Virginia Smiles, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was founded in 2002 to provide an essential link between families who are touched by cleft lip and/or cleft palate and the medical community that serves these patients.

Virginia Smiles is sad to report the sudden death of Katie Higgins, who was the first recipient of the Virginia Smiles College Scholarship. After receiving the scholarship, Katie achieved her Bachelor's degree from James Madison University, then went on to work as a Social Worker for Western State Hospital. She enjoyed helping others and working with children. In her memory, the Virginia Smiles Scholarship has been renamed the Katie Higgins Memorial Scholarship.