Remembering Dolores G. Clement: A Pioneer in Healthcare Education
Dolores G. Clement, a prominent figure in healthcare education, passed away peacefully at her home in Richmond, Virginia, on August 21, 2025, following a prolonged battle with metastatic breast cancer. Born on March 28, 1949, in Cleveland, Ohio, she dedicated her life to advancing the field of healthcare management and mentoring future leaders.
Dolores was the beloved wife of Samuel A. Clement, who preceded her in death, along with her parents, Marjorie Hogue Gurnick and Raymond Stephen Gurnick, and her stepdaughter, Karin Denise Grice of Virginia Beach. She is survived by her stepdaughter, Janet Heide Clement, and one grandchild, Ryan Hunter Grice, as well as her extensive family, including all nine of her siblings and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Life of Service and Education
Growing up as the third oldest in a large family, Dolores cultivated a strong sense of community and service. After graduating from Mount St. Joseph College in Cincinnati, she joined the Peace Corps, serving in Sierra Leone for eight years. Her experience there ignited her passion for healthcare management, prompting her to pursue further education.
Dolores earned a Master of Science in Health Systems Management from Rush University and a Master of Arts in International Affairs from Ohio University. She later completed her doctorate in Health Policy and Administration from the University of California, Berkeley. Her academic journey laid the foundation for a distinguished career at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where she spent over three decades in the Department of Health Administration.
Throughout her tenure at VCU, Dolores held various leadership roles, including serving as Associate Dean in the School of Allied Health Professions and directing several graduate programs. Her commitment to education was recognized through numerous awards for excellence in teaching and educational leadership. In a testament to her impact, the graduating classes of 2015 and 2016 established a scholarship fund in her name to honor her dedication to community service.
A Legacy of Leadership
Dolores was widely regarded as a leader within the healthcare community. She was board certified in healthcare management and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), where she served as Regent for Central Virginia from 2014 to 2017. Her contributions to healthcare administration were acknowledged with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), where she also served on the governing board.
Her research focused on critical areas, including Medicare risk contracting, community health, and access to healthcare services. Dolores published extensively in academic journals and contributed to the editorial board of Health Administration Press. Additionally, she provided consulting services in Uzbekistan, further broadening her influence in the field.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dolores and her husband shared a passion for philanthropy, establishing charitable funds at the Community Foundation of Richmond and the MCV Foundation for managerial ethics studies. They enjoyed a vibrant social life, marked by travel, boating, and a love for reading, as well as caring for rescue animals.
Even during her illness, Dolores embraced life with enthusiasm, taking memorable trips to Iceland and Alaska, surrounded by family and friends. She often shared five simple rules for happiness, which reflected her profound outlook on life:
“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 for Dolores will take place at Bliley’s Funeral Home, located at 3801 Augusta Ave., Richmond, on September 4th from 16:00 to 19:00. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for September 5th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, followed by interment in the church columbarium. Those unable to attend can view the service via livestream on www.blileys.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a charity of choice or a random act of kindness in Dolores’s name. Contributions may 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.
