Al Hildebrandt joins board of Operation Smile Canada

TORONTO – Dr. Ken Wilson, president of Operation Smile Canada, announced that Al Hildebrandt (pictured), a recently retired healthcare technology executive from Kelowna, B.C., has been elected as a Director of Operation Smile Canada Foundation.

Operation Smile Canada Foundation raises funds to provide surgeries for children with cleft lips and palates at over 40 surgical mission sites and countries worldwide.

Dr. Wilson said, “I’ve personally been involved in Operation Smile’s global efforts for over 25 years, delivering care on more than 45 medical missions around the world. While medical and surgical teams from around the world willingly volunteer their time for this worthy cause, the active financial contributions of caring donors are vital to the funding of medical supplies and surgical care in these developing countries.”

Speaking of Mr. Hildebrandt’s appointment to the Board of Directors, Dr. Wilson noted, “Over the past few years, we at the board have seen Al’s efforts and passion for Operation Smile’s mission. We know that his background in the healthcare technology community and in the financial markets will be a great asset to Operation Smile when it comes to promoting awareness of our efforts. We are pleased to have Al join our Canadian Board of Directors.”

Al Hildebrandt, who retired from his CEO position of QHR Technologies in June, 2015, commented: “As I enter the next phase of my life, I’m very happy to give back and to help promote Operation Smile’s global efforts. Recently, my wife and I went to Vietnam and joined the medical mission in Hanoi.

“We were able to see the Operation Smile Vietnam medical team deliver end-to-end surgical care to children in need. What an eye opening and heartwarming experience. We look forward to playing a part in advancing the mission of eradicating clefts, begun 33 years ago through the vision of Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee.”

About Operation Smile Canada Foundation

Operation Smile Canada Foundation is a Canadian Not for Profit Corporation that is part of the global family of Operation Smile foundations around the world. OSCF connects with Canadian donors who believe in our mission to provide funding and volunteer resources for international medical missions treating cleft conditions in the developing world. OSCF’s Board of Directors is proud to see the organization’s growth since its start in July 2011 by actively providing a positive financial and business influence to Operation Smile’s global efforts treating cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities. Operation Smile is an international medical charity whose global network of thousands of credentialed medical volunteers from more than 80 countries is dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children from more than 60 countries. Since its founding in 1982, Operation Smile has provided more than 240,000 free surgical procedures for children and young adults born with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities.