• Comprehensive surgical rehabilitation of physical facial disfigurement to children due to: accidents or injuries, disfiguring illnesses, congenital deformities, and neglect or abuse.

• Guidance and assistance for children to meet the psychological and financial needs of recovery from facial deformities and traumas before, during and after rehabilitation.

• Medical research and professional training for physicians, medical staff and health care providers participating with the Garcia Institute.

• Creation and development of Surgical Outreach Centers to aid children in the Caribbean region and Latin America.

• Continuing public awareness programs to enhance the ability of affected children to overcome social and psychological obstacles.

The Garcia Institute for Reconstructive Surgery.

The Mission of the Institute’s team of facial plastic surgeons, participating dentists, reconstructive plastic surgeons, counselors and other health care professionals is to provide a comprehensive rehabilitation resource for children suffering from facial deformities. To attain this mission the Institute:

• Utilizes the Garcia Institute for Facial Plastic Surgery to rehabilitate affected children. The Garcia Institute is the principal surgical center for referral by Wolfson Children’s Hospital to treat children with traumatic facial injuries and serves as North Florida's only JCAHO-Certified, office-based surgical center. This ensures that the standards and the quality of care practiced at the Institute exceed those mandated by the State of Florida.

• Adheres to and practices according to the guidelines and ethical standards of the American Academy of Facial plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

• Offers a one year fellowship to train prospective facial plastic surgeons in reconstructive facial plastic surgery.

• Recruits participating surgeons, dentists and medical professionals to deliver the most comprehensive and highest quality patient care, education and guidance.

• Conducts scientific and clinical research on facial plastic surgery as well as on the psychological and social needs of those affected by facial disfigurement.

• Maintains affiliations and promotes communication with participating surgical practices, hospitals and research groups as well as private and governmental organizations to ensure optimum care and recovery for children benefiting from this program.

• Operates a fiscally independent facility to achieve the above goals regarding Florida-based patient care, education and research for underprivileged children as well as the development of Surgical Outreach Centers in the Caribbean region and Latin America.

F.A.C.E. and Cuba

In addition to its other missions, F.A.C.E. will have an extremely important and rare opportunity to serve the citizens of a free, democratic Cuba.

It is the goal of the foundation to provide not only medical services pertaining to reconstructive surgery of the face to the people of Cuba but also general medical services through several avenues:

• Recruitment of board certified physicians and surgeons in the United States to train Cuban physicians.

• Education of Cuban physicians in high quality, modern medical care as well as surgical techniques consistent with the highest standards of care in the United States. The education of these physicians will occur through available fellowships and preceptorships in the United States. Through the formation of Surgical Outreach Centers, FACE team leaders will be able to train, equip and monitor local medical professionals to enhance and expand medical care access for citizens on the island.

• Co-operation with US health care companies, international organizations and non-profit groups to develop a health infrastructure in Cuba that offers broad access to high quality medical care.