Operation Smile was founded by Dr. William P. Magee, a plastic surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen, a nurse and clinical social worker. In 1982, the Magees traveled to the Philippines with a group of medical volunteers to repair children's cleft lips and cleft palates. They discovered hundreds of children ravaged by deformities, and although they helped many children, the volunteers were forced to turn away the majority of those who sought help. The Magees saw the need and Operation Smile was born.

In 20 years, Operation Smile's volunteers have provided free reconstructive surgery to tens of thousands of children and young adults in more than 20 developing countries and the United States, bringing them new hope and new lives. To recognize the outstanding contributions Operation Smile has made to alleviate human suffering, the first Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize was awarded to Operation Smile in 1996. In 1999, Operation Smile was awarded the Kellog's Hannah Neil World of Children Award, the first and only international award to recognize those who selflessly commit themselves to children. For nine weeks in 1999, Operation Smile conducted World Journey of Hope '99 Ð the largest-ever surgical mission dedicated to correcting cleft lips and cleft palates Ðbringing care to more than 5,000 children in 18 countries and the United States.