‘Now people accept me’: Brisbane surgeon changing kids’ lives all over the world

Through the incredible work of a Brisbane surgeon, more than 30,000 kids around the world can smile again. You won’t believe the transformations.

The future for tens of thousands of children from across the world is now as bright as their smiles thanks to the incredible work of a Brisbane surgeon.

Dr Richard Lewandowski, a plastic, craniofacial and reconstructive surgery specialist is the founder of Operation Smile Australia — a medical charity dedicated to helping children in low-income countries born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Jinden before her surgery.

Jinden after surgery.

The organisation – which is based at Brisbane’s Mater hospital – is celebrating its 25th anniversary, having changed the lives of more than 30,000 young people over that time.

To date it has sent 864 medical volunteers from Australia to 36 countries across South-East Asia, Africa and South America.

For one teen, Amrita – who lives in Mongolia – the operation to fix her cleft palate has opened up her world.

“Now that my cleft is repaired, I can focus on becoming a medical robotics engineer instead of always dealing with my medical condition,” she said.

“I speak Mongolian, English, Mandarin and Japanese. With unrepaired cleft, few people could understand me. Now I can fully express myself.”

Dr Richard Lewandowski, the Brisbane surgeon behind Operation Smile. Picture: Nigel Hallett

In addition to international missions, Operation Smile Australia’s World Care Program has brought 41 patients to the Mater for specialised treatment.

One of the patients flown to Brisbane for surgery was Anshuman Sharma from India who received surgery at the Mater in 2018.

“Anshuman was born with Apert syndrome, a condition that affects the skull, face and hands. The bones of the skull close prematurely, preventing the skull from growing normally and affecting the shape of the head and face,” Dr Lewandowski said.

Anshuman Sharma from India post-surgery with Dr Richard Lewandowski. Picture: Supplied.

“Anshuman underwent four separate surgeries with incredible results that have had a long-lasting impact on his life. He is now 22 years old, living in New Delhi and enrolled in a Bachelor of Law and Arts at National Law University in New Delhi.”

Dr Lewandowski was recently reunited with Anshuman while he was visiting Brisbane to attend his brother’s graduation at The University of Queensland.

“Before my surgery my life was troubled, because I was not accommodated in society,” Anshuman said. Now people accept me, he said.”

Dr Lewandowski described his time with Operation Smile as “an incredible journey”.

“What we do is much more than an operation. It’s life changing for children, their families and sometimes whole communities.

Kiran from India shows off her transformation. Picture: Operation Smile.

“Afterwards, the lives of our young patients can finally go back to normal. They are no longer ostracised by society, they are accepted and can go back to school, get an education and make a positive difference to others. It’s so gratifying to see and be part of that process.”

It was during a fellowship in the USA in the mid-1990s that Dr Lewandowski first met Dr Bill Magee, the founder of Operation Smile, who encouraged the young surgeon to recruit Australian volunteers to help children in need in the Asia-Pacific region.

With the support of wife Sue, the Mater Board and many colleagues at Mater, Operation Smile Australia was founded in 1999.

Danila, from Brazil. before her surgery.

Danila after the surgery.

Dr Lewandowski said Operation Smile Australia initially focused on sending volunteers on medical missions to South-East Asia to treat children born with cleft lip and palate conditions.

Over the years, the organisation has expanded its reach across Asia, as well as venturing into Africa and South America.

Cam from Vietnam.

A special focus has been on supporting and training advanced craniofacial surgery teams in Vietnam and the Philippines, ensuring future generations can receive complex care in their own countries.

“These programs not only deliver critical surgeries but also invest in local healthcare capacity, with the ultimate goal being for these countries to be fully self-sufficient in providing this level of surgical care,” Dr Lewandowski said.