The PSF/Operation Smile International Scholarship

The Plastic Surgery Foundation greatly values the opportunity to partner with Operation Smile to send PSF fellows on international short-term surgical programs and other service delivery opportunities. This program will support six plastic surgeons who will attend surgical programs in Operation Smile partner hospitals to enhance skills and knowledge of cleft lip and palate, participate in Operation Smile medical conferences and attend Plastic Surgery The Meeting (PSTM).

As discussed, candidates will be selected by The PSF's International Scholar Committee. The Committee must include an ASPS member who is also an Operation Smile Surgeon. The committee will vet and select four plastic surgeons, less than five years in practice, with an interest in volunteer work.

These six candidates will embark upon a 10-14-day Operation Smile international short-term program or other service delivery opportunity in 2021, dependent on the safety of travel due to COVID-19. In addition, they will join the next Operation Smile hosted medical conference in 2021 to share in experiences with international participants from Operation Smile program countries and will be exposed to speakers covering topics such as surgical safety, humanitarian work, medical innovation, etc. Revised this year, due to COVID, scholars will attend virtual PSTM. The 2020 candidates will also be given the opportunity to travel and participate in plastic surgery.

Operation Smile will use its current infrastructure to promote, fund, organize and directly cover the costs of meals, airfare, ground transportation and other logistical details pertaining to the scholar's travel and PSTM registration fees.

Operation Smile will also promote the effort through international program promotion, pre-award application process and final applicant selection. A final report will be required from each candidate upon completion of their travel.

In addition to managing the selection process through the International Scholar Committee, The PSF will ensure to promote the scholarships to the ASPS membership via Plastic Surgery News, PSN News Bulletins and its website.