Doctor Jacono’s Philanthropy and Charitable Works
Philanthropy is a cornerstone of Dr. Jacono’s practice.
Doctor Jacono is committed to helping those less fortunate who have suffered facial disfigurement but do not have access to plastic surgery care. Domestically he performs pro-bono surgery on victims of domestic violence and traumatic events who have facial injuries and do not have the means to have facial plastic surgery. Internationally, he travels all over the world to perform reconstructive plastic surgery on individuals who have been disfigured by birth defects, trauma, war, and cancer,
Early in his career, Dr. Jacono was deeply moved by a patient who was a tragic victim of domestic violence. It inspired him to rally around this silent epidemic and put forth his medical skills to improve the lives of those affected. He has been National Chairman of “FACE TO FACE” Committee for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (AAFPRS). “FACE TO FACE” is a national project offering pro bono consultation and surgery to victims of domestic violence. HE is now their Senior Advisor. He has performed pro-bono surgery on dozens of women who are survivors. Dr. Jacono’s commitment to the cause goes well beyond the operating room. For the past nine years, he has chaired ABOUT FACE, an annual benefit for survivors of domestic violence. His efforts have been recognized by U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy and by the Center for the Women of New York, for his contributions to women’s welfare.
Television Networks Discovery Fit & Health and OWN became aware of Dr. Jacono’s charitable work in 2010, and approached him with the opportunity to chronicle the touching stories of domestic violence survivors in a new television show. FACING TRAUMA premiered in October 2011, and follows the harrowing stories of women who have been left disfigured from violent circumstances, as they struggle to reconstruct their lives both physically and emotionally. From the initial consultation to the final reveal, FACING TRAUMA follows Dr. Jacono and his team as they work to heal both the internal and external scars of victims.
Dr. Jacono also extends his philanthropy internationally as a volunteer surgeon for “BEYOND OUR BORDERS,” an organization that brings underprivileged children from third world countries to the United States for surgery to repair disfigurement due to cancer, trauma, and birth defects. He also serves as a volunteer for “HEALING THE CHILDREN,” which coordinates mission trips to third world countries to children receive surgeries unavailable to them due to a lack of medical and financial resources. He has been on over six missions. His most recent mission took him to Colombia, where he performed operations on children with cleft lips and cleft palates. He will continue to travel back to Colombia and also go to Thailand. His son is raising money for these missions.
Individual Stories…
Below are photos of children who were born with a cleft lip and palate that Dr. Jacono performed reparative surgery on. This birth defect which occurs during the first three months of pregnancy makes it very difficult for children to eat, drink, speak, and in some cases breathe.
During many of his missions trips, Dr. Jacono performs microtia surgeries on children who were born without one ear or in some cases both ears. For these microtia cases, Dr Jacono surgically creates a new ear using rib cartilage from the patient. The end results allow the child to look like they were born with both ears at birth.
Long Island Girl Faces School With New Confidence.
Thanks to plastic surgery, she had a disfiguring tumor removed from her cheek. Dr Jacono performs surgery pro-bono.
Reconstruction after Hit and Run Accident.
An orphaned African girl who lost part of her scalp and most of her right ear in a 2004 hit-and-run accident is looking ahead to life in America after receiving pro bono plastic surgery at Schneider Children’s Hospital thanks to Dr. Jacono.
Dr. Jacono’s pioneering facial reconstructive surgery was featured on the frontpage of Newsday.
By using bone harvested from his patient’s skull and cartilage from her ears, he was able to rebuild and restore her face. The story was also featured in the Daily News, on Fox 5 News, Channel 55, Channel 12 News, and 1010 Wins and WCBS Radio.
