Patricia Bacuros


Bio picture (002)
Chair, Program Management, PQMD
Vice President Gifts-In-Kind and Corporate Partnerships
Operation Smile

Patricia Bacuros is an experienced and recognized leader in the development and execution of approaches and programs aimed at strengthening health systems, complementing health education activities and supporting disaster and emergency response efforts. For over 30 years, Pat has enabled organizations around the world to maximize their impact and outreach to people most in need by building strategic partnerships for efficient and targeted gift-in-kind development.

Pat joined Operation Smile in August 2018 as Vice President, Gifts-in-Kind and Corporate Partnerships. In collaboration with the corporate sector, crucial donations of prescription medication, over-the-counter medication, medical equipment and supplies enable Operation Smile to strengthen surgical standards and health systems while increasing access to surgical care for people living in places of need.

Pat previously led the gifts-in-kind and emergency and disaster response team at Project HOPE before leading the philanthropic investment team at Direct Relief. In those roles, she focused on building relationships with health care companies to support programs with in-kind donations focusing on maternal and child health, disease prevention and treatment, health systems strengthening, and emergency response both in the United States and abroad. Pat traveled extensively to Central Asia, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Central and Eastern Europe, working with regional staff in the placement of gift-in-kind deliveries to medical facilities while building relationships with in-country representatives from the pharmaceutical sector and government agencies.

Pat also serves on the board of PQMD (Partnership for Quality Medical Donations), a global alliance leading the development and championing of high standards in medical supply and service donations, where she held several positions including Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and NGO at Large. She is a graduate of Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Education and holds a teaching license in the state of Virginia. She also studied emergency management and disaster response at American Public University.

Patricia Bacuros Bio September 2, 2015