Twenty South Florida children and young adults were selected to receive free corrective facial and other clinically needed reconstructive procedures during Day of Smiles at Baptist Children’s Hospital on June 13. Doctors from various specialties, along with nurses, technologists and other staff provided their time and expertise to perform these procedures for children whose families are unable to pay for these types of treatments.

 

Before the sun was up, the hospital was alive with excitement and anticipation as the young patients and their families arrived. By morning’s end, doctors had repaired cleft lips and palates, performed nose and scar revisions and reconstructed ears.

 

“It only takes a little bit of our time, but it impacts these children and their families for a lifetime,” said Joel Levin, M.D., chief of plastic surgery at Baptist Hospital, part of Baptist Health South Florida. “It’s instant gratification for us.”

 

This is the 14th year the hospital has donated its facilities and performed free operations for children in need.