Cosmetic Surgeon Brings His Charitable Work Overseas

While he’s known internationally for his talent as a cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Darshan Shah is also an international philanthropist. As a committed humanitarian, he believes in giving back to those in need, both at the local level in the Bakersfield and Malibu area, as well on the international level.

At home, the doctor is a frequent fixture in the media for his efforts to curb hunger and homelessness. From helping provide meals for needy residents, to providing supplies and money, Dr. Darshan Shah, MD, FACS, knows that it’s important to give back to the community. The Bakersfield, CA, area has been hit hard by the recession, so the doctor provides help year-round to those in need.

Turning his attention abroad, Dr. Shah is the co-founder
of The Promise, a charity that treats the less fortunate in Africa, India, and South Africa. The doctors that do pro-bono work for The Promise provide reconstructive work for individuals with burn marks and cleft palates and lips. Named fittingly for their pledge to make a difference, doctors with The Promise truly change the lives of patients overseas. Without free surgery, patients in Third World countries would never be able to afford such pricey medical procedures.

Why Is Cleft Lip or Palate Surgery Life-Altering?

No matter how old a patient is, a cleft lip or palate can create a variety of problems. From dental problems, to speech problems, to self-confidence issues, cleft surgery is necessary to enhance the patient’s overall quality of life. After surgery, patients not only look better – they also can speak more clearly, and even hear better.

Cleft patients suffer from deformed noses, unnatural lips, and have problems breathing through the nose. With the help of charitable foundations like The Promise, patients receive a whole new lease on life. Cleft patients often have crooked teeth or need jaw implants because of problems with chewing. One operation can help correct and realign the jaw, making everyday life that much easier for a patient with a cleft palate. The Promise is made possible through a team of doctors committed to making life better for cleft patients, no matter where they’re located around the globe.

Helping Burn Patients See a Brighter Future

The Promise is about helping not only cleft patients, but also burn victims in Third World countries. Scars caused by burns to the skin are not only unsightly, but also painful. With the help of talented specialists from The Promise, patients receive a renewed sense of confidence after their burns are surgically minimized. When patients look better on the outside, they often feel better on the inside, too. Burns may run deep, causing untold physical and emotional suffering. With the help of The Promise, surgeons make life more comfortable for burn survivors in the most remote parts of the world.

A Commitment to Quality and Excellence

From patenting products that improve surgical outcomes, to teaching the future generation of plastic and cosmetic surgeons, Dr. Darshan Shah is dedicated to making the world a better place for those in need of medical care. Not one to rest on his laurels, the doctor knows that there is more to do, and constantly looks for new ways to bring his unique brand of assistance to the less fortunate.

Closer to home, his latest pet project is his Beautologie Helps foundation. This charity helps Bakersfield residents who are suffering from unattractive scars because of injuries or accidents. After noting the lack of assistance for low-income residents who need reconstructive work, Dr. Shah decided to spearhead a charity just for those who are truly suffering and cannot afford cosmetic work.

Just who does he assist through Beautologie Helps? Victims of abuse are often left with scars from their abusers, and these disfigurements are constant reminders of the brutality and pain of their past. Dr. Shah uses his surgical gift to lessen such scars, so that the abuse survivor can get on with life.

Dr. Shah chooses one needy Bakersfield patient each month, making life a little easier for the less fortunate. From fixing keloids to removing gang tattoos, the doctor knows that transforming one’s exterior can also transform one’s interior. His work is about bringing light and joy to those who have had more than their fair share of troubles.

Compassion Fuels Humanitarian Work

In the end, a superior doctor is one who listens well, and has empathy for others. Without kindness and compassion, a surgeon will never find true success. Dr. Shah exhibits kindheartedness not only with his clients, but also with those who are completely destitute. In total, he has performed thousands of surgeries, and is equipped to perform a variety of reconstructive jobs. To submit an application for Dr. Shah’s Beautologie Helps program, email the doctor at drshah@drshah.com.