Macon, Ga. (September 22, 2023) – Piedmont Macon presented its first-ever Community Hero Award to Macon dentist Samer Othman, D.D.S., who volunteers each month to provide free dental care at the Macon Volunteer Clinic.
Dr. Othman has volunteered his time and services at the clinic for 15 years, including answering the phone and scribing for volunteer physicians. For the past 10 years, he has provided dental care to the clinic’s patients as well as at his own private practice in Macon.
“Samer is almost synonymous with Macon Volunteer Clinic, because he has been part of us for so long,” said Nancy White, the organization’s executive director. “He models the values of humility, kindness and service for all who are fortunate enough to know him. Our community is a better place because of Samer – for his pro bono dental work, certainly, but also because he just inspires us to be better human beings.”
Stephen J. Daugherty, CEO of Piedmont Macon Medical Center and Piedmont Macon North Hospital, said Dr. Othman is the epitome of the community heroes the award will recognize.
“The kind of work Dr. Othman performs and the need he fills in this community make him an outstanding choice as our first Community Hero,” Daugherty said. “One of the things that makes this award special is that it gives Piedmont Macon an opportunity to recognize the unsung heroes who are living and working among us to make our community a better place.”
Dr. Othman has served on the Macon Volunteer Clinic board since 2017 and is the immediate past board chairman. He is also active with the Georgia Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry and United in Pink.
A graduate of Stratford Academy in Macon, he went on to obtain a degree from Howard University College of Dentistry in 2012. He also has a master’s degree in public health from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Mercer University.
The Community Hero Award will be presented quarterly to a deserving individual who embodies Piedmont’s mantra: “To make a positive difference in every life we touch.”
After soliciting nominations from the community, Piedmont Macon’s executive leadership team selects the winner. Along with the award, the recipient will receive $500 for the charity or nonprofit organization of his or her choice.