MUSC Community Physicians

Dawn Smalls has always had a passion for caring for those in need. She is a native of Charleston, South Carolina where she graduated from Trident Technical College with her Associate of Science in Nursing. While working as a registered nurse, she continued to further her education. She earned her Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degrees from the Medical University of South Carolina. She has also obtained certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2021. She then moved to Lancaster, South Carolina where she actively participates in improving access to care and continues her passion to help those in need.

Jenna Bender has been a Physician Assistant for over ten years. She received her training and education at Wake Forest University. She started her professional career in transplant surgery, focusing on liver and kidney disease. Since transitioning to outpatient Gastroenterology practice, she has focused on liver disease with a strong interest in treating Hepatitis C. In addition to liver disease, she also treats patients with inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and esophageal conditions.

Leah Terry is a board certified acute care nurse practitioner focusing on the management of patients with acute/chronic GI symptoms. She is a local graduate of the University of South Carolina-Lancaster where she obtained her Associates Degree in Nursing in 2013. Leah was a bedside nurse at MUSC Health Lancaster Medical Center for 6 years. Leah completed her Master's Degree in Nursing from Walden University in 2018 and became a board-certified adult/gerontological acute care nurse practitioner through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Leah works both in the acute care and clinic offering exceptional patient care. Her compassionate care and focus on evidence based practice is what sets her apart from other providers. Leah is proud to continue her journey of caring for patients in her hometown.