Building health, hope, and opportunity: Jim Bennett receives Foundation’s top award for 2025

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky (FHKY) is proud to announce Jim Bennett as the 2025 Gil Friedell Memorial Health Policy Award recipient for his outstanding work to improve the heath of immigrants and refugees in the Central Kentucky area.

Bennett and his wife Dot have dedicated their golden years and personal time to create the Centro de San Juan Diego which opened its doors in Lexington in 2020. Jim is a business/industry loss prevention consultant by profession, and Dot is a retired social service worker and ESL teacher. They live in Richmond, Kentucky. Together, they transformed their compassion for others into a thriving hub of health, education, and social services for immigrants and refugees in Central Kentucky. The Centro de San Juan Diego is also an Apostolate of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington and Bennett serves the community as a Deacon of the church.

“Jim and Dot Bennett embody what it means to build healthier communities by addressing the root causes of poor health such as access, opportunity, and belonging,” said Allison Adams, President and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. “Their leadership and generosity are an example of how compassion and action can transform health.”

Centro de San Juan Diego

Under the Bennetts’ leadership, Centro de San Juan Diego has provided more than $1 million annually in free services to families who otherwise faced overwhelming barriers to care. Programs include a spectrum of services that address social determinants of health. This includes food pantry giveaways and family nutrition classes that help keep people fed and provide access to healthy food options.

The Centro also provides health screenings and referrals through partnerships with local clinics and hosts events such as bilingual Masses for World Suicide Prevention Day, helping communities heal from trauma and loss. It offers mental health counseling in Spanish and English.

Additionally, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are available for kids and adults through the Centro. These classes contributed to better employment and financial independence, both essential building blocks for long-term health and well-being.

In 2024 alone, more than 14,000 individuals received support through the Centro’s programs.

“This recognition truly belongs to both of us,” said Bennett. “Dot and I simply saw a need and wanted to do our part. While the community we serve is primarily Hispanic, we welcome anyone who walks through our doors. Our goal has always been to create a place where every person feels seen, supported, and valued.”

Donation to the Centro de San Juan Diego Foundation

The Gil Friedell Memorial Health Policy Award honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to improving the health of Kentuckians through advocacy, policy, leadership, education, or innovation. As part of the award, FHKY donates $5,000 to a nonprofit, chosen by the winner, that is positively impacting health and/or health policy in Kentucky. Bennett chose the Centro de San Juan Diego Foundation, ensuring the funds will further support the organization’s work to expand access to care and opportunity for immigrant and refugee families.

Gil Friedell Memorial Health Policy Award

Dr. Gil Friedell was the first director of the Markey Cancer Center at the University of Kentucky and co-founder of the Kentucky Cancer Registry. He helped launch a nonprofit advocacy education organization in 2005 that later became the Friedell Committee for Health System Transformation. The Foundation created the Friedell Award when it united with the Friedell Committee in 2018.