Above: Dr. Ashley McMillan
A seasoned dental educator and clinician has been appointed as the associate dean for clinical affairs at the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine (LCSDM).
Dr. Ashley McMillan, who has served in an advisory role at the school since early 2024, will step into the role effective January 2025, the school said in a news release on Tuesday.
McMillan brings a wealth of experience in dental education and clinical practice to the institution’s leadership team, according to the release. A native Arkansan, McMillan has been with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock since 2014, serving as the residency director for the General Practice Dental Residency (GPR) program since 2019. As director, she significantly expanded the GPR program and introduced a second-year residency option to provide advanced training in more complex dental cases.
McMillan’s achievements in the field include being awarded the Arkansas State Dental Association’s Cynthia Caceres Baker New Dentist Award in 2022. She holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
As a longtime member of the Arkansas State Dental Association, Central District Dental Society and Academy of General Dentistry, McMillan is an advocate for organized dentistry and is committed to advancing the profession and actively encourages young dentists to become involved in the profession and professional organizations, the release said.
McMillan expressed her excitement about joining LCSDM.
“I am honored to take on this role at such a pivotal moment for the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine,” McMillan said. “I look forward to working with a talented team to create a program that not only offers top-tier clinical training but also prepares our students to make a meaningful impact in the communities they will serve.”
Dr. Burke Soffe, founding dean of the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine, underscored the importance of McMillan’s appointment to the future of the school.
“We are thrilled that Dr. McMillan is joining our team,” Soffe said. “Her extensive experience in postgraduate dental education, coupled with her deep connections to the dental community in Arkansas, will be invaluable as we develop our clinical curriculum. Her leadership will ensure that our students are equipped with the skills and knowledge to excel in their careers.”
Lyon College President Dr. Melissa Taverner highlighted McMillan’s role in advancing the college’s mission.
“Dr. McMillan’s expertise and leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future of our dental school and its impact on Arkansas,” Taverner said. “Her commitment to education, patient care and service aligns perfectly with Lyon College’s vision of empowering difference-makers, and I am confident she will be a driving force in our success.”
Pending accreditation, the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine will welcome its inaugural class in summer 2025.
LCSDM said McMillan’s appointment strengthens the school’s commitment to providing high-quality dental education and addressing the dental care needs of Arkansas and beyond.
Image provided by Lyon College
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