University of Iowa names Dr. Clark Stanford as new dental school dean

The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics announced Jan. 4 that it named Clark Stanford, D.D.S., Ph.D., as its new dean.

Dr. Stanford, who has served as distinguished professor and dean of the College of Dentistry at the University of Illinois Chicago since 2014, will begin his new role April 1.

“I am very excited that Dr. Stanford will be returning to the University of Iowa, where his distinguished career in academia began and where he contributed so much,” said Kevin Kregel, University of Iowa executive vice president and provost, in a news release. “He is a national leader in the field of dentistry and his record of service and leadership is outstanding.”

Dr. Stanford received a bachelor of science degree in zoology, dental degree and a Ph.D. in cell biology from the University of Iowa. He later received a master’s degree in health care administration from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Dr. Stanford joined the University of Iowa as an assistant professor in the dental school’s department of prosthodontics in 1992. In 2008, he was named associate dean for research. He left Iowa for the University of Illinois Chicago in 2014.

“The ability to return to the University of Iowa and support its mission and vision to provide the best in education, discovery, research, and service to the citizens of Iowa is a great honor,” Dr. Stanford said in a statement. “I am grateful to the UIC students, staff and faculty for the camaraderie, friendship and many lessons I have learned in Chicago. It is an honor to return to my alma mater and be a part of its wonderful future.”