Creating Smiles, Improving Lives

Zain Sayyed

The University of Texas at Austin

Major: Public Health

I was drawn to Austin Smiles because I personally experienced a life-changing improvement in my quality of life after undergoing a breathing obstruction procedure. That transformation opened my eyes to how a single medical intervention can profoundly impact someone’s well-being. Seeing the work Austin Smiles does for children and communities—restoring not just their health, but their ability to thrive—inspires me to be a factor in delivering that same level of care to others. I’m inspired by the medical professionals who dedicate their skills to global missions, and I hope to one day use my own career to deliver that same life-changing impact on a global scale.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” — Leo Buscaglia