Dolores G. Clement, Renowned Educator and Philanthropist, Passes Away

Dolores G. Clement, a distinguished educator and leader in healthcare management, passed away peacefully at her home in Richmond, Virginia, on August 21, 2025, following a prolonged battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was surrounded by family during her final moments. Born on March 28, 1949, in Cleveland, Ohio, Clement dedicated her life to healthcare education and philanthropy.

Clement was the daughter of Marjorie Hogue Gurnick and Raymond Stephen Gurnick. She is remembered fondly by her family, including her late husband, Samuel A. Clement, her parents, and her stepdaughter, Karin Denise Grice of Virginia Beach. She is survived by her stepdaughter, Janet Heide Clement, her grandchild Ryan Hunter Grice, and all nine of her siblings, who provided unwavering support during her illness.

Academic Achievements and Professional Contributions

Clement’s academic journey began at Mount St. Joseph College in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she graduated before serving as a volunteer in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone for eight years. During her time there, she discovered her passion for healthcare management while working as an administrative assistant at a cash crop clinic.

Upon returning to the United States, she pursued advanced degrees, earning a Master of Science in Health Systems Management from Rush University in Chicago and a Master of Arts in International Affairs from Ohio University. She later obtained her doctorate in Health Policy and Administration from the University of California, Berkeley.

Her career flourished at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where she spent over three decades in the Department of Health Administration. Clement also held a joint position in the Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, contributing significantly to healthcare education and administration. She retired as the Sentara Professor Emeritus and Career Distinguished Professor, having been recognized with numerous awards for her commitment to teaching and educational leadership.

Clement’s influence extended beyond the classroom. Graduating classes at VCU established a scholarship fund in her name, honoring her dedication to community service. The Association for University Programs in Health Administration recognized her with an award for Educational Leadership, affirming her status as a leader in the healthcare community.

Legacy of Service and Philanthropy

Clement was board certified in healthcare management and served as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). From 2014 to 2017, she acted as ACHE Regent for Central Virginia. Her extensive service included roles on the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education Governing Board, where she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement award for her contributions.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Clement was an accomplished researcher, focusing on community health, Medicare risk contracting, and healthcare benefits. She published numerous articles in academic journals and served on the editorial board of Health Administration Press.

Clement and her husband shared a commitment to philanthropy, establishing charitable funds at the Community Foundation of Richmond and the MCV Foundation for the study of managerial ethics. Their love for travel and community engagement enriched their lives, and they enjoyed a wide network of friends, as well as their rescue pets.

Despite facing health challenges, Clement remained active, undertaking memorable trips to destinations like Iceland and Alaska. Her personal philosophy, captured in five guiding principles, encouraged those around her to live with forgiveness, simplicity, and generosity.

A memorial visitation will be held at Bliley’s Funeral Home in Richmond on September 4 from 16:00 to 19:00. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on September 5 at 11:00, with interment in the church columbarium. A livestream of the service will be available on the funeral home’s website.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a charity of choice or to the Dr. Dolores G. Clement Scholarship Fund at the MCV Foundation at VCU, among other charitable organizations. Clement’s legacy will continue through the many lives she touched and the values she instilled in her students and colleagues.