Dr. Kimit Rai M.D., F.R.C.S.C.
Founder and President
Founder & President of Operation Rainbow Canada in 1998, Dr. Rai is a board-certified Plastic Surgeon and Surgical Director with over 40 years of experience in cosmetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery. He has been on 28 medical missions and is the lead surgeon.
A member of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons, Canadian Society for Aesthetic (Cosmetic) Plastic Surgery, American Society & Association of Plastic Surgeons and International Society of Plastic Surgeons. He has served as past President of the Canadian & Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons. From 1983 – 1999 Dr. Rai was Chief of the Department of Plastic Surgery and Chief of Surgery for the Simon Health Region.
A graduate of the University of British Columbia, he is frequently asked to speak at educational symposiums and his scientific research work has been published extensively. Author of Helping Hands, Dr. Rai recently published books on his life and the origins of Operation Rainbow Canada.
The Rai Clinic is Dr. Rai’s plastic surgery and medical aesthetic clinic based in Vancouver & New Westminster, B.C.
Honours and Awards
Our Founder and President, Dr. Kimit Rai, has received a number of prestigious awards for his humanitarian work with Operation Rainbow Canada, including:
2019 – The Order of British Columbia
2015 – The Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons’ Lifetime Achievement Award
2014 – The University of British Columbia’s Outstanding Alumni Award
2013 – Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award for his outstanding charitable contribution to the world as a Canadian in 2013
Message From The President
As President, my job is to see that everything is running well at Operation Rainbow Canada (ORC). While we are a strong organization with an established record of successful missions over 20 years, the Membership and the Board still looks to me as a leader to help us improve our services to underprivileged children around the world.
I am very proud of what ORC has accomplished over the years, keeping to our pledge to be 100% volunteer so that all funds raised go towards benefiting the kids. With the support of the Board of ORC, I constantly challenge the team to keep to our high standards. Luckily, we have some of most caring and compassionate people in the world as our members. Aside from my plastic surgery practice, my time in Vancouver is spent with our Mission Planning Committee to plan future missions. I actively look for opportunities to network with international partners and assess where our services are needed. On ORC missions, I lead the surgery team and this includes both surgical, training and mentoring roles.
We are filled with pride at the difference we made overseas and we return to our homes in Canada also filled with gratitude at how lucky we are to be able to help.
A mission is a fantastic opportunity for young medical professionals to be ‘seasoned’ in the field. This type of training offers many benefits – the overseas patient receives free surgery, Medical Resident gains new skills and knowledge and Canadian patients receive skilled specialists who serve them in their daily lives. There is also the long lasting impact of cross training with overseas medical practitioners and the sharing Canadian standards of medical practice. Our mission members are energized and renewed after each mission. My vision for Operation Rainbow Canada is a continued legacy of excellence of medical missions to bring much needed free surgery to underprivileged children.
I am very passionate about the value we bring to the future of these children and we are most grateful for the support of our friends, our families and our community. We hope that you can join us in our journey to be the best in providing free reconstructive surgery to children in developing countries. Please feel free to contact me directly to discuss.
Dr. Kimit Rai M.D., F.R.C.S.C.
