On September 26, 2025, Dr. Khurram Khan (OMFS ’14) received the prestigious Ohio Dental Association’s (ODA) Marvin Fisk Humanitarian Award during the Callahan Celebration of Excellence, held in conjunction with the 159th ODA Annual Session. The award is fitting for a man whose life’s purpose is defined by giving to others.
Khan came to the U.S. at age 26. Born and raised in Pakistan, he earned his BDS degree from Baqai Medical and Dental University in Karachi, then his DMD from the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine in 2009. With his sights set on becoming an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS), he completed OMS training at Louisiana State University before beginning his residency at Indiana University, where he took his oath to serve his country.
After completion of his residency at IU, he entered the U.S. Air Force—not because he had to, or because someone offered to pay for his education, but because he wanted to give back to the country that helped him achieve his dream.
“I was taught you never forget where you came from,” Khan said. “And you help the people—or in this case, the country—that helped you. I spoke to my wife and asked, ‘Do you want to make no money for another four years?’ She laughed and said, ‘Let’s do it.’”
Khan chuckled as he recalled others’ reactions, noting their surprise that he chose military service after completing surgical residency and finally having the opportunity to earn a living. Choosing to give back first wasn’t something most would do—but for him, the rewards were greater than he could have imagined.
“I took care of a lot of people who were coming from war-torn areas,” he said. “People with severe facial injuries. To me, it was what I wanted to do, and I saw how being in the military fit my work ethic.”
The belief in giving back was instilled in Khan from an early age. That spirit of giving runs deep. A man of faith, Khan views everything—knowledge, skill, resources—as gifts meant to be shared. “The more you give,” he says, “the more you receive, so that you can give even more.” He notes that this is a core concept of every religion.
During his military service, Khan reminded his wife of another dream that had lived alongside becoming an OMS. He asked, “Should I pursue a fellowship in cleft and craniofacial surgery? It means delaying settling down for a little while longer.” She said yes, knowing it was what would make him happiest. So they moved to Charleston, West Virginia, where he completed a pediatric cleft and craniomaxillofacial fellowship.
Dr. Khan then established his Ohio-based practice, About Face Surgical Arts—a name that plays on the military term, his work, and the symbolism of transformation. Recognizing a significant need beyond the U.S., where services are readily available, he began traveling to countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, and Pakistan to help children born with cleft lip and palate.
He provides a continuum of care, as these children often require eight to ten surgeries before they stop growing. After each procedure, a local surgeon continues follow-up care until Khan returns approximately six months later.
To sustain and expand these efforts, he and his wife, Zofeen Khan, founded the Smiles Unite Us Foundation, dedicated to empowering smiles for individuals with congenital and acquired facial and dental differences through fundraising and surgical care.
“A child is a child, no matter where they are,” he said. “The parents of those children are going through exactly what you and I would go through. The story is the same for every family—they know their child won’t be able to eat normally, speak normally. They may have many complications.”
When asked, Khan humbly shared the story of an 18-month-old child he treated in Pakistan, where he serves as team lead. Without Khan, his team, and the foundation, the child’s family would not have been able to afford care.
“We were rounding on our patients, making sure they were tucked in for the night,” he recalled, pausing to wipe away tears. “As I checked on this particular child, her father looked at me. He came over, hugged me, and buried his face in my shoulder. He started crying and wouldn’t stop. He said, ‘You have changed her life, and you don’t understand—you’ve changed our lives.’”
“We give them hope,” Khan continued. “They have nothing, so to be able to give that to them—it’s a big deal. That’s why it’s so hard for me to talk about these kids and their families. It’s very real.”
For that child, without Khan and the gifts he shares, her reality would be very different. She wouldn’t have been able to eat in public or speak clearly. Her struggles would be lifelong. These are the reasons he travels so often—and the rationale behind his recognition with the ODA’s humanitarian award.
“It really comes down to humanity,” he said. “Children are children everywhere in this world, and we have an obligation to take care of others if we are given that opportunity. I take great pride in being from IU and sharing this story so that people know where I come from and what it’s allowed me to do. I hope that my work inspires others to give more of themselves, too.”
To collaborate on projects or support Dr. Khan’s work, reach out via the Smiles Unite Us Foundation.