For nearly 25 years, a retired Bay area dentist has dedicated his life to helping others.
- Dr. Bill Johnston retiring from clinic he created
- Johnston ran dental clinic at Homeless Empowerment Program in Clearwater
- To nominate an Everyday Hero, please email Michael.hardin@charter.com
And if not for the generosity of Dr. Bill Johnston, thousands of local patients would be without dental care.
Dr. Johnston created a free dental clinic at the Homeless Empowerment Program on Betty Lane in Clearwater almost 25 years ago. And that came after 34 years at his own dental practice.
"As word got out (about the clinic), other people would call up and say 'I'd like to come over there,' " Johnston said. "And it just got bigger and bigger."
Solo when he started the clinic, now 32 dentists volunteer at the facility.
Now, at 87, Dr. Johnston is retiring - again.
He has many memories of the people he has helped over the years.
HEP President and CEO Ashley Lowery said Johnston's contributions to the non-profit organization are immeasurable.
"Today, we house just under 400 people everyday," Lowery said. "That includes about 110 veterans, between 30 and 40 families and their children, as well as single individuals."
And of Dr. Johnston?
"He is an extraordinary individual. He's incredibly humble," she said. "And without his volunterism, we wouldn't have a dental clinic."
Dr. Johnston, meanwhile, stresses he is the lucky one for simply being in a position to aid others.
"God wants us to be humble," Johnston said. "So I could just say I'm glad I had the opportunity to do it. I had the health and the training and a license to do this and I'm so thankful for that."