Dr. Jacono: Pro Bono Surgeon

Dr. Andrew Jacono, a top facial plastic surgeon in New York, offers pro bono surgery to people all over the world. His pro bono and philanthropic efforts have transformed countless lives, offering hope and healing to those in need. Read about some of Dr. Jacono’s pro bono work, media highlights, and organizations he’s partnered with throughout the years.

Pro Bono Case featured in Dr. Oz The Good Life: Charitable Surgery with Dr. Jacono

Dr. Andrew Jacono was featured in Dr. Oz’s magazine, The Good Life. He discussed how he uses his personal time to visit the poorest reaches of the world to perform pro bono surgery.

Dr. Jacono focuses on children who have been affected by cleft lip and palate deformities, and also offers treatment for those born without ear cartilage; a condition known as microtia. For those less fortunate, his expert pro bono services are nothing short of a miracle.

Medical Missions Around the World

“Changing a face can change a life,” says Dr. Jacono. “Every year, I go on a few medical missions to countries including Colombia, Ecuador, and even Thailand. My task is to perform state-of-the-art procedures on children and adolescents born with congenital deformities. Cleft lips and palates are my specialty, but I am also very skilled at microtia surgery. The goal of these medical missions is, above all, to provide quality care to people who could not otherwise afford it.”

“Before the girl had corrective surgery, no one would sit next to her on the bus,” says Dr. Jacono. “People would bully her, call her names, and make fun of her face. But after she got the treatment she needed, everyone wanted to sit next to her. It was incredible to see and made me want to help people that same way.”

Pro Bono Work with HUGS & Healing the Children: Cleft Lip and Microtia

Over his long, successful career, Dr. Jacono has given back in a way that would make his third-grade classmate proud. He has embarked on dozens of medical missions with the Help Us Give Smiles (HUGS) Foundation and Healing the Children, both of which cover medical expenses for cleft lip, palate, and microtia patients. He has operated on more than 500 children abroad and aims to continue providing his services for years to come.

From Dr. Jacono on his Pro Bono Work:

“In the United States, most of these children would get surgery and lead normal, happy lives,” notes Dr. Jacono. “But in countries where even basic healthcare isn’t guaranteed, a cleft lip and palate deformity can mean lifelong social ostracism. Treatment offers a fresh start and a lot of hope. This isn’t just the case for the children, but also for the parents. I remember when a father thanked me for fixing his child’s microtia—he explained that he knew firsthand how life-altering the operation could be. He revealed he’d been born with the same condition, and years ago, another HUGS doctor helped him. If I can provide that kind of outcome for other people by giving up just a few days, why wouldn’t I?”

Pro Bono Work with Beyond Our Borders: Microtia Repair

An orphaned African girl, Adwoa Frimpomaah, who lost part of her scalp and most of her right ear in a hit-and-run accident, received pro bono plastic surgery from Dr. Jacono. Brought to him by the nonprofit group Beyond Our Borders, Dr. Jacono performed multiple surgeries, sculpting her new ear from her rib cartilage and covering it with a skin graft.

He waived his $50,000 fee, and the hospital shelved over $100,000 in charges. Adwoa, who had never received formal education and didn’t speak English, is now on Long Island with her sponsors, aiming to complete high school and become a seamstress.

Pro Bono Work with FACE TO FACE: Domestic Violence Survivors & Children with Birth Defects

Dr Jacono is a senior advisor and a volunteer facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon for FACE TO FACE. This organization provides free surgery to children with facial disfigurement
due to birth defect, burns, trauma, facial tumors, and war. Through the program, Dr. Jacono has personally met and operated on many of these women and on children throughout the world including Central and South America, and Asia.

What are Cleft Lip and Palate Deformities?

Cleft lip and palate deformities are congenital conditions that affect the way people appear. Often, the condition causes other complications, including difficulty breathing, eating, drinking, and even speaking.

A cleft lip is a split, or separation, in the upper lip. It occurs when the tissues that make the lips don’t join completely in the womb. This fissure can often include the gums or the roof of the mouth. Cleft lip makes it difficult for children and adults to engage in normal social and biological activities.

A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth that forms during fetal development. It can include either the hard palate, which is the bonier front portion of the mouth’s roof, or the soft palate, which is the softer back portion of the mouth’s roof.

In some cases, cleft lips and palates occur together, completely altering the structure and functionality of the inner and outer mouth. Worse, these conditions are quite common in about 1 in every 1,600 babies born in the United States.

Treatment Through Pro Bono Surgery

Dr. Jacono of New York provides essential medical care through his pro bono work, helping those who lack access to these critical services get the treatment they need. By offering his expertise through various organizations, he improves the quality of life for many individuals in the US and around the world.