Project Happy Face: Clear Skin, Bright Futures. Delivered Healthcare with Compassion
In Oregon’s rural counties, where access to specialized healthcare is scarce, Project Happy Face (PHF) is transforming lives one patient, one smile, one mile at a time. Founded by nationally recognized Dermatology PA Amy Snow, PHF is a nonprofit dedicated to bridging the divide between urban and rural healthcare systems by delivering expert dermatologic care directly to underserved communities.
PHF’s mobile outreach trailer travels to remote zip codes where skin cancer screenings and dermatology services are virtually nonexistent. Through its Screen to Save program, PHF provides free skin cancer screenings, catching life-threatening conditions early and saving lives in areas where patients might otherwise go years without seeing a specialist. To date, PHF has identified multiple melanomas through its mobile unit, directly saving lives by catching skin cancer before it became deadly.
For teenagers, PHF offers the Clear Skin, Bright Futures program, a confidence-building initiative that provides free acne treatments and skincare to high school students who have no access to dermatology. Medications are delivered directly to their schools, eliminating barriers like transportation and cost. But PHF’s approach goes deeper than skin. Students receiving care sign a contract to smile at strangers and respond to four reflective essay questions, fostering civility, empathy, and self-worth. They graduate not only with clearer skin, but with a renewed sense of confidence and a commitment to give back.
PHF’s model is rooted in mentorship and community-building. Teens are taught that receiving care is just the beginning, they’re encouraged to pay it forward once they’ve launched their careers. This philosophy plants seeds of civic responsibility and compassion, creating a ripple effect that strengthens entire communities. The mobile unit is more than a trailer, it’s a lifeline, a safe space for teens, and a symbol of hope.
As part of this year’s local nonprofit donation campaign, Project Happy Face invites the community to support its mission. Donations will go directly to the patients who need medications and to fuel the mobile unit that delivers care across rural counties. Every dollar helps provide life-saving screenings, medical-grade treatments, and mentorship to youth who are ready to shine.
Project Happy Face isn’t just treating skin, its building futures, fostering civility, and saving lives. With your support, we can continue to reach the zip codes that need us most and ensure that no teenager with acne is left behind because of where they live.
