Our Team
Dr. Bill Sasser - Dental Director
Dr. Sasser was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He received his BS in pharmacy from Samford University in 1966. He served as a U.S. Navy Pharmacy Officer for three years. In 1973 he received his DMD at the Medical University of South Carolina. After serving a residency in periodontics at the University of Alabama in 1976, he began a private practice.
He left a private practice of almost 30 years in 2005 to enter a "second career" focused primarily on international service. He returned to part-time private practice in 2010 while participating in multiple short-term international projects yearly.
Dr. Sasser is a fellow in both the American and International Colleges of Dentistry. He is a member of the American and South Carolina Dental Associations, American Academy of Periodontics, and is the past president of the Southern Academy of Periodontics. He was a trustee of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations and on the Christian Dental Society and Global Health Outreach advisory boards.
His mission is "To use my God-given time, talents, and experience in service of the dental and spiritual needs of those in need (tooth and soul)."
Lisa Summerlin - Program Director
Lisa, a registered dental hygienist, has wide-ranging experience in dentistry, including work in private practice, academic, research, and nonprofit settings. Lisa was the clinical director of Charleston's first charity dental clinic and has supported charity dental efforts for most of her career.
In 2020, Lisa left the Medical University of South Carolina to become Program Director for NCDO, along with clinical operations at the St. Matthew dental clinic. Lisa undertook administration and grant writing to assist in developing and fundraising for an expanded and modernized charity clinic serving North Charleston and surrounding communities.
Lisa continues as Program Director overseeing administration, operations, personnel, and volunteers.
Jamie Ayers - Clinical Director
Jamie has 25+ years of experience in the dental field. She oversees clinical operations such as supplies, sterilization, equipment maintenance, and assisting dentists during clinical procedures. She does a great job of maintaining order among volunteers while giving special attention to student treatment coordination.
Jamie is a wife and loving mother of three.
Ann Martinez - Schedule Coordinator
Ann schedules appointments and coordinates the clinic's day-to-day operations. Because of her language skills, she is invaluable in helping communicate with the clinic's growing number of Hispanic patients. She responds to phone inquiries, interprets during clinical procedures, and provides clinical assistance when called upon.
Ann has worked in the medical field for over 30 years as a home health aide and medical and dental assistant.
Ann is a mother of four and has lived in Charleston for 14 years.
Elijah Melendez - Development Coordinator
Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Elijah first came to Charleston by attending The Citadel, where he was awarded a degree in English, Fine Arts, and Communication. It was there that he met Jesus and first began volunteering his time at local nonprofits.
Elijah has assumed several roles since he first joined NCDO. His love for Jesus, desire to serve people, and interest in nonprofit ministry make him a good fit for our organization. He currently supports relationships with donors while building out our development strategy.