About Us

Operation Smile Australia Limited was founded in 1999 by Dr Richard Lewandowski, a Brisbane plastic, craniofacial and reconstructive surgeon, and his wife Sue, a physiotherapist.

Dr Lewandowski, one of Australia’s most respected surgeons, became involved with Operation Smile while studying at Eastern Virginian Medical School, in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. Dr Lewandowski volunteered on medical missions to China, Colombia, Gaza, Kenya, Philippines and Russia. He was also involved in the medical educational training sessions, and in the training of Operation Smile International Fellows.

Upon his return to Australia, he and his wife Sue established Operation Smile Australian Limited dedicated to helping children from countries in neighbouring South-East Asia. They saw the need and Operation Smile Australia was born.

We strive for a world where no child suffers the risks and uncertainties of a facial deformity.

Our Board of Directors

Assoc. Prof Richard Lewandowski

M.B., B.S.; F.R.A.C.S.
Plastic Surgeon

Mrs Sue Lewandowski

B.Sc, Grad.Dip. Phyth
Physiotherapist

Mr Jeff Brunton

C.F.A. Head of Portfolio Management, HESTA Super Fund

Ms Simone Ledingham

B.A, MDigitalCommunications
CONSULTANT
BrandSYMMETRY

Mr Anthony Bishop 

BBus (Hons), MManagement, GAIC
President APAC
Cochlear Limited

Mr Glenn Ferguson AM

FAAL,FAICD,FANZCN,FCL
Managing Director & Solicitor
FC Lawyers

Our Medical Advisory Committee

Assoc. Prof Richard Lewandowski

Director of Surgical Specialties, Mater Hospital

Dr Vernon Moo

 Director Gabba Anaesthesia; Senior Visiting Specialist, Princess Alexandra Hospital

Assoc. Prof Julie McEniery

Senior Staff Specialist, Paediatric Intensive Care, Queensland Children’s Hospital
Chair, Queensland Paediatric Quality Council (QPQC)
Associate Professor, School of Medicine, University of Queensland

Dr Jonathan Wheeler

Cleft and Craniofacial Surgeon, Starship Children’s Hospital and Middlemore Hospital, Auckland

Assoc. Prof Stuart Bade

Chief of Surgery, Queensland Children’s Hospital

Courtney Allan

Perioperative Nurse Educator, Pindara Private Hospital