Dolores G. Clement, a distinguished educator and leader in healthcare management, passed away peacefully at her home in Richmond, Virginia, on August 21, 2025, after a prolonged battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing. Born on March 28, 1949, in Cleveland, Ohio, she was the daughter of Marjorie Hogue Gurnick and Raymond Stephen Gurnick.
Throughout her life, Dolores was a source of strength and inspiration to her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Samuel A. Clement, as well as her parents and stepdaughter, Karin Denise Grice of Virginia Beach. Dolores is survived by her stepdaughter, Janet Heide Clement (Judy McCune) of Herndon, Virginia, and one grandchild, Ryan Hunter Grice of Norfolk. She also leaves behind her nine siblings, numerous cousins, and an extended family of nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews, all of whom provided support during her illness.
A Lifelong Commitment to Healthcare and Education
After completing her education at Mount St. Joseph College in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dolores dedicated eight years of her life to the Peace Corps as a volunteer in Sierra Leone, Africa. There, she served as an administrative assistant at a cash crop clinic, which ignited her passion for healthcare management. Following her service, she pursued further education, earning a Master of Science in Health Systems Management from Rush University in Chicago, as well as a Master of Arts in International Affairs from Ohio University.
Dolores went on to earn her doctorate in Health Policy and Administration from the University of California, Berkeley. Her academic career flourished at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where she spent over three decades in the Department of Health Administration. She held a joint appointment in the Department of Epidemiology and Community Health and served as Associate Dean in the School of Allied Health Professions.
Throughout her time at VCU, Dolores led the MHA and MSHA programs and directed the Dual Degree Graduate Programs, including MHA/MD and MHA/JD. She retired as the Sentara Professor Emeritus and Career Distinguished Professor, having inspired countless students who became lifelong friends and colleagues.
A Legacy of Leadership and Philanthropy
Dolores’s impact extended beyond the classroom. She received numerous accolades for her excellence in teaching and educational leadership. In recognition of her commitment to community service, the MHA graduating classes of 2015 and 2016 established a scholarship fund in her name to support students who demonstrate a commitment to service.
Her contributions to the healthcare community were widely recognized; she was board certified in healthcare management and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). From 2014 to 2017, she served as ACHE Regent for Central Virginia, and she played a significant role in the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), where she received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dolores was also a prolific researcher, focusing on issues such as healthcare benefits, community health, and Medicare risk contracting. She published extensively in academic journals and served on the editorial board of Health Administration Press. Her consulting work included program development in Uzbekistan, demonstrating her commitment to improving healthcare systems globally.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dolores and her husband shared philanthropic interests, establishing charitable funds for managerial ethics studies at the Community Foundation of Richmond and the MCV Foundation. Their love for travel, reading, and animals was evident, as they often enjoyed boating and spent time with their rescue pets.
Dolores remained resilient despite her health challenges in recent years and made memorable trips to destinations like Iceland and Alaska, fulfilling her bucket list with family and friends. She often shared her life philosophy through five simple rules for happiness, which she documented in her journal:
– Free your heart from hatred – Forgive
– Free your mind from worries – Most never happen
– Live simply and appreciate what you have
– Give more
– Expect less
A memorial visitation will occur at Bliley’s Funeral Home, located at 3801 Augusta Ave., Richmond, 23230, on September 4th from 16:00 to 19:00. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 9505 Gayton Rd. on September 5th at 11:00, with interment to follow in the church columbarium. A livestream of the service will be available at www.blileys.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a charity of choice or acts of kindness in Dolores’s name. Contributions can also be made to the Dr. Dolores G. Clement Scholarship Fund at the MCV Foundation at VCU, the Shekleton Clement Families Fund for Gerontologic Studies at Rush University, or St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Richmond, Virginia.
