NORFOLK, Va. – Emmy award-winning journalist Satcha Pretto, host of Univision Network’s weekend newsmagazine “Primer Impacto Extra,” is volunteering on an Operation Smile medical mission in the Dominican Republic this week from September 9-12. A native of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Satcha serves as a Smile Ambassador for Operation Smile, tirelessly dedicated to help Operation Smile change the lives of children around the world born with clefts. In 2008, she participated on a medical mission in Guadalajara, Mexico and in 2009 she helped promote a medical mission in her native Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Operation Smile – through the help of generous supporters and dedicated medical volunteers – provides free surgeries for children around the world who suffer from cleft lips and cleft palates. With the support of the Fanjul family and Central Romana Corporation, Operation Smile is conducting an inaugural medical mission in La Romana at the Central Romana Medical Center. This medical mission will change the lives of 30-50 children who are currently living with facial deformities. Operation Smile’s dedicated team consists of 37 medical volunteers from the Dominican Republic, the United States, Peru, Honduras, Panama, and Canada.

Satcha reports for “Noticiero Univisión” and “Primer Impacto,” the highest-rated news-magazine show in the Hispanic market. She made history by becoming the first journalist from a Spanish-language media outlet in the U.S. to travel onboard the Pope’s plane. In recognition for her work in broadcast journalism, she received an Emmy with KMEX channel 34, an Emmy nomination for investigative reporting, a Texas Intercollegiate Press Association award, a Texas Associated Press Broadcasters award, and was recognized by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. She received Vanidades magazine’s “Tribute to Hispanic Women” award and in 2008 was one of the finalists of the Livingston Awards for journalists under 35. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she was named one of People en Español’s “50 Most Beautiful” in 2010.

"I am in complete admiration for the dedication put forth by the medical and non-medical volunteers, who go in, body and soul, to support parents in desperate search for a ray of hope for their children,” Satcha said. “As a Smile Ambassador for Operation Smile, my heart is filled knowing that in some way I helped change the lives of their little angels."

Every 3 minutes, a child somewhere in the world is born with a cleft. Often they are unable to eat, speak, socialize or smile; in many places, these children are shunned. For updates on Operation Smile’s global efforts, visit the daily blogs on www.operationsmile.org, follow @operationsmile on Twitter, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/operationsmile.

About Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.org)

Founded in 1982 by Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee, Operation Smile, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is a worldwide children’s medical charity whose network of global volunteers are dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children and young adults. Since its founding, Operation Smile has treated more than 150,000 children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities and the organization has a presence in more than 50 countries. In addition to contributing free medical treatment, Operation Smile trains local medical professionals in its partner countries and leaves behind crucial equipment to lay the groundwork for long-term self-sufficiency.