Rotaplast International, Inc. was founded in 1992 by Rotary Club President Peter Lagarias and Dr. Angelo Capozzi in collaboration with the Rotary Club of San Francisco to facilitate a surgical program in La Serena, Chile to treat children with the cleft lip and palate anomaly who would otherwise not receive surgical intervention. This initial historic mission took place in January of 1993.

As a project of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, and for the first three years of its existence, Rotaplast completed one surgical mission a year. The following two years, Rotaplast completed two missions a year. In 1996, Rotaplast became a separate non-profit corporation and has since consistently expanded its number of annual missions. In April of 1998, Rotaplast operated on its 1000th child in Cumana, Venezuela. The 2000th child received surgery in August of 1999 during a trip to Maracaibo, Venezuela. In January of 2001 Rotaplast helped its 3000th child and by the end of 2001 almost 4000 children received curative reconstructive surgery. The number of countries hosting Rotaplast teams continuously grows and includes Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru, Guatemala, Ecuador, Vietnam and the Philippines. Hundreds of medical and non-medical volunteers who give their valuable time, and generous organizations such as hospitals and medical equipment companies which give supplies, account for the consistent success and expansion of Rotaplast missions.

The core program has expanded to include genetic research, preventive counseling, a multi-disciplinary approach including orthodontics, speech pathology and dentistry along with an emphasis on education and training of on-site medical professionals. In 2002, Rotaplast International, Inc. entered into a Covenant of Partnership with affiliated entities in Chile and Venezuela. This Covenant instills an interdependent relationship based upon moral obligation between the parties to carry on the mission of Rotaplast in their respective countries. It is anticipated that other Partners will be admitted in the future as other in-country organizations develop.

Of course, Rotaplast would not exist without the essential and vital funding provided by international and domestic Rotary Clubs, philanthropic individuals and companies, and private and corporate foundations. In 1999, The Rotaplast Foundation was formed as a nonprofit charitable trust to raise and manage the funds which support the mission of Rotaplast International, Inc.

Although a San Francisco-based organization, Rotaplast works nationally and internationally by partnering with Rotary Clubs, other organizations, and individuals across the United States and at mission sites. It provides a vehicle for medical professionals and non-medical volunteers to actively engage in projects that build international friendships and promote goodwill and understanding among the peoples of the world.

Mission History 2004 Karaikal, India 116 patients Antofgasta, Chile 15 patients Iquique, Chile 69 patients Guatemala City, Guatemala 78 patients Cochabamba, Bolivia 68 patients Oaxaca, Mexico 56 patients Chengdu, China 146 patients Tacna, Peru 117 patients Antigua, Guatemala 91 patients 2003 Valdivia, Chile 79 patients Iquique, Chile 86 patients Can Tho, Vietnam 105 patients Guatemala City, Guatemala 83 patients Cochabamba, Bolivia 52 patients San Salvador, El Salvador 40 patients Sucre, Bolivia 63 patients Tacna, Peru 92 patients Carupano, Venezuela 70 patients Antigua, Guatemala 92 patients Barquisimeto, Venezuela 85 patients Cebu City, Philippines 92 patients Barquisimeto, Venezuela 92 patients Santa Cruz, Bolivia 95 patients 2002 Guayaquil, Ecuador 77 patients Iquique, Chile 90 patients Guatemala City, Guatemala 81 patients Cumana, Venezuela 101 patients San Salvador, El Salvador 72 patients Cochabamba, Bolivia 63 patients Lima, Peru 142 patients Caracas, Venezuela 63 patients Barquisimeto, Venezuela 98 patients Antigua, Guatemala 79 patients Jiujiang, China 113 patients Cebu City, The Philippines 86 patients Santa Cruz, Bolivia 70 patients 2000-2001 Santa Cruz, Bolivia 73 patients Maracaibo, Venezuela 180 patients Rancagua, Chile 10 patients Trelew, Argentina 84 patients Valdivia, Chile 111 patients Antofagasta, Chile 52 patients Guatemala City, Guatemala 70 patients Cumana, Venezuela 90 patients Barquisimeto, Venezuela 66 patients Lima, Peru 123 patients La Paz, Bolivia 53 patients Caracas, Venezuela 118 patients Maracaibo, Venezuela 143 patients Santa Cruz, Bolivia 53 patients 1999-2000 Maracaibo, Venezuela 163 patients Trelew, Argentina 63 patients Antofagasta, Chile 67 patients Cochabamba, Bolivia 58 patients Valdivia, Chile 116 patients Cumana, Venezuela 91 patients Tunuyan, Argentina 76 patients La Oroya, Peru 88 patients 1998-1999 Santiago del Estero, Argentina 151 patients Tunuyan, Argentina 82 patients Antofagasta, Chile 68 patients Chillan, Chile 93 patients Cumana, Venezuela 100 patients Santiago del Estero, Argentina 106 patients 1997-1998 Chillan, Chile 102 patients Tunuyan, Argentina 86 patients Cumana, Venezuela 106 patients 1996-1997 Vina del Mar, Chile 96 patients Tunuyan, Argentina 98 patients 1995-1996 La Serena, Chile 95 patients Tunuyan, Argentina 86 patients 1994-1995 La Serena, Chile 114 patients La Serena, Chile 109 patients 1993 La Serena, Chile 132 patients