Dr. Tania C. Nkungula, DDS
President, Chair of the Board of Directors | Co-FounderDr. Tania C. Nkungula, DDS, is a Malawianborn, board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon based in Washington, DC, whose career bridges surgical excellence, trauma care, education, and global humanitarian service. She serves as Chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center, one of the region’s busiest Level II trauma centers, where she leads complex facial trauma care and multidisciplinary surgical collaboration. Dr. Nkungula is also the founder of Washington Oral Surgery Center, a practice recognized for advanced implantology and complex surgical care. Her private office proudly serves as a designated Trauma Clinic, where senior residents from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center provide post-trauma continuity care—reflecting her deep commitment to mentorship, education, and service beyond the operating room.
The genesis of Dr. Nkungula’s humanitarian work is deeply personal. Smiling Surgeons, Inc. was founded in loving honor of her late brother, Miko Nkungula, whose life and legacy continue to inspire a mission rooted in compassion, dignity, and hope. What began during Trauma Clinic—co-founded with Dr. Shelby Curtis —has grown into a global health nonprofit that both honors legacy and provides a structured avenue for healthcare volunteers to unite in the delivery of safe, high-quality surgical and dental care in underserved communities, beginning in Malawi.
Edward “Ubuntu Nga Bantu” Mbewe, PhD, MBA, MAFM, FCCA, CPA
TreasurerEdward Mbewe serves as Treasurer of Smiling Surgeons, Inc where he provides strategic financial leadership in support of the organization’s mission to expand access to life-changing surgical care in underserved communities, particularly in Malawi. His work helps ensure that medical missions, surgical training, equipment donations, and infrastructure investments are grounded in strong governance, transparency, and long-term sustainability—so that care delivered today strengthens systems for generations to come.
Edward is a highly accomplished finance and operations executive with decades of experience across nonprofit leadership, healthcare systems, and global development. He most recently served as Chief Financial & Operations Officer at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law and previously held senior leadership roles as Chief Financial Officer of Planned Parenthood of Illinois, Health Information Management Systems Society, and other healthcare organizations. Across each role, he is known for aligning strategy with values and using financial stewardship as a tool for justice, equity, and human dignity.
Thayana Ayoobi, MPP
Executive DirectorShaped by a life across four continents—Europe, Asia, North America, and South America—Thayana Ayoobi brings a uniquely global perspective to her role as Executive Director of Smiling Surgeons. She holds an MA in Public Policy and dual bachelor’s degrees in International Relations and Economics. Before joining Smiling Surgeons, Thayana spent four years as a Senior Analyst in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning, supporting global humanitarian programs with organizations such as UN agencies, the World Bank, and the Gates Foundation. Her lived experience across diverse cultures, combined with her technical expertise in complex environments, enables her to engage effectively with all partners, donors, and communities. This global lens is central to ensuring that Smiling Surgeons’ work remains sustainable, culturally grounded, and responsive to the needs of the people it serves.