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About Interface Kids

Who We Are

Our Story

Transforming lives with free reconstructive surgeries

The Interface Kids mission began over 50 years ago in 1976, founded by Dr. Jack Fisher at the University of California, San Diego. Originally part of a residency program, Interface Kids has grown into a volunteer-based organization offering free reconstructive surgeries to underserved children. With clinics in Mexicali and La Piedad, we’ve performed over 4,500 surgeries, including cleft lip and palate repair, hand and ear deformity correction, burn reconstruction, and more.
4,500+
Surgeries Performed
50+
Years of Service
250+
Volunteers Involved
Interface Kids
Interface Kids
Interface Kids
Interface Kids

Our Mission Statement

Interface is a group of plastic and other reconstructive surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, pediatricians, and psychosocial workers, as well as other devoted volunteers, who give their time and expertise to offer reconstructive surgery to children in Mexico.
Interface Kids is dedicated to transforming the lives of children in Mexico by providing free, life-changing reconstructive surgeries. Our all-volunteer team of medical professionals has one goal: to ensure that no child is left without the care they deserve.
Dr. Merton Suzuki

Our Interface Leader

Our current leader, Dr. Suzuki, and a committed group of medical professionals ensure that Interface Kids continues its legacy of compassionate care. Our dedicated team of surgeons, nurses, and volunteers travel to provide essential surgeries, working with local partners across Mexico.

Dr. Suzuki
Our Professionals

Meet the Team

Interface Kids is powered by volunteers, including plastic and reconstructive surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, pediatricians, and psychosocial workers. We are united by our passion for giving children a brighter future.
Merton Suzuki

Merton Suzuki

M.D.
Barry Handler

Barry Handler

M.D.
Valerie Sedor

Valerie Sedor

CRNA
William Umansky

William Umansky

M.D.
Belinda Shalhoub

Belinda Shalhoub

CRNA
Jack Fisher

Jack Fisher

M.D.
Alex Lechtman

Alex Lechtman

M.D.
Hector Martinez

Hector Martinez

CRNA

    Board of Directors

    Jack C. Fisher
    M.D.
    Ervin Wheeler
    M.D
    Douglas Reavie
    M.D
    Merton Suzuki
    M.D.
    Barry Handler
    M.D.
    William Umansky
    M.D.
    Belinda Shalhoub
    CRNA
    Alex Lechtman
    M.D.
    Hector Martinez
    CRNA

    Advisory Board

    Stephen West
    M.D
    Glendora Tremper
    PhD
    Becky Sullivan
    RN
    Francis Sharpe
    M.D
    William Schork
    CRNA
    Jane Reavie
    CRNA
    Christine Rado
    CST
    Harold Quinteros
    Josh Milius
    M.D
    Margret Merlock
    RN
    Bree Martinez
    Cliff Martin
    Bill Kivett
    M.D
    Ben Illum
    M.D
    Red Howard
    M.D
    Justin Heil
    M.D
    Maria Flores
    RN
    Trish Devenberg
    RN
    Gina Demers
    Veronica Davis
    CRNA
    Carlos Cabral
    CST
    Davis Bronson
    M.D
    Andrea Alfaro
    CRNA
    Valerie Sedor
    CRNA

    International Associates

    Cliff Martin
    COAD
    Gregorio Zendejas
    M.D
    Alicia Sigler
    M.D
    Jose Mena
    M.D

    Founders Legacy

    Ervin Wheeler
    Stephen West
    Lilly Weidhass
    William Umansky
    M.D.
    Merton Suzuki
    M.D.
    Frances Sharpe
    Douglas Reavie
    M.D.
    Alex Lechtman
    M.D.
    Barry Handler
    M.D.
    Jack Fisher
    M.D.
    Davis Bronson

    Interface Kids

    We currently travel to 2 different sites for periods of 2 to 5 days, visiting some sites twice a year. The number of major operations performed ranges from 50 to 75 per trip. Our primary focus is cleft lip and palate repair, but we also perform correction of hand and ear deformation, burn reconstruction, and other congenital and acquire deformities.

    Health Care

    Interface Kids

    Educational Exchange

    Interface Kids

    People-to-People

    Help Us Grow

    InterFACE is a non-profit 501-c-3 organization and your donations help us provide life-changing operations for children in need.