Howell Ira Strauss

Dr. Strauss received his DMD degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1973, completed a general practice residency at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, and embarked on a joint career in education and private dental practice. In the late 1980s he left private practice to return to school, studying under Michael Glick, DMD; and working as a faculty member in two new HIV+ dental treatment centers for patients at Temple University School of Dentistry and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Strauss has been working with HIV clients ever since.

Assigned to a Section 330 Community Health Center in Chester, PA in 1993 he helped to establish a comprehensive center for HIV care, uniting the primary care clinical disciplines with the social service programs. He remained at the University of Pennsylvania and the Community Health Center until January 1998, when he established, with his public health colleagues, AIDS Care Group. Currently serving as the group’s executive director, dentist, and grant writer, AIDS Care Group is now twenty years old and is staffed by 105 experienced full and part-time providers. A dentist for over 45 years, Dr. Strauss has found his greatest personal and professional satisfaction in utilizing extensive social services and outreach programs to help improve access to and retention in care for poor and disadvantaged groups living with HIV disease. Dr. Strauss is the recipient of the Russell E. Brady Award for Innovative Models in Healthcare Delivery (Washington, DC Ryan White Meeting August 2010). He credits the success of AIDS Care Group to his staff and the responsiveness of the community which they serve.