The Heart of A Gift of Smiles
Our team is made up of experienced dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and administrators who specialize in caring for individuals with special healthcare needs. Together, they develop individualized, comprehensive treatment plans and deliver exceptional, patient-centered care.
In addition to our clinical and administrative team, we are guided by a dedicated Board of Directors who provide leadership, oversight, and strategic direction.
We are also deeply grateful for our volunteers, who generously give their time and talents to support our capital campaigns and fundraising efforts. The support they help generate allows us to provide comprehensive dental treatment for patients who otherwise may not be able to afford care.
Interested in making a difference? Take the next step and join us — learn how to become involved as a volunteer.
Dwight Jennings Ashby, DDS
Dentist
Dwight is a board-certified pediatric dentist with more than 40 years of experience caring for children and individuals with special healthcare needs throughout the Harrisburg metropolitan area.
Born in Anderson, Indiana and raised in northwest Indiana, Dr. Ashby earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Purdue University before completing dental school at Indiana University. He then completed specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry at Children’s Hospital of Cincinnati, where he developed a lifelong passion for treating patients with complex medical and developmental needs.
Dr. Ashby practiced for decades at Kearns & Ashby Pediatric Dentistry, becoming known for his passion, patience, and empathy in caring for children and patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He also served as an adjunct faculty member in the pediatric dental residency program at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA.
He currently holds hospital privileges at UPMC Harrisburg Hospital, allowing him to provide comprehensive dental treatment ( including care under general anesthesia) for patients who cannot be safely treated in a traditional dental office setting.
Dr. Ashby is an active member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Pennsylvania Dental Association, Pennsylvania Association of Pediatric Dentists, Harrisburg Area Dental Society, and the Pennsylvania Dental Association Leadership Academy (2025–2026). He also volunteers at Hope Within Ministries dental clinic in Elizabethtown.
Outside of dentistry, Dr. Ashby enjoys his faith, cycling of all kinds, skiing, woodworking, cheering for his beloved Chicago Blackhawks and spending time with his wife, their four grown sons, and two grandsons.
MaryLou
Dental Assistant
MaryLou Law is a dental assistant at Gift of Smiles with over 20 years of experience in patient care and clinical support. She previously retired from Sci Camp Hill where she served as a dental assistant and provided clerical support for the healthcare administrator. During her time there she also served as the staff CPR instructor for the medical and dental team. MaryLou has worked in multiple roles, including chair, side assisting, and front desk reception, and has coordinated fundraising efforts for the State SECA campaign. She’s especially passionate about helping patients feel at ease and believes that compassion and attentiveness are essential parts of quality care. Married with five children and two grandchildren, MaryLou enjoys woodworking, gardening, working with resin and sewing. She considers it a blessing to serve patients and to be part of a team that places, faith and compassion at the center of care.
Sara
Dental Hygienist
Sara brings more than 15 years of experience in pediatric dental hygiene to A Gift of Smiles, having previously served families at Kearns & Ashby Pediatric Dentistry. Her passion for compassionate, patient-centered care makes her a wonderful addition to our team and our mission.
Sara is a proud mom to four adult children — Maddie, Luke, Morgan, and Sebastian — and a daughter-in-law, Baylie. She and her husband, Matt, are eagerly awaiting a very special new role: becoming first-time grandparents to a baby girl later this summer.
When she’s not caring for patients, Sara loves spending time at the lake in her home state of Maine visiting family. She also enjoys playing with their family dog, Millie, gardening, baking, refinishing old furniture, and heading out on spontaneous weekend adventures with her husband.
We are grateful to have Sara as part of our team as she helps advance our mission of providing compassionate dental care to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Stephanie
Dental Hygienist
Stephanie brings years of experience providing dental hygiene care for patients with physical, developmental, and cognitive disabilities. She is deeply committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care and helping create a comfortable, supportive environment for every individual she serves.
Stephanie’s dedication aligns closely with our mission to ensure that all patients receive dental care with dignity, respect, and understanding. She is passionate about removing barriers to care and making positive experiences possible for individuals who often face challenges accessing dental services.
We are grateful to have Stephanie as part of our team and for the care and heart she brings to our patients and families each day.
Shanna
Office Administrator
Shanna G. serves as the Administrative Assistant for A Gift of Smiles, where she manages patient appointments and paperwork while keeping the office organized and running smoothly. She brings 40 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and a deep passion for service and advocacy, particularly for individuals with disabilities.
Shanna is dedicated to helping ensure every patient receives compassionate, dignified access to care in a supportive environment. She lives in Camp Hill with her husband, Aaron, and their two children — Elia, a pre-professional dancer, and Caleb, who enjoys playing basketball and baseball.
Outside of work, Shanna loves running as a form of relaxation and meditation and hopes to run another half marathon in the fall. She also serves as Vice President of the PTO at her son’s elementary school, is a proud dog mom to two golden retrievers named Rosie and Winston, and says her favorite color is pink.
Sarah
Dental Assistant
Sarah has been working in pediatric dentistry for almost 10 years and absolutely loves serving her community. She has a passion for working in pediatrics and with patients who have special health care needs. Her favorite part of working with kids is educating parents on proper dental care to promote healthy smiles and long-term confidence, as well as helping anxious kiddos feel comfortable, have fun, and enjoy their appointments.
When she’s not working in dentistry, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and taking her golden retriever, Tucker, on hikes.
Dr. Ashby was the first dentist she ever worked with, and she is grateful to still be serving the community alongside him for this great cause all these years later.
Sharing Our Mission
A Gift of Smiles’ board of directors consists of local leaders with a wide range of experience who share our mission. They are comprised of individuals from the dental, medical, legal, financial, legislative and advocacy sectors of our community.
Many of our board members have experienced firsthand both the challenges and the triumphs associated with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their personal stake in A Gift Of Smiles mission provides our volunteers and staff with wisdom, inspiration, and guidance.
Dwight J. Ashby, D.D.S., Diplomate
Founder & President, A Gift of Smiles
Dr. Dwight J. Ashby, Founder and President of A Gift of Smiles Foundation, is dedicated to ensuring individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive compassionate, dignified dental care. His mission was inspired during his residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital by a non-verbal patient whose powerful letter affirmed his belief that every person deserves empathy and respect. Since founding the organization, Dr. Ashby has worked to remove barriers to care by providing all clinical services free of charge, leading the foundation’s mission alongside his wife, Janet, from Central Pennsylvania.
Shanna Geistwite
Secretary
Shanna G. serves as the Administrative Assistant for A Gift of Smiles, where she manages patient appointments and paperwork while keeping the office organized and running smoothly. She brings 40 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and a deep passion for service and advocacy, particularly for individuals with disabilities.
Shanna is dedicated to helping ensure every patient receives compassionate, dignified access to care in a supportive environment. She lives in Camp Hill with her husband, Aaron, and their two children — Elia, a pre-professional dancer, and Caleb, who enjoys playing basketball and baseball.
Outside of work, Shanna loves running as a form of relaxation and meditation and hopes to run another half marathon in the fall. She also serves as Vice President of the PTO at her son’s elementary school, is a proud dog mom to two golden retrievers named Rosie and Winston, and says her favorite color is pink.
Charles Henry, CPA
Treasurer
Chuck is a certified public accountant with over 40 years of experience in accounting and tax, currently serving as an accounting manager at Gift CPAs. A member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as well as treasurer for the Knights of Columbus Saint Joseph Council 12788, Chuck’s financial expertise has been invaluable to A Gift of Smiles. A Pittsburgh native and Clarion University graduate, he and his wife Doreen have lived in Mechanicsburg for over 25 years, have two adult children and a granddaughter, and enjoy golf, volleyball, and giving back through volunteer work.
Daniel J. Smith, DMD
Board Member
Dr. Smith, a western Lehigh Valley native, earned his B.S. in Biology from Kutztown University and his Doctorate in Dental Medicine from Temple University in 2010. He served in the U.S. Air Force, completing his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency at San Antonio Military Medical Center and later serving as an attending at Walter Reed, earning the Meritorious Service Medal in 2018. A board-certified diplomate, Dr. Smith specializes in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, dental implants, and complex extractions, and enjoys soccer, cars, golf, and time around the campfire with his wife, Hannah.
Jane Davis, DDS
Board Member
Dr. Davis, a Cumberland Valley High School graduate, earned her B.S. in Medical Technology and Doctor of Dental Surgery from West Virginia University, followed by a General Practice Residency at WVU Hospital. She later taught GPR residents at Georgetown University Hospital while her husband served as an Army medical officer, before returning to Central PA to practice general dentistry and serve as a dental consultant for Delta Dental of PA. Prior to retirement, she was an adjunct instructor in the dental hygiene program at Harrisburg Area Community College and now enjoys quilting, traveling, and spending time with her husband Richard and their three grandchildren.
Greg Lesher
Board Member
Greg spent the first 11 years of his professional career playing golf around the world, including competing on the PGA Tour, Asian Tour, and Korn Ferry Tour, after graduating from LSU in 1990 with a degree in Economics. He later joined his family’s truck dealership business, where he served as President/Owner of Lesher Mack Sales & Service, Inc. and Lesher Leasing, Inc. (Lesher NationaLease) from 2002 through 2023, before transitioning to work with Bergey’s Truck Centers and continuing to own and manage industrial warehouse properties. Greg lives in Mechanicsburg, PA with his wife Ali and their six children, attends LCBC West Shore, and serves as a development ambassador for Cure Int’l and a capital campaign member for Jubilee Ministries.
Keith Sunderman
Board Member
Keith Sunderman is a recently retired Project Director who led more than $2.5 billion in major capital projects across healthcare, higher education, data infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing, including a children’s hospital, cancer research institute, large-scale data center, and multiple Greenfield steel facilities nationwide. A Carnegie Mellon University civil engineering graduate and certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Keith is known for building high-trust, high-performing teams that successfully deliver complex initiatives. He currently serves on the boards of Vista Adult Services and A Gift of Smiles, and is a trainer for the Construction Owners Association of America Owner Training Institute, teaching Lean Construction and high-performing team leadership.
Peter Dillon, MD
Board Member
Peter W. Dillon, MD, MSc, retired from Penn State Health in 2023 after 33 years as a pediatric surgeon and healthcare leader, most recently serving as executive vice president and chief clinical officer and vice dean for clinical affairs at the Penn State College of Medicine. He previously spent 14 years as Chairman of the Department of Surgery and the John A. and Marian T. Waldhausen Professor of Surgery. A graduate of Harvard University and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Dillon completed residencies and fellowships at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia and New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, and later earned a master’s degree in outcomes and biostatistics from Penn State. He and his wife, Judy, live in the Harrisburg area with two grown children.
Janet Ashby, MSN, CRNP
Board Member
Janet’s commitment to special needs children and their families can be traced back to her early career as a NICU nurse in her native Indiana and continues today as a nurse practitioner for The Women’s Healthcare Group, York, PA. She obtained her BS in Nursing from Purdue University and her MSN, CRNP from the University of Maryland.
Janet has been chairman of the annual A Gift Of Smiles fundraising gala since the first gala in 2015. With her dedication to the foundation and fund raising skills, Janet and her committee have raised over $495,000, providing funding for the dental treatment of our patients. She and Dwight share their love of travel, biking, skiing and being the parents of four sons and two grandsons.
