Our Missions
May 2023 – First Mission
- Location: Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
- Services: Excision and reconstruction of facial tumors, pathology, ankylosis and trauma
- Supplies delivered: Over $500,000 worth of donated equipment
- Impact: 25 patients treated, 30+ local professionals trained, and numerous lives changed
Smiling Surgeons Presentation to Malawi Initiatives 2023 View PDF
May 2024 – Second Mission
- Location: Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
- Services: Excision and reconstruction of facial tumors, pathology, ankylosis and trauma
- Supplies delivered: Over $500,000 worth of donated equipment
- Impact: Over 30 patients treated, 30+ local professionals trained, and numerous lives changed
2025 and Beyond – Future Plans
- Launch of Annual Mission Model: rotating surgical teams focused on sustainability
- Expansion into preventive dentistry, cleft care, and educational scholarships
- Establishment of "Miko Fellowship" for students in Malawi pursuing oral surgery
Explore The Missions To Malawi
In May 2023, the Smiling Surgeons team embarked on its first life-changing mission to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. Led by Dr. Tania Nkungula and Dr. Shelby Curtis, the team collaborated with local oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. James Mchenga to perform complex surgical procedures, including excision and reconstruction of facial tumors, trauma repair, and ankylosis treatment. Supported by over $500,000 worth of donated medical equipment, the mission successfully treated 25 patients and provided hands-on training to more than 30 Malawian healthcare professionals, leaving a lasting impact on local surgical care.
Building on that success, a second mission in May 2024 returned to the same hospital, expanding both the scope of treatment and professional development. Over 30 patients received advanced reconstructive care, and dozens of clinicians participated in specialized workshops and mentorship sessions. These missions laid the foundation for Smiling Surgeons’ long-term goal — establishing a sustainable model for global surgical outreach through education, compassion, and collaboration. Each trip continues to honor a legacy of healing, service, and shared humanity in the heart of Malawi.
Support Our 3rd Mission To Malawi
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and fund our 3rd Mission To Malawi
Medical Transformation
Every smile tells a story — one of courage, healing, and transformation. Through advanced dental and maxillofacial care, our team helps patients not only regain function but also rebuild self-esteem. The following before-and-after comparison highlights how compassionate surgical expertise can change lives forever.
Before: The patient experienced severe facial swelling and jaw restriction due to an untreated dental cyst and bone loss, which made eating and speaking difficult. Local access to specialized care was limited, causing the condition to progress over time. The physical discomfort was accompanied by emotional distress, affecting the patient’s confidence and daily interactions.
After: Following reconstructive oral surgery and bone grafting, normal function was fully restored. The surgical correction improved both facial symmetry and oral health, allowing the patient to smile, eat, and speak comfortably once again. Beyond the medical outcome, this transformation represents renewed hope and the ability to live life with dignity and confidence — one of many success stories made possible by the Smiling Surgeons mission.
