It’s been said before that the Class of 1972 is special. Close bonds were formed that have stood the test of time, so that many no longer consider one another just friends, but family.
On the first day of class in 1968, seats were assigned alphabetically for the incoming freshman class. Dr. Darwin Tyrrell was seated next to Dr. David Tillery, and the two would continue to be sat next to one another in every subsequent lecture and lab.
“That day started a friendship that would last over 55 years!” said Dr. Tyrrell of his longtime friend and business partner.
Before moving to Birmingham for dental school, Dr. Tyrrell studied chemistry at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Dr. Tyrrell’s decision to pursue a career in dentistry first began during his tenure at Citronelle High School in rural South Alabama.
“Citronelle High was ahead of its time in those days! There was a program for rising seniors interested in medicine to shadow physicians and dentists for a week at a time. I shadowed both my dentist, Dr. Don Coleman, and my doctor, Dr. John Prine, and ultimately decided that dentistry was a better fit for me.”
Dr. Tyrrell remembers his time in dental school as challenging, but filled with warm memories of attending school dances and football games with friends, and trading stamps with beloved faculty members who supported and encouraged him both in and outside the classroom. During his senior year, Dr. Tyrrell got a job as the nightly parking attendant of the parking lot adjacent to the school.
“At the time, that attendant position only went to a senior, and I was excited to get the job. The more cars you could get in the lot, the more money you made. Since I was saving for my fiancé-to-be, Shelia’s, engagement ring at the time, I would cram as many cars in the lot as I could. One night, Dr. Joseph Volker, - former dean of the dental school who was president of the entire university at that point, - backed into two cars while he was trying to get out. He stopped by the gate as he was exiting and asked me to ease up on trying to make money!”
During their last two years in dental school, Dr. Tyrrell and Dr. Tillery started talking about opening a practice together. They decided to return to Darwin’s home of South Alabama.
“I’m a small town fella, and Birmingham was considered a big city at the time. I like wide-open spaces, and even though I eventually adjusted to it while I was in school, I made sure to return to a small town to practice! Bay Minette has been good to us, too. It’s a wonderful place to live and raise a family, and it’s an outdoorsman’s paradise.”
“The Vietnam War was still going strong when we came to Birmingham for dental school. As a freshman, you were given the opportunity to sign up for the military for service after graduation with the promise of getting the assignment of your choice. Many signed up but David and I, along with others, decided to wait until closer to our senior year. However, as we approached our senior year, the War was winding down and we were informed that we would not be drafted and could go into private practice. This gave us the opportunity to have a two-year head start on learning how to run a dental practice.”
From the months of May through July of 1972, Darwin graduated dental school, took his board exams, started construction on his office in Bay Minette, Ala. and married Shelia. He and David have treated four generations of patients over the last 51 years in the same building they built in 1972.
“I’ve watched patients grow up, get married and have families, start careers and retire from those careers. We’ve focused on making our practice a place of friendship with a family atmosphere. Our staff have always been an integral part of our business too. In fact, one of our hygienists just retired after fifty years, and others have stayed with us for over thirty and forty years. It’s important to us as business owners to always treat our employees with fairness and kindness. When you do that, they’ll deliver for you beyond your dreams, and they’ll stay with you their whole careers if they feel like they’re a part of your family.”
Unlike some dentists, though, Dr. Tyrrell has plans to retire. Over the last year, he and Dr. Tillery were joined by an associate, Dr. Jennifer Milazzo, and cut back to working just a few days a week. After decades of a 5:15 a.m. wake up call to be at the office by 7:15 a.m., Dr. Tyrrell is looking forward to fully retiring soon.
“I’ll have plenty to do. I love to hunt and fish, and all five of my grandchildren live here in Baldwin County so I’ll see them anytime I want. My wife and I will have fun. We’re not big travelers – we can do everything we want right here! I’ll still probably get up by 6:15am though!”
Looking back on his time at UAB, Darwin is grateful.
“Dental school gave me the opportunity to accomplish many things. It taught me that hard work is required to obtain your goals, and that helping people is the reward. When I do finally retire, I’m really going to miss getting see and help my patients every day.”