Creating Smiles, Improving Lives

Our History

“Austin Smiles’ guiding principle has always been to offer services where needed regardless of any reward, and to treat all patients to the best of our capability regardless of ability to pay.” – Dr. Jim Cullington, Founding Member

Volunteer

In 1985 and 1986, three of the first plastic surgeons in Austin, Texas – Dr. Patrick Beckham, Dr. Jim Cullington, and Dr. Jim Fox – came together, sharing their experiences doing medical mission work around the world. They wanted to advance their passion for volunteerism in the local Austin community. After a local measure was passed providing that all Austin doctors receive compensation for their “on-call” time, the three doctors felt inspired to start their philanthropic initiative with this unexpected, “extra” funding. Working with fellow doctors in the Austin Society of Plastic Surgeons and pooling these funds, the idea to provide free cleft lip/palate surgery came together in 1987. Austin Smiles – The Austin Plastic Surgery Foundation officially received its 501(c)3 nonprofit certification.

The founding members of Austin Smiles include Dr. Jim Cullington, Dr. Patrick Beckham, Dr. Jim Fox, Dr. William Barnes, Jr., Dr. Robert Clement, Dr. William Davis, Dr. Robert Ersek, Dr. William Gorman, Dr. Victor LiPalaez, Dr. Francis Morris, Dr. N.D. Moscoe, Dr. Richard Parker, Dr. David Turner, and Dr. Alfred Wilder. Austin Smiles started out doing local surgeries and supporting Austin’s Central Texas Cleft Lip and Palate Team. In 1988 the organization began going on mission trips to repair cleft lip/palate in Mexico. Since our inception, we have served over 5,000 patients and conducted over 100 medical trips to many countries including Brazil, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Micronesia, Nicaragua, and the Philippines. Austin Smiles is proud to have served under this principle for over 30 years.

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Austin Smiles is excited to receive invitations from countries all over the world. Our predominant partnerships are in El Salvador, Guatemala, & Mexico.
Here are some communities we’ve served since 1987.