Piedmont Macon executives presented Macon dentist Leigh Bennett with a Community Hero Award  on Friday morning for her work with women who have faced addiction, domestic violence and sexual exploitation.

Dr. Bennett is the founder of the nonprofit Sequoia Dental Assisting School that trains women who are experiencing difficulties in life to become dental assistants.

In addition to her Christian-based school, Dr. Bennett and her team partner with Hands of Grace ministry to give free dental care to Macon’s homeless residents. Dr. Bennett also is involved with mission work in Honduras, where she and her team provide dental services at an orphanage that takes in children who were orphaned, abandoned, abused or living in extreme poverty.

Collectively, the Sequoia Dental Assisting School along with the local and international volunteer work is known as Sequoia Dental Ministries, said Kylee Daniels, the program’s director who also works at Dr. Bennett’s practice, Hartley Bridge Family Dentistry.

“Our ministry started in 2018 because we felt the Lord calling us to connect dentistry and ministry together,” Daniels said. “The interest in what we do is a sign to us that we have places to give and ways to serve that may be beyond the normal scope of dentistry.”

Sequoia Dental Ministries recently partnered with the Dental College of Georgia to provide externship experience for senior dental students while also providing free dental work to residents of local organizations such as the Rescue Mission, Crossroads Recovery, Hands of Grace and ABBA House. As of July 1, Sequoia Dental Ministries has donated more than $270,000 worth of dental services to those in need, she said.

Amber Hall, a Piedmont Macon employee who nominated Dr. Bennett for the Community Hero Award, said she’s more than deserving of the award.

“As a dentist, she is extremely busy with her practice, but she chooses to make time to give back to others,” Hall said. “She strives to make a difference in the lives of these women at the dental assisting school and for the homeless community. All around, she’s just a great human.”

Piedmont Macon CEO Stephen J. Daugherty said Dr. Bennett’s willingness to help others is a trait that others should emulate.

“The world needs more Dr. Leigh Bennetts,” he said. “Her work with women who have found themselves in unfortunate circumstances, as well as her efforts to help Macon’s homeless population and orphans in Central America is inspiring and nothing short of amazing. Dr. Bennett is a true community hero.”

The Community Hero Award is presented quarterly to a deserving individual. After soliciting nominations from the community and hospital employees, Piedmont Macon’s executive leadership team selects a winner. Along with the award, the recipient will receive $500 for the charity or nonprofit organization of his or her choice. Dr. Bennett is Piedmont Macon’s fourth recipient of the award.