Farewell to COD Dean, Dr. Clark Stanford
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On January 4, 2022, Dean Clark Stanford was named Dean of the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, affective April 1, 2022. In his nearly eight years as the Dean of UIC College of Dentistry, Dr. Clark Stanford’s leadership and influence have strengthened the College and community changing the future of oral health for years to come.
Prior to joining UIC, Dr. Stanford began his dental career at the University of Iowa. After graduating in 1984 with a BS in Zoology, Dr. Stanford received his DDS (1987) and continued his studies to receive a Certificate in Prosthodontics and a PhD in cell biology in 1992. That same year he became a member of Iowa’s faculty, rising through the academic ranks becoming Professor (2001-2014), endowed Centennial Fund Professor for Research (2001-2014) and served as Associate Dean for Research (2008-2014). Dr. Stanford spent about 35 years of his professional and academic career at Iowa, signaling a return to where it all began.
The legacy Dr. Stanford leaves behind is indisputable. Not only is he the 44th person to receive the UIC Distinguished Professor designation, Dr. Stanford assisted the College with the creation of a 7/70 DMD curriculum, completion of an HVAC project, revision of the Masters in Oral Science degree program, and many more firsts and feats. He served as Director of the Pilot Award program for the CCTS/CTSA NIH Award. Dr. Stanford is the author of 20 book chapters, 137 published papers, and roughly 140 published research abstracts. Along with being the head of the College, Dr Stanford works as a practicing clinician, treating patients for complex rehabilitation with an emphasis in craniofacial anomalies.
Dean Stanford will be deeply missed by the College and patient community, and his legacy and efforts will not go unnoticed by the generation of dentists to come. Dr. Susan Rowan, DDS, MS, Executive Associate Dean, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, and Clinical Professor highlighted the Dean’s effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that Stanford “must be commended for leading the College through challenging infrastructure and building renovations, a once in a century pandemic, and through a successful accreditation process by creating teams that work in unity for the ultimate benefit of the College.”
“Dean Clark Stanford has made an indelible mark on the UIC College of Dentistry,” said Dr. Rowan. “He has the unique gift of connecting will all community members – students, faculty, staff, alumni and College partners – with a quiet humility that belies his incredible talents.”
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“Dean Clark Stanford has made an indelible mark on the UIC College of Dentistry. He has the unique gift of connecting will all community members – students, faculty, staff, alumni and College partners – with a quiet humility that belies his incredible talents.”
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Under Dean Stanford’s leadership, philanthropic support to the College has helped renovate public spaces, establish 10 new endowed professorships and chairs, with the inclusion of a novel post-graduate endowment program in orthodontics. The College’s IGNITE campaign has reached 73% of its goal, and NIH funding has doubled since 2016.
“Dean Clark Stanford has been an influential leader for the College since 2014,” said Dr. Barish, MD, MBA, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs at UIC. “During his time as Dean, the College of Dentistry has transformed both in programming and physical space to enhance the experiences of students, faculty, staff, and patients. Through curricular revisions, enhanced degree offerings, and the renovation of the main floor lobby and Pediatric Dentistry Outpatient Care Center, Dean Stanford is leaving an impressive legacy at UIC.”
Dr. Robert Barish Quote Heading link
“Dean Clark Stanford has been an influential leader for the College since 2014. During his time as Dean, the College of Dentistry has transformed both in programming and physical space to enhance the experiences of students, faculty, staff, and patients. Through curricular revisions, enhanced degree offerings, and the renovation of the main floor lobby and Pediatric Dentistry Outpatient Care Center, Dean Stanford is leaving an impressive legacy at UIC.”
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A tremendous gap is left with Dean Stanford’s departure, and the College wishes him the best in this next chapter.
“Dean Stanford has been responsible for the development and professional growth of innumerable faculty during his years at UIC, due to his unquestionable support, wise counsel, and distinctive gift of encouraging excellence while providing the resources to dream big,” said Dr. Rowan. “The UIC College of Dentistry is undeniably a better place because of Dean Clark Stanford.”
“The university and its academic health enterprise are immensely grateful for Dean Stanford’s dedication and strategic approach to enhancing the awareness and programming of the academic, discovery and care delivery mission of the UIC College of Dentistry,” said Dr. Barish.