Local Pediatrician Terri White Dedicates Time To Help Children Worldwide

Dec 01, 2021 at 03:50 pm by Staff


International Volunteer Day is a global celebration of volunteers. It takes place every year on December 5 to shine a light on the impact of volunteer efforts everywhere.

Volunteers are leading social change around the world. This special day promotes the work of volunteers at all levels, including local, national, and international.

Nashville local, Terri White, has made it her mission to help children worldwide receive safe surgery for their cleft conditions.

Dr. White is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Monroe Carol Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. She works 6 months of the year in the pediatric ER and then volunteers for medical missions during the other 6 months. Terri has been on 26 Operation Smile medical missions.

Terri volunteers with Operation Smile because they help people with cleft conditions around the world smile and live healthier, happier lives. "Regardless of language or cultural differences around the world, parents want the best for their children," explains Terri. "And there is no happier sound in the whole world than a child's laughter! I love to spend time with children and their families and help them in any way that I can. A smile is universal and needs no translation."

Operation Smile is a global surgical nonprofit that improves the health and dignity of patients living with cleft lip and cleft palate in low- and middle-income countries. Since 1982, Operation Smile has been committed to providing patients with health that lasts through life-saving cleft surgeries and comprehensive care, helping them to better breathe, eat, speak and live lives of greater quality and confidence. Its training and education programs elevate safe surgical standards and strengthen a global network to reach more people earlier in their lives. Learn more at www.operationsmile.org or by following @operationsmile on social media.