Changing lives one smile at a time. Eighteen South 
Florida children, teens and young adults have a lot to smile about following Baptist Children’s Hospital’s Day of Smiles. Doctors from various specialties, along with nurses, technologists and other staff, volunteered their time and expertise to provide free corrective facial surgeries to children whose families could not otherwise afford the procedures.
(Pictured: Plastic surgeon Joo Bin, M.D., reassures patient Diana Miranda, age 10, before surgery to remove a large birthmark on her forehead.)
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, nose revisions, scars, burns, finger and toe deformities and several ear abnormalities. Although some of the surgeries took only about an hour or two to complete, the results will be life-altering for the young patients. They all look forward to a future free from the teasing they’ve endured and self-consciousness they’ve felt for looking different.
“It only takes a little bit of our time, but it impacts these children and their families for a lifetime,” said plastic surgeon Jhonny Salomon, M.D. In addition to Dr. Salomon, other physicians who donated their services were plastic surgeons Joel Levin, M.D., Andres Bustillo-Lopez, M.D., Rafael Gottenger, M.D., Felix Freshwater, M.D., Joo Bin, M.D., oral surgeon Joseph McCain, DMD, orthopedic surgeon Nestor Javech, M.D., and anesthesiologists Martin Moliver, M.D., Heide Rice, M.D., and Idelfonso Quintero, M.D. More than 50 other healthcare providers also volunteered that day.
This is the eighth year the hospital has donated its facilities and performed free operations for children in need. "Baptist Children's Hospital is committed to providing exceptional, compassionate care for children and families in our community,” said Randall Lee, administrator of Baptist Children’s Hospital. “Touching a child’s life in this way brings tremendous satisfaction to everyone involved, and we are proud to provide this special day.”
To be eligible for Day of Smiles, patients must meet certain surgical and financial guidelines. They must be 18 years old or younger and residents of Miami-Dade, Broward or Monroe County. Patients must also present documentation substantiating their parents' or guardian's previous 12 months gross income. For more information about financial guidelines for Day of Smiles 2010, call Pastoral Care at 786-596-6577.