Innovation

Since 2010, Stryker and Operation Smile have worked together to provide free surgeries to children and adults with cleft lips and palates, transforming lives across the globe. This innovative partnership focuses on delivering critical surgical care and training to local healthcare professionals in underserved regions, particularly low- and middle-income countries, where cleft conditions often go untreated due to limited access to healthcare, financial resources, and medical training.

Stryker contributes advanced medical technology, financial support, and expertise to enhance Operation Smile’s efforts. The partnership not only provides essential surgeries but also empowers local healthcare workers by offering them the tools and training necessary to perform these life-changing procedures in their own communities. This approach ensures that sustainable healthcare solutions can be maintained long after the surgeries are completed.

The initiative directly supports multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By addressing these global challenges, the partnership creates lasting change and gives individuals the opportunity to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Stryker’s cutting-edge medical technology has played a pivotal role in reaching underserved populations, offering not just physical healing but a brighter future for many. Through this ongoing collaboration, Operation Smile and Stryker are creating smiles, hope, and lasting change worldwide, fostering a more equitable and sustainable healthcare landscape.

Inspiration

The leader behind Stryker’s partnership with Operation Smile was driven by a deep belief in the power of medical technology to transform lives, particularly for children in underserved communities. “We believe that access to healthcare is a fundamental right, and every child deserves the chance to live a healthy life,” they explained. This conviction sparked a groundbreaking collaboration focused on providing life-changing surgeries to children with cleft lips and palates, especially in low-resource areas where these conditions often go untreated.

Stryker’s commitment to equity in healthcare is central to this partnership. Guided by their mission, “Together with our customers, we are driven to make healthcare better,” the company has worked to bridge gaps in care. As one leader stated, “Accountability is one of our core values. We do what we say,” and through this partnership, Stryker has followed through by supporting Operation Smile with cutting-edge medical technology, financial resources, and expertise.

The impact of this collaboration is clear. “The difference these surgeries make in the lives of these children is profound,” said the leader. “It’s not just about healing—it’s about giving them a brighter future.” By ensuring that cost does not stand in the way of life-saving care, Stryker’s contribution has extended beyond surgeries, helping to create sustainable healthcare systems and empowering local communities for generations to come. Through this partnership, Stryker is helping build a better world—one smile at a time.

Overall impact

The partnership between Stryker and Operation Smile has had a transformative impact on healthcare access and inequality in underserved communities worldwide. Since the collaboration began in 2010, Stryker’s donation of medical equipment, financial support, and expertise has enabled Operation Smile to provide free surgeries to children and adults with cleft lips and palates. These life-changing surgeries significantly improve patients' ability to speak, eat, and interact, allowing them to contribute more fully to their communities.

To date, Operation Smile has performed over 300,000 surgeries globally, many made possible through Stryker’s support. The short-term impact is evident: patients experience immediate physical relief and an improved quality of life. Long-term, the partnership has led to a broader social transformation. By enhancing local healthcare infrastructure through training programs and providing access to essential medical tools, the collaboration has helped empower communities to address their own healthcare challenges. Local surgeons and healthcare workers now have the skills and resources to continue providing cleft surgeries, ensuring sustainability in these regions.

The effects extend beyond health improvements. For many children, receiving surgery has the potential to break the cycle of poverty, opening doors to new opportunities and brighter futures. The partnership’s impact is clear: families are empowered, communities are strengthened, and children are given the chance to flourish. Through this ongoing collaboration, Stryker and Operation Smile are not only transforming individual lives but also creating lasting, positive change across the globe.

Business benefit

Stryker’s partnership with Operation Smile has proven to be beneficial not only for the communities it serves but also for the company itself. By aligning with Operation Smile to provide life-saving surgeries and medical support to underserved regions, Stryker reinforces its brand as a leader in corporate social responsibility. This partnership has strengthened the company’s reputation, helping to build goodwill and enhancing its corporate image globally.

The impact extends to Stryker’s workforce as well. By contributing to a meaningful cause, employees feel a greater sense of purpose in their work, which can lead to increased job satisfaction, employee retention, and a more motivated, passionate workforce. As the company continues to demonstrate its commitment to social good, it becomes an attractive employer for top talent, drawing individuals who are motivated by purpose-driven work.

Additionally, this global partnership opens up new investment opportunities for Stryker. Investors are drawn to companies with strong social impact initiatives, and Stryker’s involvement with Operation Smile has garnered positive publicity, enhancing the company’s visibility and market position. This publicity not only strengthens Stryker’s standing in the global healthcare market but also generates new revenue opportunities by showcasing the company’s role in advancing healthcare worldwide. As a result, the collaboration is a win-win, benefiting both the communities it serves and Stryker’s business objectives.

Social and environmental benefit

The partnership between Stryker and Operation Smile has had a profound impact on communities in underserved regions by improving access to critical healthcare. By providing free surgeries for children and adults with cleft lips and palates, the collaboration directly enhances the quality of life for individuals who would otherwise be unable to receive such care. These surgeries help improve social inclusion and overall well-being, contributing to stronger, healthier communities worldwide.

One of the key benefits of this initiative is its empowerment of local healthcare systems. Through training programs supported by Stryker, local surgeons gain the skills and resources to continue providing life-saving surgeries in their communities. This support fosters long-term sustainability by building local capacity and improving healthcare infrastructure. The partnership ensures that medical professionals in these regions are equipped to meet the ongoing needs of their populations, while also enhancing their own expertise.

In addition to improving healthcare, the partnership promotes social and economic change. Many individuals who receive surgery find a renewed sense of hope and possibility, with some even breaking free from the cycle of poverty. Stryker’s innovative medical technologies, combined with local training and support, create a ripple effect, fostering both social and environmental sustainability. Through its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this partnership advances global health and education, reduces inequalities, and strengthens international collaboration.

Interview

Kristina Quick, Manager, ASC AR Operations