The UI College of Dentistry's Geriatrics and Special Needs Program (GSN), led by Dr. Howard Cowen, was named a recipient of the 2024 University of Iowa Health Care Culturally Responsive Health Care award. This award recognizes health care professionals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and innovation in addressing health disparities among patients or populations through culturally responsive care. 

The GSN program supports and serves comprehensive dental care to ten local nursing homes through the Geriatric Mobile Unit. The program serves a model for other dental schools on providing quality dental care to patients who otherwise may not be able to access it. 

As a large advocate for the needs and preferences of patients from marginalized or underrepresented communities, no other program in the country can match the array of contributions for this special population.

The program was recognized June 6 during the Culturally Responsive Health Care Conference in the Carver College of Medicine.