The Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences (ASHS) Foundation has appointed Dr. Mark McIlwain — a nationally recognized oral and maxillofacial surgeon, physician and healthcare leader — to its Board of Directors, adding one of Alabama’s most accomplished medical professionals to the governing body supporting development of the state’s first public residential high school dedicated exclusively to healthcare career preparation and workforce development.

An expert in oral and maxillofacial surgery, facial trauma, emergency medicine and anesthesia safety, Dr. McIlwain lectures nationally and across the Southeast. He has received the Fuller Award and the UAB School of Dentistry Distinguished Dentist Award — the two highest honors in Alabama dentistry — and will be inducted this year into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame.

Raised in Butler in Choctaw County, Dr. McIlwain graduated as an Honor Graduate of Patrician Academy in 1974. He earned a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, in Biology and Psychology from the University of Alabama New College in 1978, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and received both the Robert Allen Foote Scholarship and the Governor of Alabama Academic Scholarship.

“Growing up in the Black Belt made me well aware of the difficulties in rural healthcare, and I have urged and encouraged those looking at healthcare careers to consider efforts to improve rural access to care,” said Dr. McIlwain. “Working with Doctors in all 67 Alabama counties gives me the privilege of contacting and soliciting a broad range of possible funding sources for this statewide healthcare high school.”

Dr. McIlwain went on to earn both a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) and M.D. He received his DMD from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry in 1982, where he earned the school’s highest student honor, the Dean’s Medal, served as a class officer, and participated in multiple honor societies. Following graduation, he operated a private general dentistry practice in Tuscumbia from 1982–1987 and served as First Assistant in General Surgery at Helen Keller Hospital from 1983–1986.

He earned his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in 1990 from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and received the Lux Scholarship for Academic Excellence and the Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award. Dr. McIlwain completed a General Surgery internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and subsequently served as Resident and Chief Resident in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Returning to the Shoals in 1992, he joined Oral and Facial Surgery of the Shoals in Sheffield and Florence, where he continues to practice. He has been board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery since 1997 and maintains memberships in numerous professional organizations including the AMA, MASA, ALDA, ADA and AAOMS.

“Dr. McIlwain is one of the most respected and honored professionals in his fields in Alabama, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the Foundation board, to benefit from his abilities to lead and inspire,” said ASHS Foundation President & CEO Scott Huffman.

Dr. McIlwain’s leadership and service extend well beyond clinical practice. He served as Chief of Staff at Helen Keller Hospital (2003–2005) and as Colbert County’s 911 Medical Director from 2010–2025, coordinating trauma response during the devastating 2011 Phil Campbell and Hackleburg tornadoes. He has been team physician for Deshler High School since 1992 and Medical Director for Keller Sports Medicine and athletic trainer supervisor for Colbert County since 2005. He also served 12 years on the Tuscumbia City Schools Board of Education.

He has also served on the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners (member 2015–2020 and 2022–present; president 2019, 2020 and 2025).

The ASHS Foundation supports the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences through philanthropic partnerships and community engagement as the school prepares to welcome its inaugural class in August.

For more information about the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences, visit www.alhealthcarehs.org.