A Brief History of Thousand Smiles
The Thousand Smiles Foundation, established in 1985 by a dedicated group of Rotarians, has grown significantly over nearly four decades.
The mission began with the goal of providing dental and surgical care for thousands of underprivileged children and has grown to include dental, surgical, audiology, ENT, and speech care. Since inception, we estimate we have helped over 20,000 dental and 2,000 surgery patients, surpassing our original goals and bringing smiles to countless faces.
The vision began by visiting an existing clinic in Mexicali. In 1988, the Rotary Club of Ensenada Centenario formally requested Thousand Smiles to participate in the formation of a complete field surgical clinic at the Red Cross Hospital in Ensenada, Baja California.
Until then, the Board had not considered a broader involvement other than donating supplies and equipment. The clinics (originally 3 per year) had about 100 volunteers, three general surgery rooms, and 3 dental chairs. In 2002, our operations expanded with the acquisition of our own facility in Ensenada. This facility began with eight dental chairs and no surgical capabilities. Surgeries were done from that time on at the Ensenada General Hospital or The Ensenada Naval Hospital.
In 2016, we began planning a major expansion, and by 2021, we had completed adding two operating rooms and expanded our dental area. Today, our clinic boasts comprehensive dental, orthodontic, and medical departments, including 12 dental chairs, ENT, speech therapy, and a state-of-the-art audiology unit.
From its modest beginnings to a fully operational clinic, Thousand Smiles relies on donations and grants to fund its work. The support of generous contributors continues to drive our mission, enabling us to offer life-changing care to more children in need.
Your Support Makes a Difference
We estimated we have performed 2000 surgeries and 20,000 dental patients since 1985.
What Our Volunteers and Donors Say
Board of Directors
DALE PROCTOR
President (2025-27)
Dale is a Software Engineer and works in all areas related to data processing in the clinic. Dale is a Charter Member of the Route 78 Rotary Club in Escondido. He has been a member of our Board since October 2017.
KIM MUSLUSKY
Secretary
Past President 2005-2007, 2009-2011. Kim is a long-time volunteer with Thousand Smiles. She has been on the Board of Directors since February 2001. Kim is the International Chair of Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary and Past President of San Diego North Rotary. Kim oversees clinic operations in all areas.
STAN VOGELSANG
Treasurer
Past President 2017-2019. Stan has been a volunteer and member of the Board of Directors since 2015. He is a long time member and Past President of the Old Mission Rotary Club in San Diego. Stan is very active in fundraising for Thousand Smiles and works in the supply warehouse, and does sterilization during clinics.
ROBERT L.”BOB” CHALFA
Auxiliary Treasurer
Past President 1987-1989. Bob has been on the Board since Thousand Smiles was founded in 1985. Bob is a member and Past President of the Old Mission Rotary Club in San Diego. He is a former member and Past President of the National City Rotary Club. Bob does most of the purchasing for the clinic and works in the supply warehouse during the clinics.
SHAB AL AWAR
Director
Shab is a past District Governor of District 5330. He and his wife Bricia, a dentist, have been active volunteers at our clinics for many years.
ROBERT L. “BOBBY” CHALFA, JR
Director
Bobby has been a volunteer with Thousand Smiles since 1989. He is a graduate of Cal Poly, in Construction Management, and has used his talents over the years to supervise construction and maintenance of our facilities. Bobby is a past member of the National City Rotary and Old Mission Rotary. He is presently an Honorary Member of Old Mission Rotary.
ERNESTO “DON NETO” FLORES
Director
Ernesto was the Thousand Smiles Foundation President 2023-25. Past-President, Ensenada Centenaria Rotary 2021-2022. Ernesto has been involved with our project for several years.
Carlos Ivan Celis Gallego
Director
GILBERTO HIRATA
Director
President 2025-26 Ensenada Centenario Rotary
Susan Josephson
Director
President 2025-26 Old Mission Rotary
Dr. MARC LEBOVITZ
Director
Marc is an ENT doctor and has volunteered for over 20 years. He does triage and is responsible for ear tube placement for patients when needed. He was elected to the Board in 2023.
DR. MIKE NUSSBAUM
Director
President 2019-2022. Mike is an anesthesiologist and has been a volunteer for many years. He has been on the Board of Directors since August of 2013 and served as President from July of 2019-2023. Mike is a member of the Old Mission Rotary Club in San Diego.
Felizardo (Turista) Palacios
Director
Daniel white
Director
Luis Carranza
District Governor (2025-26)
PAST PRESIDENTS
Joe Shielly
Bob Chalfa
Dr. Vern White
Dr. Terry Tanaka
Dr. Jeff Moses
Dr. Peter Shaw
Dr. Jim Vernetti
Dr. John Pullen
Dr. Kathi Tanaka-Mits
Ing Ruben Bouchez
Shawn Moore
Kim Muslusky
Mark McAnelly
Kim Muslusky
Joe Mintz
Dr. Dave Irwin
Stan Vogelsang
Dr. Mike Nussbaum
Ernesto Flores
Dale Proctor
1985 – 1987
1987 – 1989
1989 – 1990
1990 – 1992
1992 – 1994
1994 – 1995
1995 – 1997
1997 – 1999
1999 – 2001
2001 – 2003
2003 – 2005
2005 – 2007
2007 – 2009
2009 – 2011
2011 – 2013
2013 – 2017
2017 – 2019
2019 – 2023
2023 – 2025
2025 – 2027