Second generation dentist wins Citizen of the Year

Published 7:03 pm Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Sally Hewett has always been one to give back to the community, both professionally and in her personal life.

The 26-year island resident has helped bring superior health options in her field of dentistry to developing countries, and she’s made a difference on Bainbridge Island, as well.

Hewett, a life-long Washingtonian, will be this year’s recipient of the Kiwanis Club Citizen of the Year award, bestowed annually on an individual who makes a difference in the community.

“It’s really a huge honor because this is a community of amazing, big-hearted people always looking to make a difference,” she said. “I couldn’t be more delighted.”

Kiwanis Club began handing out this award in 1984, and the winner is chosen from a group of nominations made by the public or service organizations throughout Bainbridge.

Hewett is a second-generation dentist, and as soon as she started her profession she began to take her experience out of the office.

Hewett served as the president of the Bainbridge Dental Study Group and Kitsap County Dental Society, and she’s the current vice president of the Washington Oral Health Foundation. Hewett serves an international calling by working in the Health Volunteers Overseas program, an organization that takes health professionals across all fields to developing countries to give those nations’ doctors better training.

“Making sure that people are in good health is really a life-long mission that just expands with volunteers overseas,” she said. “What I’ve found in other parts of the world is the need is exponentially greater.”

Hewett is the program director for the Laos division. She has traveled to the country three different times to observe and participate in training dentists.

“The dentists I’ve encountered there were brilliant, caring people with just very few resources,” she said.

But Hewett doesn’t spend all her energy abroad. She’s heavily involved with several Bainbridge organizations .

Hewett has always been concerned with the oral health of children and adolescents. She’s a former president, secretary and member of the board of directors at Bainbridge Youth Services with a goal of helping the youth on the island, whether it be through dental care or any other service.

“Youth are key to the future,” she said. “Providing any support for them that we can is critical.”

Hewett takes her volunteer work outside her profession seriously, as well. She was a part of a team with Habitat for Humanity that helped build a home in Fort Ward. She collected donations from her colleagues and recruited fellow dentists out into the field.

Hewett said she gets as much from volunteer work outside her profession because she receives a new experience every time.

“The great thing about volunteering in areas that aren’t in my line of expertise is I learn a lot,” she said. “I learn a lot from it, and I never get bored.”

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Citizen of the Year: Sally Hewett

Hewett will accept her award at a banquet at IslandWood, Sept. 26. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. with a reception, with dinner to follow at 6 p.m. Cost of entry is $36 and reservations must be made by Sept. 15. To reserve a spot, contact Beth Balder at 780-3646 or bethab@bainbridge.net.