It can be more financially challenging for out-of-state students to attend VCU.

Brent Clark, MHA ‘00, knows it. A Kentucky native, he applied to and attended VCU Health Administration despite the gap between in- and out-of-state tuition.

And so Clark, vice president of capital planning and analytics at HCA Healthcare in Nashville, decided to do something to help those like him. He established the Clark-Moran Scholarship to support students living outside Virginia who want to attend VCU, one of the nation’s top-ranked health care management programs. Inspired by the guidance of mentor and health administrator Pam Moran, Clark transitioned from his initial medical aspirations at the University of Richmond to VCU, where he embraced a path in leadership.

The scholarship helps cover the approximate $12,000 annual tuition gap faced by out-of-state students. Clark wants to raise $300,000 to ensure deserving students can access quality education without the financial strain. 

His decision to create the scholarship stemmed from his own experience navigating significant tuition differences and the mentorship that shaped his career. Clark worked for three years over summers for Moran, then head of strategy, planning and development for a community hospital in Kentucky.

“Naming this crucial scholarship in part to honor Pam Moran, who guided Brent in his decision to go to graduate school, is really a testament to the power of mentorship, which is a core value of VCU’s Health Administration program,” said Paula H. Song, the department’s Richard M. Bracken Chair and professor.

Clark highlights the value of VCU Health Administration program: “Beyond the essential knowledge and understanding of the complex health care landscape, what truly sets this program apart is the invaluable network it provides,” he says. “The connections made through VCU are significant, especially in our industry, which is surprisingly small. Having experienced this firsthand at HCA, I can attest to how these relationships open doors and create opportunities that extend well beyond graduation.”

He is committed to sustaining the scholarship beyond his initial five-year pledge, ensuring future generations can benefit from the same support that guided him in Richmond. 

“This scholarship is not just about bridging a financial gap; it’s about investing in the future of health care leaders,” Clark says. “I believe in the transformative power of education to create meaningful change in our communities.”

By Jenna Clark Embrey