Photo credit: Mabel Rodriguez

Surgical nurse Di Acevedo, R.N., comforts Iara Barrera, age 6, before having her lip surgery at Baptist Children’s Hospital. Nine South Florida children, teens and your adults received free operations as part of the hospital’s annual Day of Smiles event. Physicians from various specialties, along with nurses, technologists and other staff members, volunteered their time and expertise to provide free corrective surgeries for children whose families could not afford the procedures. This is the sixth time the hospital has donated its facilities and performed free surgeries for children in need. “We believe the hope and joy these corrective surgeries bring can make a big difference in their young lives,” said Randall Lee, vice president of Baptist Children’s Hospital.