Vision
“Ensure all children will be truly successful”
Dr. James L. Orrington was born to James C. Orrington and Bessie Rogers Orrington in Macon, Georgia. His quest for education and knowledge, willingness to help others and generous nature as a young child were recognized early in his life by his mother. He has spent subsequent years developing these traits and values that were instilled in him as a young man.
Dr. James L. Orrington attended grammar school at Henry A. Hunt Elementary, where he was active in various sports, including track and field, football and basketball. During his high school years, he was an active participant in various extracurricular activities. He was in the school’s marching band, “The Peter G. Appling Marching 105,” where he played the cymbals and the drums.
He was a good student, learning as much as he could to get the best education possible. He studied French as a foreign language and developed an excellent command of the language. In addition to his academics, he began his entrepreneurship at the early age of five, selling Ebony Magazines. As a high school student until he graduated, he worked very hard as a newspaper carrier, delivering papers in the early morning before school. He earned extra money to help himself financially for school supplies and clothing items.
After his high school graduation in 1962, Dr. James L. Orrington enlisted in the Air Force and served for four years as an air policeman. He easily made rank as a sergeant because he always had a great personality and was able to get along and communicate with others. In addition, he always gave 110% of all efforts in being the best he could and achieving the highest-level possible of knowledge and understanding. While in the Air Force, he spent most of his tour of duty stationed in France. The French that he learned in high school was an asset to his communication skills in France. He continued studying the language and became more proficient in speaking French. After leaving the Air Force with an honorable discharge, he began his studies at Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama in 1966.
At Tuskegee Institute, (now Tuskegee University), he majored in Biology with the desire to further his education to become a dentist. He graduated from Tuskegee Institute in 1970 with departmental honors in biology. He was accepted to several dental schools, and he chose to attend the Medical College of Georgia Dental School in Augusta, Georgia, in 1970. He was one of the first African Americans to attend and graduate from a dental school in Georgia.
After graduating from dental school in 1973, Dr. James L. Orrington completed a general practice residency program in dentistry at the Edward A. Hines Veterans Hospital, Hines, Illinois. At Hines Veterans Hospital, Dr. Orrington continued his lifelong quest for knowledge as he interacted with various experts in the dentistry profession who helped to equip him to be an expert. After passing the Illinois Board in 1974, he became a licensed professional dentist in the state of Illinois.
Dr. Orrington opened his dental office at 8244 S. Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL, on September 14, 1975. He has been providing general dental services to his patients at the same location for over 36 years, and he anticipates many more years of community-orientated dental care.
Additionally, Dr. Orrington’s commitment to community-oriented dental practices as well as his philanthropic spirit of giving is demonstrated in his many memberships, past and present. He is a life member of the Georgia Health University Alumni Association (former Medical College of Georgia), member of the Presidents Club at the Geogia Health Science University, (former Medical College of Georgia), and the Distinguished Presidential Associate at Tuskegee University. The Orrington-McRae Endowed Scholarship at the Georgia Health Science University was created to ensure a legacy to future generations of African American students entering dental school. He is a member of the Illinois Dental Society, American Dental Association, American Orthodontic Society (AOS), and lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Dr. Orrington has demonstrated his spirit of community oriented dental services and education to the community in various ways. For example, in years past during Martin Luther King Holiday celebrations, he and his staff provided free dental services. Additionally, he has provided free dental services and educational materials to block clubs and schools. In 2005-2006, he was “Principal for the Day” at Daniel Hale Williams Preparatory School of Medicine. He talked to the students about criteria for entrance to dental school, what the dental profession covers and information needed for maintaining excellent oral health for life.
Dr. Orrington has traveled extensively throughout the United States and many other countries such as France, Italy, Spain, England, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, China, Mexico, Slovenia, Croatia, Denmark and Brazil. In Brazil he is a permanent resident.
Dr. Orrington attends Christian Youth Missionary Baptist Church, where he has been an active member for 25 years. He is married to Mary F. Orrington, a retired registered professional nurse.
They have two adult children, Dr. Janie Orrington Myers and Dr. James Orrington, II. Dr. Janie Orrington Myers is a board certified surgeon, specializing in advance laparoscopic surgery and Dr. James L. Orrington II is a practicing dentist in Chicago. Dr. and Mrs. Orrington are the proud grand parents of three grandsons; Brandon,Darnell Jr and Jax James.
Dr. James L. Orrington attended grammar school at Henry A. Hunt Elementary, where he was active in various sports, including track and field, football and basketball. During his high school years, he was an active participant in various extracurricular activities. He was in the school’s marching band, “The Peter G. Appling Marching 105,” where he played the cymbals and the drums.
He was a good student, learning as much as he could to get the best education possible. He studied French as a foreign language and developed an excellent command of the language. In addition to his academics, he began his entrepreneurship at the early age of five, selling Ebony Magazines. As a high school student until he graduated, he worked very hard as a newspaper carrier, delivering papers in the early morning before school. He earned extra money to help himself financially for school supplies and clothing items.
After his high school graduation in 1962, Dr. James L. Orrington enlisted in the Air Force and served for four years as an air policeman. He easily made rank as a sergeant because he always had a great personality and was able to get along and communicate with others. In addition, he always gave 110% of all efforts in being the best he could and achieving the highest-level possible of knowledge and understanding. While in the Air Force, he spent most of his tour of duty stationed in France. The French that he learned in high school was an asset to his communication skills in France. He continued studying the language and became more proficient in speaking French. After leaving the Air Force with an honorable discharge, he began his studies at Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama in 1966.
At Tuskegee Institute, (now Tuskegee University), he majored in Biology with the desire to further his education to become a dentist. He graduated from Tuskegee Institute in 1970 with departmental honors in biology. He was accepted to several dental schools, and he chose to attend the Medical College of Georgia Dental School in Augusta, Georgia, in 1970. He was one of the first African Americans to attend and graduate from a dental school in Georgia.
After graduating from dental school in 1973, Dr. James L. Orrington completed a general practice residency program in dentistry at the Edward A. Hines Veterans Hospital, Hines, Illinois. At Hines Veterans Hospital, Dr. Orrington continued his lifelong quest for knowledge as he interacted with various experts in the dentistry profession who helped to equip him to be an expert. After passing the Illinois Board in 1974, he became a licensed professional dentist in the state of Illinois.
Dr. Orrington opened his dental office at 8244 S. Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL, on September 14, 1975. He has been providing general dental services to his patients at the same location for over 36 years, and he anticipates many more years of community-orientated dental care.
Additionally, Dr. Orrington’s commitment to community-oriented dental practices as well as his philanthropic spirit of giving is demonstrated in his many memberships, past and present. He is a life member of the Georgia Health University Alumni Association (former Medical College of Georgia), member of the Presidents Club at the Geogia Health Science University, (former Medical College of Georgia), and the Distinguished Presidential Associate at Tuskegee University. The Orrington-McRae Endowed Scholarship at the Georgia Health Science University was created to ensure a legacy to future generations of African American students entering dental school. He is a member of the Illinois Dental Society, American Dental Association, American Orthodontic Society (AOS), and lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Dr. Orrington has demonstrated his spirit of community oriented dental services and education to the community in various ways. For example, in years past during Martin Luther King Holiday celebrations, he and his staff provided free dental services. Additionally, he has provided free dental services and educational materials to block clubs and schools. In 2005-2006, he was “Principal for the Day” at Daniel Hale Williams Preparatory School of Medicine. He talked to the students about criteria for entrance to dental school, what the dental profession covers and information needed for maintaining excellent oral health for life.
Dr. Orrington has traveled extensively throughout the United States and many other countries such as France, Italy, Spain, England, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, China, Mexico, Slovenia, Croatia, Denmark and Brazil. In Brazil he is a permanent resident.
Dr. Orrington attends Christian Youth Missionary Baptist Church, where he has been an active member for 25 years. He is married to Mary F. Orrington, a retired registered professional nurse.
They have two adult children, Dr. Janie Orrington Myers and Dr. James Orrington, II. Dr. Janie Orrington Myers is a board certified surgeon, specializing in advance laparoscopic surgery and Dr. James L. Orrington II is a practicing dentist in Chicago. Dr. and Mrs. Orrington are the proud grand parents of three grandsons; Brandon,Darnell Jr and Jax James.