9.22.2006 - 09:40am ET

(CSRwire) LOS ANGELES, Calif.- Operation Smile honored Abbott for the company's long history of outstanding citizenship and philanthropic efforts with its Corporate Humanitarian Award at the organization's annual gala last night.

"As one of our largest and most valued supporters, we are pleased to honor Abbott's commitment to providing access to medicine and treatment to the patients who need it most," said Dr. William P. Magee, co-founder and CEO, Operation Smile. "Abbott's contributions have helped us to put smiles back on the faces of thousands of children throughout the world."

Abbott has donated tens of thousands of bottles of its leading anesthesia product, Sevoflurane, valued at more than $3 million, for use by the organization's physicians to correct facial deformities in children and adults.

Abbott was the only company to receive an award at this year's gala. Other honorees included: NBA players Elton Brand and Norm Nixon, and The Donald Trump Family.

About Operation Smile

Founded in 1982 by Dr. William P. Magee, a plastic surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen, a nurse and clinical social worker, Operation Smile's volunteers have provided free reconstructive surgery to more than 100,000 children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates, tumors and other birth defects in 32 countries worldwide. In addition to contributing free medical treatment, Operation Smile provides medical training and continuing education to health care professionals and leaves behind necessary equipment to foster long-term self-sufficiency. For more information, visit www.operationsmile.org.

About Abbott's Philanthropic Efforts

Each year, Abbott and the Abbott Fund, the company's philanthropic arm, donate more than $300 million in cash and products focused on improving health and access to medicine; advancing science and medical innovation; and enhancing communities around the world. Abbott and the Abbott Fund have been supporting Operation Smile for more than 13 years through product donations and by sponsoring pediatric and advanced cardiac life support training programs for health care workers in seven developing nations.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 65,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

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