html}}</ref> In 2013, the documentary ''Dzachuka’s Smile'', which was co-produced by [[China Central Television]] Documentary Channel (CCTV) and Smile Train, received the Gold Panda Award for Best Documentary in Society for Asian Production at the 2013 Sichuan TV Festival. The documentary follows the Lamu Sisters’ efforts to help children with clefts living on the Dzachuka Plateau.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-353013958.html|title=Smile Train's 'DZACHUKA'S SMILE' Wins Gold Panda Award for Best Documentary in Society for Asian Production at the 2013 Sichuan TV Festival|accessdate=February 17, 2016|work=China Weekly News|date=December 3, 2013}}</ref>

In 2016, ''World Journal of Surgery'' published the comprehensive independent study "Economic Valuation of the Global Burden of Cleft Disease Averted by a Large Cleft Charity", which was conducted using data from 547,769 Smile Train patient records of primary cleft procedures (58 percent cleft lip repairs, 42 percent cleft palate repairs). The study measured the economic impact of cleft repair surgery over a ten-year period (2001–2011) and "[quantified] the burden of disease averted through the global surgical work of a large cleft charity". It concluded that for each $250 cleft repair surgery, as much as $50,000 is returned to the local economy as patients contribute to productivity. The total economic impact achieved as a result of their cleft repair surgeries in 83 countries between 2001 and 2011 amounts to as much as $27 billion.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1007/s00268-015-3367-z |pmid=26669788 |title=Economic Valuation of the Global Burden of Cleft Disease Averted by a Large Cleft Charity |journal=World Journal of Surgery |volume=40 |issue=5 |pages=1053–9 |year=2015 |last1=Poenaru |first1=Dan |last2=Lin |first2=Dan |last3=Corlew |first3=Scott }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smiletrain.org/about/press-releases/global-economic-impact-study.html|title=Cleft Repair Surgery, Costing $250, Contributes up to $50,000 to Local Economy, According to New Study Featuring Smile Train|date=January 2, 2016|accessdate=March 11, 2016|publisher=Smile Train}}</ref>

==Criticism==
In 2008, [[Charity Watch]] criticized then-president Brian Mullaney's $420,209 salary and questioned the 2007 company's tax form, which said Mullaney's salary came from temporary restricted funds designed to go toward overhead.<ref>http://www.charitywatch.org/articles/smiletrain.html{{full}}</ref>

In 2009, [[Givewell]] could not assess the impact of Smile Train's activities based on the charity's 2008 tax form and other publicly accessible information.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.givewell.org/international/charities/Smile-Train|title=Smile Train|publisher=GiveWell|accessdate=21 May 2014}}</ref>

Smile Train Canada's charity status was revoked on July 4, 2015 after 6 years of operation by Canada's Charities Directorate for failure to allocate donates towards charity purposes, failure to carry out its charity work, failure to file accurate information and other serious deficiencies. <ref>{{cite web|title=CRA revokes charity status of Smile Train Canada after fundraising spending flagged by Financial Post|url=http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/taxes/cra-revokes-charity-status-of-smile-train-canada-after-fundraising-spending-flagged-by-financial-post|website=Financial Post|date=20 July 2016}}</ref>

==Key personnel==
The organizations key personnel are:<ref>{{cite web | title = The People Behind Smile Train | publisher = Smile Train | url = http://www.smiletrain.org/about/meet-our-team.html}}</ref>

* Charles B. Wang, Founder and Chairman, Smile Train
* Susannah Schaefer, Executive Vice Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Smile Train
* Robert T. Bell, Executive Director, Charles B. Wang International Foundation
* Michael J. Dowling, President and Chief Executive Officer, Northwell Health<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael J. Dowling|url=https://www.northwell.edu/about/vision-and-leadership/leadership-team/michael-j-dowling|publisher=Northwell Health|accessdate=February 2, 2016}}</ref>
* Ed Goren, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Goren Media Group
* Arthur J. McCarthy, Chief Financial Officer, [[NeuLion]]
* Roy E. Reichbach, General Counsel, NeuLion
* Richard A. Ruderman, President and CEO, Krieger Ruderman & Co., LLC

==Financials==

Smile Train complies with the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability established by the [[Better Business Bureau]] Wise Giving Alliance.<ref name="BBB">{{cite web | url = http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/human-services/smile-train-in-new-york-ny-644 | title = BBB Wise Giving Report forSmile Train| publisher = Better Business Bureau}}</ref> The alliance was developed to "assist donors in making sound giving decisions and to foster public confidence in charitable organizations".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbb.org/us/standards-for-charity-accountability/|title=Standards for Charity Accountability|publisher=Better Business Bureau|accessdate=21 May 2014}}</ref>

According to Smile Train's 2012 annual report, management and general expenses account for $1.9 million (1.2%) of total expenses.<ref name=2012annual>{{cite web|url=http://www.smiletrain.org/assets/pdfs/2012-annual-report.pdf|title=2012 Annual Report|publisher=Smile Train|accessdate=21 May 2014}}</ref> $132.4 million (81.8%) went to program services and $27.6 million (17%) to fundraising.<ref name=2012annual/> Total support and revenue for 2012 was $175 million.<ref name=2012annual/>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of cleft lip and palate organisations]]
*[[List of cleft lip and palate organisations]]
*[[List of non-governmental organizations in the People's Republic of China]]
*[[List of non-governmental organizations in the People's Republic of China]]

==External links==
* [https://www.smiletrain.org Official website]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


{{Cleft lip and palate}}
{{Cleft lip and palate}}


[[Category:Charities based in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Charities based in New York City]]
[[Category:Children's charities based in the United States]]
[[Category:Children's charities based in the United States]]
[[Category:Health charities in the United States]]
[[Category:Health charities in the United States]]
[[Category:International charities]]
[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in New York City]]
[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Oral and maxillofacial surgery organizations]]
[[Category:Oral and maxillofacial surgery organizations]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1999]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1999]]
[[Category:Medical and health organizations based in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Medical and health organizations based in New York (state)]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in New York (state)]]

Latest revision as of 14:54, 7 April 2024

This article is about a charity. For a Seibu Railway train with the same nickname, see Seibu 30000 series.
Smile Train
Formation1999; 25 years ago (1999)
Type501(c)(3) nonprofit
HeadquartersNew York City, New York, United States
Susannah Schaefer
Websitesmiletrain.org

Smile Train is a nonprofit organization and charity providing corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates.[1] Headquartered in New York City and founded in 1999, Smile Train provides free corrective cleft surgery in 87 countries,[2] training local doctors and providing hospital funding for the procedures.[2]

History

[edit]

Smile Train was created in 1998 by Brian Mullaney and Charles Wang, who had previously worked with Operation Smile, another charity focused on correcting cleft lips and palates.[3] They felt the most efficient way to provide cleft surgery was to train and support local doctors rather than to fly in Western doctors to provide surgeries in poor, developing countries.[3][4] Local doctors would also be able to provide care year-round rather than the limited engagements of the "mission-based" model.[3][4] In 1999, Smile Train approached Court B. Cutting of New York University's Virtual Research Laboratory to create training videos, which could be used to train local doctors on how to perform advanced cleft surgery techniques.[5] The 3D models used in the videos were based on the CT scan of two Chinese patients.[6] Smile Train distributes the DVDs to local doctors worldwide.[4][5] The DVDs are available in English, Spanish, and Mandarin.[7]

In 1999, Smile Train began providing corrective surgeries in China.[2] The charity worked with the then-American and Chinese presidents, George H. W. Bush and Jiang Zemin, in the planning of Smile Train's first operation in China.[8][citation needed]

Smile Train began working in India in 2000.[9] In 2011, Aishwarya Rai, a Bollywood actress and former Miss World, became Smile Train's first goodwill ambassador.[10]

Early recognition and criticism

[edit]

In a 2008 New York Times article, economist Steven Levitt of Freakonomics fame indicated that the organization's model and its technological innovations "likely make Smile Train one of the most productive charities, dollar for deed, in the world."[11]

In 2009, the documentary Smile Pinki, which was sponsored by Smile Train and directed by Megan Mylan, won the 2008 Oscar for Best Documentary (Short Subject).[12] The film shows the story of a poor girl in rural India whose life is transformed when she receives free surgery to correct her cleft lip.

Smile Train worked with the Scottish charity KidsOR to revamp 30 operating theatres in Africa. This encompassed three in Nigeria, including in Kano, revamping an operating theatre there in the city's Armed Forces Specialist Hospital in 2022.[13]

In 2008, CharityWatch criticized then-president Brian Mullaney's $420,209 salary and questioned the 2007 company's tax form, which said Mullaney's salary came from temporary restricted funds designed to go toward overhead.[14] In 2009, Givewell could not assess the impact of Smile Train's activities based on the charity's 2008 tax form and other publicly accessible information.[15] Mullaney departed the charity in 2012.[16]

See also

[edit]
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Domenico Nicosia (15 November 2013). "Ironman Arizona athletes raise funds for Smile Train to help kids". AZ Central. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  2. ^ a b c Liu Zhihua (24 October 2013). "Driven by smiles". China Daily. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Simpson, Elizabeth (17 November 2013). "Two sides of charity: Competing, compassion". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  4. ^ a b c Dubner, Stephen J.; Levitt, Steven D. (9 March 2008). "Bottom-Line Philanthropy". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  5. ^ a b Amanda Schaffer (2 August 2005). "Cleft Palate Practice, Pre-Surgery". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  6. ^ Oliker, Aaron; Cutting, Court (2005). "The Role of Computer Graphics in Cleft Lip and Palate Education". Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 19 (4): 286–93. doi:10.1055/s-2005-925901. PMC 2884744.
  7. ^ Sheppard, L.M (2005). "Virtual surgery brings back smiles". IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications. 25 (1): 6–11. doi:10.1109/MCG.2005.26. PMID 15691163.
  8. ^ Brown, Nell Porter (September–October 2009). "Scaling Up Charity". Harvard Magazine. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  9. ^ Singh, Subodhkumar (2009). "Smile Train: The ascendancy of cleft care in India". Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery. 42 (3): S192–8. doi:10.4103/0970-0358.57186. PMC 2825070. PMID 19884676.
  10. ^ "Archive.ph".
  11. ^ Dubner, Stephen J.; Levitt, Steven D. (March 9, 2008). "Bottom-Line Philanthropy". The New York Times Magazine.
  12. ^ "Nominees & Winners for the 81st Academy Awards". The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
  13. ^ "Smile Train, KidsOR donates pediatric facilities to Armed Forces Specialist Hospital Kano". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2022-01-24. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  14. ^ http://www.charitywatch.org/articles/smiletrain.html[full citation needed]
  15. ^ "Smile Train". GiveWell. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  16. ^ Strom, Stephanie (2011-02-24). "Opposition Arises to Charities' Merger". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
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